This week is Holy Week, the highest week of the Liturgical Year.

I know there are many things that make demand on our time, but I strongly encourage you to take some time to prayerfully enter into this Holy Week.

Perhaps, try cutting out unnecessary distractions this week: maybe intentionally minimize your screen time, TV, social media, etc. Or if you do watch a movie this week, watch a religious one – about a Saint or about Jesus. I would highly recommend the free TV show, “The Chosen,” about the twelve Apostles hearing their call to follow Jesus. You can watch free online watch.angelstudios.com.

And make some time for prayer.

This week:

Holy Thursday will be at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s, Ackley

Good Friday will be at 7 p.m. at St. Patrick’s, Hampton

Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil) will be at 8:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s in Hampton.

I especially want to strongly encourage and invite you all to attend Easter Vigil. I know it’s a late and long service but it really is the climax of our liturgical year, to really experience Christ’s Resurrection as the light in our darkness, the living waters, and the Saving Word of God.

Also, at the end of Easter Vigil there will be CHEESECAKE! We will have a little party with food at the end of Easter Vigil, to celebrate our Lord’s Resurrection! And if you attend Saturday night, it counts as your Easter Mass.

Easter Sunday services will be at our normal Sunday Mass times.

Also, at 8 a.m. Easter Morning Mass in Ackley, we will have two people be formally joining the Catholic Church. Please keep Peyton Walters and Seth Kloetzer in your prayers as they prepare to be joined to full Communion with the Catholic Church.

Peace,

– Fr. Kevin