Let Us Enter Holy Week in Hope

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are entering into Holy Week, perhaps a little shaky with all the changes to our typical reflection, but nonetheless full of faith and hope. It’s likely we are entering this week not unlike Christ did, shaking around on a donkey, anticipating the highs and lows of emotion yet to come. Here at Saint John’s, we have a number of updates to help support your spiritual journey today.

Live-Stream Our Holy Week

Live-stream Our Holy Week Services, beginning tonight! We have the link to our Facebook Live on our website (www.sjolc.org), or just click here to go direct to our Saint John’s Facebook page. Because we have a public page, you don’t need to be a member of Facebook to view our Mass and Services.

Live-stream Schedule for Holy Week

4:30 PM Saturday, April 4: Palm Sunday Mass

7:00 PM Thursday, April 9: Holy Thursday Mass

NOON Friday, April 10: Good Friday Mass

8:00 PM Saturday, April 11: Easter Vigil Mass

8:30 AM Sunday, April 12: Easter Sunday Mass

Food Collection for the Poor

This weekend, we are going to open the Gathering Space for Food Collection for the Poor, from 9:30 AM to Noon this Sunday. There is a table labeled “Food Collection” just inside the door. Franciscan Brothers thank you for helping those most in need during this time.

Giving in Challenging Times

As a parish, we continue to incur operational expenses. Both church and school benefit greatly from the weekly collection offerings from our generous Parishioners. There are three primary ways you can continue to give, even while we're are social distancing:

Give online through Vanco: There are quick-links active on our website’s homepage and Coronavirus sub-page now. Go to stjlc.org/giving
Mail your contribution to the Parish Office: 380 Little Canada Road, Little Canada, MN 55117
Drop check or cash off in the secure lock box at the Parish Office (between the front doors).

Thank you so much for your continued generosity.

Updates to Church Hours

We’ve also gotten direction from the Archdiocese that the faithful can make an appointment to receive Communion one time during the Easter Season; please call me directly to set this up (651-288-3265). We also continue our Holy Week Church Schedule:

Parish Office building closed; staff are checking email and phone regularly
Church building open 8:30 AM to noon Monday through Saturday (closing a little early on Good Friday to prepare for live-stream Service)
Individual Confessions 10:00-11:00 AM Tuesday through Saturday

Additionally, we have been given permission to bring back Eucharistic Adoration, so starting Easter Monday, we will return to this schedule:

Parish Office building closed; staff are checking email and phone regularly
Church building open 8:30 AM to noon Monday through Saturday
Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction 10:00-11:00 AM Monday through Saturday
Individual Confessions 10:00-11:00 AM Tuesday through Saturday
Live-stream Mass on Facebook 4:30 PM Saturday

Social distance best-practices are still in place (no more than 10 individuals in the building at a time, maintain a distance of 6 feet, wash and sanitize your hands, please don’t come if you are sick).

What Else Has Changed?

We have a number of postponements into the rest of April; please check our Church Calendar regularly, as it’s constantly changing during this time of uncertainty.

Virtual Holy Week Retreat

We may be physically separated, but this virtual retreat is a chance for all of us to come together during this high point of our liturgical year. The Virtual Holy Week Retreat begins with Palm Sunday Mass from the Saint Paul Seminary. Morning events begin at 9:00 AM. All events will be live-streamed through Facebook, as well as recorded to watch at your convenience. Please find all the details, including the schedule, topics and speakers including Archbishop Hebda and Bishop Cozzens at www.archspm.org/holyweek.

Catholic Podcasts to Check Out

Pray-As-You-Go

Catholic Stuff You Should Know

The Word on the Hill with the Lanky Guys

Father Mike Schmitz

I am thinking of and praying for all of you in these difficult times of social separation. Let us all bond together in our Faith, remembering Jesus’s ultimate sacrifice that saved us from our sins.