A Note From Father Eickhoff
April 13, 2025
Holy Week is now here.
This is the most important week of the Christian year. And, since it is the most important week, this time is filled with traditions that help to set this week apart from every other week of the year. I would like to suggest you practice a few of these traditions to you so that you may elevate in your own life this week that is above all other weeks of the year.
The first tradition is the practice of Morning Prayer on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. On these three days the Church does not have a morning Mass. Instead, the Christian faithful are encouraged to gather together and pray what is called the Liturgy of the Hours. The Liturgy of the Hours is the daily prayer of the Church that is especially prayed by priests, deacons, and religious. However, it is not limited to persons in those three categories. Everyone is encouraged to pray all or part of the Liturgy of the Hours. On these three days here at St. Anne Parish we will pray the Morning Prayer section of the Liturgy of the Hours together in the church at 8am. Prayer booklets will be provided.
The second tradition is the practice of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday evening after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. On this evening many churches remain open after the Mass and the Blessed Sacrament is left exposed for adoration until midnight. This provides a fine opportunity for prayer before Easter Sunday. This tradition is also a great way to visit other Catholic parishes and to pray with and speak with other Catholics. In today’s bulletin there is more information about the seven churches tradition as well as a listing of the locations and adoration times of all our neighboring parishes.
The third tradition is the blessing of food meant to be eaten on Easter Sunday. The Easter Sunday meal is of course a wonderful opportunity for a family get together. It should also be a celebration of the goodness of the Lord in our lives. Having the Easter meal blessed is a way to acknowledge God’s action in our lives and of asking for His continued blessing. There will be a blessing of Easter food at St. Anne Parish on Saturday, April 19th at 12.30pm.
One final note. Please be aware that the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday, April 19th at 7.30pm is the highest, most beautiful, and holiest Mass of the year. This is the Mass in which adults who have been striving to prepare for full initiation into the Church receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and holy eucharist. This Mass is also the longest Mass of the year, and I fully expect it to run at least two hours if not more. The Easter Sunday Masses will run a more normal period of time.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Stephen Eickhoff
Pastor