Holy Week

Mary Queen of Heaven Church
5300 W. 24th St.
Cicero, IL 60804
708-863-6608
 

 

An Introduction

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the most sacred week of the Christian Calendar: Holy Week.
 
It is a time in which all Roman Catholic Christians, and Christians of all denominations, spend time in prayer, fasting and meditation on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
I am inviting all who love the Lord to make a conscious effort in making this week Holy through taking time to prepare oneself for God’s divine mysteries.
 
Holy Week is not a production nor is it a show, but a meditation on the historical facts of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ who gave his all to bring us hope and life. The appropriate posture to participate in these events is to consider this week as a retreat. It is important for one be obedient to God by allowing Him to take you back to Jerusalem 32 A.D. and relive all that had once occurred. It will be of the utmost importance to live through as many of the events of the Lords passion as possible in order to truly understand the beauty of our faith in his resurrection.
 
Holy Week is not our gift to God, but God’s gift to us. We are invited to share with Jesus the story of His love. Won’t you join us, and the entire Church, in walking with Jesus as he undertakes and reveals the mysteries of  His Passion, Death and Resurrection. 

 

Preparation of the Heart

 

The following are suggestions for how to prepare to celebrate Holy Week.
 
1.Holy Week is a week long retreat. It is not vacation time. Therefore, if possible, take the time from work to allow yourself to live this experience.

 

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2.If you can’t take the time off from work, decide what events and moments during Holy Week you and your family can attend and participate whole heartedly.

 

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3.Holy Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are days of rest. Make time for naps and rest for you and your family. Do not plan on accomplishing any extraordinary projects at home. Spend time reading the Bible, listening to music or conversing about your faith to your children and family.

 

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4.Do not break the solemnity of the week. No part of the week should be dedicated to parties or festivities not associated with the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. You cannot experience the full power of these events distracted.

 

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5.On Easter Sunday all parishioners should come dressed in their finest cloths i.e. “Your Sunday Best.”
6.

nWe discourage the use of gym shoes, jeans, sports jerseys or garments that are too revealing.

nWe encourage dress shoes, slacks, dresses appropriate for worship, shirt and tie etc. 

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Palm Sunday

 

Saturday
 4:00 p.m.
Confessions – 5:00 p.m.
 
Sunday
8:00 a.m.- (English)
9:30 a.m.- (Spanish- in the Church)
9:45 a.m.- (Spanish- in Gym)
11:00 a.m.- (English)
12:30 p.m.- (Spanish)
12:45 p.m.- (Spanish- in Gym)
4:00 p.m.- (Bi-lingual)
 

 

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Holy Thursday

 

7:00 p.m. Bi-Lingual Mass

We remember Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, the institution of the Eucharist, his subsequent arrest and imprisonment. 
 
8:30 p.m. – Pilgrimage visit to the seven Churches.
Four busses will be waiting for those who wish to join us in making this pilgrimage. You may purchase buss tickets  for $2 if you wish to join us.
 
 8:30 p.m.- 5:00 a.m. The Church will be open for veneration of the Blessed Sacrament. The Psalms will be read. Anyone who wishes to accompany the Lord on the night he spent in prison is welcomed.

 

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Good Friday

 

 

n10:00 a.m. Reenactment of the Way of the Cross
tThe reenactment of the way of the Cross will take place on the corner of Austin and 24th St.
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12:00 p.m. Shout of the Seven Last Words of Jesus. (In the Church)

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3:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross (English- in the Church).

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7:00 p.m. Veneration of the Cross and the Condolence to Mary the Mother of Jesus and Mother of the Church.

 

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Holy Saturday

n10:00 a.m.- Morning Prayer and Decoration of the Church. nHere we come together to pray the psalms that speak about God’s promise to deliver His people. nWe also silently spend the morning decorating the Church as though we were preparing a bride.
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12:00 p.m.- Blessing of the Easter Baskets.

nAt this time the ingredients that will be used to prepare the Easter Supper is blessed.
 
n7:00 p.m.- Celebration of the Easter Vigil

 

 

 

On Holy Saturday night there is a temptation, in our community, of breaking the Holy Week meditation by going  to parties and festivities not associated with Holy Week. This is highly discouraged if it is your intention to grow in appreciation for the true meaning of Easter.
 

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EASTER SUNDAY

The Easter Sunday Mass Schedule is as follows:

 
8:00 a.m.- (English)
9:30 a.m.- (Spanish)
11:00 a.m.- (English)
12:30 p.m.- (Spanish)
4:00 p.m.- (Bi-lingual)
 
Easter is the central mystery of our faith! Christ has conquered death and has restored life so that we may no longer live for ourselves, but for him. For those of us who believe, the hope of a new heaven and a new earth dawned on this day over 2000 years ago.