First the Fast, then the Feast
March 23, 2021
May our time in the desert bring us closer to the image of Christ
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Due to the fact that our bulletin has been up and running for a while now, I feel that the time has come for me to stop sending out the Pastor’s Notes as a separate entity. The plan is that starting next week, we will send the link to the bulletin out to all of you, so that you can keep updated and informed. Hopefully, this will be a smooth transition. Now, getting down to some important announcements as well as the Holy Week and Easter schedules …
As some of the more observant of you have noticed, I have been hobbling around for quite awhile due to knee pain. I have been dealing with this for over ten years and after trying all of the different remedies the time has come to accept the fact that I must get a total knee replacement. I will be undergoing this surgery in mid-April, therefore I will be away from the parish for 6-8 weeks for surgery, rehab and physical therapy. During my time away, Fr. Kris Lewandowski will be here to help out. Many of you will remember Fr. Lewandowski, as he was the Parochial Vicar here several years ago. God bless you and thank you for any prayers you can offer for a successful surgery and quick healing!
Also, you may have noticed that we did not do an “Easter Mailing” this year. I would therefore like to take the opportunity here to wish all of you a very happy and holy Easter. Our Lenten journey is finally nearing its end and hopefully our journey of self-denial and penance has been a fruitful one. We are continually involved in spiritual warfare for our very souls (whether we realize it or not), and penance, fasting and abstinence are good ways for us to be better prepared for the battle! There is an old saying: “First the fast, then the feast.” As we finish with the rigors of Lent, we know that the great Feast, Easter, is right around the corner! By His death and resurrection, Our Lord has truly saved us from the darkness of death and promises us the light of eternal life if we will but heed His invitation and follow Him. May God bless you all on this holiest of weeks and most especially on the day of His glorious resurrection from the dead!
Announcements
THE BLESSED SACRAMENT WILL NOT BE EXPOSED THIS THURSDAY, MARCH 25, DUE TO PREPARATIONS TAKING PLACE INSIDE THE PLC FOR THE CHRISM MASS.
HOLY WEEK & EASTER SCHEDULE:
CONFESSION:
Wednesday, March 31, 7:00 p.m.:
Parish Penance Service. If you have not yet done so, this would be a great opportunity to complete an important part of your Easter duty.
Friday, April 2, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.:
Please be in line BY 2:30 p.m. at the latest.
Holy Saturday, April 3:
We will NOT have Confession time scheduled on Holy Saturday.
HOLY THURSDAY, April 1, 7:00 p.m.:
Mass of the Last Supper with Bishop Vasa. Adoration follows in the church until midnight.
GOOD FRIDAY, April 2:
There are several options. Please read the following so that you may choose the one you would like to attend.
12:30 p.m. Good Friday Devotions:
Dn. Michael Heinzelman will preside. The devotions are as follows: Stations of the Cross, The Seven Last Words and the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.
3:30 p.m. Good Friday Service (Latin/Extraordinary Form):
Fr. Jeffrey Keyes will preside over this Traditional Good Friday Service as per the 1962 Missal.
7:00 p.m. Good Friday Service (English/Ordinary Form):
Bishop Vasa will preside. “The Passion of the Lord” - we begin with the Liturgy of the Word, followed by the Veneration of the Holy Cross and Holy Communion.
HOLY SATURDAY, April 3, 7:30 p.m.:
Vigil Mass with Bishop Vasa. There will be no 4:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. Masses on Holy Saturday, April 3. Also, our usual Confession Schedule on this day is cancelled.
EASTER SUNDAY, April 4:
7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 a.m., 12:00 noon, 1:30 (Latin), 5:30 p.m. and (Spanish) 7:00 p.m.
Please see the Palm Sunday bulletin for more information about our Holy Week schedule (Tenebrae, Lauds, etc.)
Easter Flower Memorial envelopes: Please legibly fill out the names of loved ones and return your envelopes to the Parish Office (if you did not return them to the collection basket) by 12:00 noon, this Wednesday, March 24, to be listed in the Easter Sunday bulletin. Names on envelopes received after this deadline will be listed in subsequent bulletins.
Chrism Mass: On Thursday, March 25th, at 5:30 pm, Bishop Vasa, along with the Diocesan and Religious priests of the Diocese, will offer the Chrism Mass, in which the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Chrism are blessed. Seating will be very limited inside. The Mass will be live-streamed and outside seating will be available.
Crab Feed: The St. Eugene Elementary School will be holding a take-out Crab & Chowder Dinner on Friday, March 26, from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. in front of the Msgr. Becker Center.. Dinner will include 3/4 lb. Crab with cocktail sauce, a clam chowder bowl, Caesar salad, bread roll with butter and a cookie. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through the school office (545-7252) and the Parish Office (542-6984).
Thrift Shop: We are happy to announce that the St. Eugene Thrift Shop is now open for business. For the month of March, it will only be open on three Wednesdays (17th, 24th, and 31st) 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. In April, the regular schedule of Tuesday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m, will resume.
Parish Finances in the Age of Covid
As you all know, these are hard times for all parishes in terms of finances. Even though we are “shut down,” the bills keep coming in and salaries have to be paid. For those of you who have been giving a little extra each week/month, I really appreciate your generosity. For those of you who are unable to come to Mass, please consider giving on-line or the good old-fashioned way, by mail. Thank you and God bless you. Learn more »
Fiscal Year to Date:
Income: N/A
In the black: N/A
Thank you for your generosity!!
Please support our advertisers.
Let them know that you saw their listing in the Pastor’s Notes.
