Holy Week & Easter 2024
Please note the Parish Office will be closed Thursday, March 28th - Monday, April 1st.
Palm Sunday (March 24th)
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Join us in celebrating the beginning of Holy Week with Palm Sunday Masses. The palms, provided in the Gathering Space, will be blessed during Mass in remembrance of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, where palm branches were placed in his path as he entered the city.
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The 10am Mass on Palm Sunday will begin outside with a procession.
Please park as you normally would and meet the congregation in front of the Residence at St. Peter’s (415 Fifth Avenue — the Senior’s residence next to St. Peter Academy), where Mass will begin. The opening prayers and Gospel reading will be followed by a procession up Fifth Avenue to finish Mass in the Church. All are invited and encouraged to participate!
Those attending the 10am Mass who are unable to participate may wait in the church.
Monday (March 25th)
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This Mass takes place at the Cathedral Basilica of Sacred Heart in Newark.
Holy Thursday (March 28th)
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Please join us in a morning prayer led by one of various presiders.
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Please join us in a midday prayer led by one of various presiders.
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Join us in celebrating Holy Thursday with the Lord’s Supper, also known as the Last Supper, the night before Jesus’ crucifixion in which he instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist. During this Mass, in remembrance of Jesus’ actions, and in accordance with His words to do for each other what He has done for us, a few parishioners will participate in a foot washing.
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Immediately following the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, with the procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Parish Center, join us in an evening of adoration until midnight. This event provides the opportunity to pray in the presence of Jesus who is physically present within the Eucharist.
Good Friday (March 29th)
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Please join us in a morning prayer led by one of various presiders.
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Join us in prayer as we follow Jesus’ passion through the stations present in the Church, from Him carrying His cross until His death.
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Join us in the solemn remembrance of Jesus’ Passion. This Mass provides the opportunity to genuflect and pay respect to the cross and the sacrifice that Jesus made for our salvation.
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Join us in an evening of Taizé prayer — a form of simple meditative worship guided by music, silence, and readings to dwell on Christ’s presence constantly around and within us.
Holy Saturday (March 30th)
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Please join us in a morning prayer led by one of various presiders.
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Join us in the blessing of your Easter food. You’re invited to bring your Easter baskets of meats, breads, decorated eggs, jelly beans, chocolates, etc. to be blessed by Fr. AJ in the chapel.
The custom of blessing food for Easter arose from the discipline of fasting throughout Lent and the special Easter fast during the Triduum. Easter was the first day when meat, eggs, and other foods could again be eaten.
Swieconka (sh-vee-soon-kah) is one of the most enduring and beloved Eastern European traditions. Baskets containing a sampling of Easter food are brought to the church to be blessed on Holy Saturday. The basket is traditionally lined with a white linen or lace napkin and decorated with sprigs of boxwood, the typical Easter evergreen. Special pride is taken in preparing a decorative and tasteful basket with crisp linens, occasionally embroidered for the occasion, and just enough boxwood and ribbon woven through the handle. Observing the foods and creations of other parishioners is one of the special joys of the event.
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Join us in a beautiful Mass which will not only includes the joyful celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, but the reading of a multitude of Old Testament passages that lead to Christ’s return. The Mass begins with a procession with the new Church candle and includes the bestowing of sacraments upon this year’s catechumens.
Easter Sunday (March 31st)
Easter Sunday Masses (8am, 10am & 12pm)
*Got bells? In keeping parish tradition, bring your bells to the Holy Thursday and Easter Vigil Masses for the uplifting “ringing of the bells” at special times during the music!