Holy Week & Easter 2025
Please note the Parish Office will be closed Thursday, April 17th @ 12pm - Monday, April 21st.
Palm Sunday (April 13th)
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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. (This includes the Saturday 5pm Mass).
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The 10am Mass on Palm Sunday will begin outside with a procession.
Please arrive at least 10 minutes early and 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 (April 14th)
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Confessions are available 20 minutes before daily mass during Lent.
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Join for daily mass.
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This Mass takes place at the Cathedral Basilica of Sacred Heart in Newark.
Tuesday (April 15th)
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Confessions are available 20 minutes before daily mass during Lent.
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Join for daily mass.
Wednesday (April 16th)
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Confessions are available 20 minutes before daily mass during Lent.
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Join for daily mass.
Holy Thursday (April 17th)
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Please join us in a morning 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, 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 (April 18th)
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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 service 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 (April 19th)
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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 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 outside with a procession with the new Church candle and includes the bestowing of sacraments upon this year’s catechumen, Jesse.
Reminder: There is no 5pm Mass on Holy Saturday!
Easter Sunday (April 20th)
Easter Sunday Masses (8am, 10am with livestream & 12pm)
*Got bells? In keeping parish tradition, bring your bells to the Holy Thursday and Easter Vigil Masses for the “ringing of the bells”