2021 Holy Week Schedule

A Message from the Administrator for Holy Week followed by the Cathedral Holy Week Schedule.

As anyone with any religious sensitivity will know, it is contrary to the very nature of sacred worship that the doors of a church should be closed on the people for whom it is offered; it is not called public worship for nothing! However, here we are at our second Easter without the presence of the people.

We are very aware that remote participation cannot compare any comparable way to participation in the Church’s worship in person. Day and daily people ask us when the churches will be open (for Mass). Of course, we have no idea; it’s hard to see that the government has any idea either.

In the face of mounting frustration and impatience, how are we to temper our minds and souls to prayerfully enter into Holy Week and the principal liturgical celebrations of the Christian year? I would encourage you, at the beginning of this week, to step back and think a little about how you and your family can mark the various days of the Easter Triduum meaningfully. Obviously, I encourage you to participate over the webcam or Facebook, but it would be good to prepare well to do this. Here are some ideas:

Palm Sunday: Place an evergreen branch on your door to mark the day; perhaps you and your family could have a simple procession from your garden to the house as we bless palms at the Cathedral.

Holy Thursday: If you join the Chrism Mass, write a list of Priests you know or have known that you would like to pray for, especially at the renewal of priestly promises; you could have a small bowl of olive oil to remind you of your baptismal anointing and your confirmation to re-commit yourself to your mission as an active, believing member of the parish and its mission.

Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper: Have a bowl and a towel ready as a symbol; you could even wash one another’s feet at home! During this Mass, renew your determination to return to Mass when possible, and think over how vital the Mass is for any believing Catholic. Set aside some time to watch with the Lord that evening via the webcam, perhaps lighting a candle in a darkened room.

Good Friday: Have a crucifix to hand, with candles ready to be lit at the appropriate moment to perform adoration of the cross at home in union with our Cathedral celebration.

Holy Saturday: Gather in darkness and light a candle in union with the Cathedral celebration at the appropriate moment; you could have one large candle and light several small ones from it. Be attentive to the readings: at the Easter Vigil they provide a wide sweep of salvation history, from the creation to the resurrection. Have some Holy Water to hand so that you can renew your baptismal promises at the appropriate moment. Renew your Eucharistic faith and hunger at the Consecration of the Mass.

Easter Sunday: Have some Holy Water ready to join the renewal of baptismal promises. Renew your baptismal promises consciously and deliberately.

We wish you a blessed celebration of the Easter Triduum. God willing, we will celebrate it together happily and joyfully next year.

Fr. Kevin Gillespie, Administrator

MASSES AND SERVICES FOR HOLY WEEK (BEHIND CLOSED DOORS)

PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD
Mass Times: 6 pm (vigil), 8 am, 10 am and 12 noon
(Blessed Palms will be available from the Cathedral on Sunday afternoon)

Masses: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – 8 am, 10 am and 7 pm

HOLY THURSDAY ~ 1st April
11 am ~ Chrism Mass
7 pm ~ Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
(The Cathedral will be open for private prayer from 9 pm – Midnight)

GOOD FRIDAY ~ 2nd April
10 am ~ Office of Readings
12 noon ~ Stations of the Cross followed by Divine Mercy Chaplet to begin the Novena of Divine Mercy
3 pm ~ Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
7 pm ~ Prayer around the Cross

HOLY SATURDAY ~ 3rd April
10 am ~ Office of Readings
3 pm ~ Divine Mercy Chaplet from the Divine Mercy Centre, Letterkenny
(Streaming on their Facebook Page & mobile tab on the Cathedral website)
9 pm ~ Easter Vigil

EASTER SUNDAY ~ 4th April
Masses: 8 am, 10 am and 12 noon
3 pm ~ Divine Mercy Chaplet from the Divine Mercy Centre, Letterkenny
(Streaming on their Facebook Page & mobile tab on the Cathedral website)