Easter 2024

Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 14th
6:30am Word Service with distribution of Ashes at QR
8:15am Mass of the Day with distribution of Ashes at SJE
11:00am to 1:00pm Drive-Up Service in front of Tasty Catering (1900 Touhy Ave)
12:15pm Word Service with distribution of Ashes at SJE
4:00pm Evening Mass with distribution of Ashes at SJE
7:00pm Evening Mass with distribution of Ashes at QR

Stations of the Cross
Prayed weekly on Fridays at 6:00pm followed by a light Lenten supper:
February 16^th, February 23^rd, March 1^st at SJE
March 8^th, March 15^th, March 22^nd at QR (March 15^th Spaghetti Dinner by Parents Club)

Parish Lenten Mission
Eucharistic Miracles of the World Exhibit
Saturday, March 9th - Wednesday, March 13th
Sat 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Sun 8:40am - 10:45am
Mon 8:00am - 8:00pm
Tue 10:00am - 8:00pm
Wed 8:00am - 8:00pm

Be Transformed: Life and Healing in the Eucharist
Monday, March11th - Wednesday, March 13th
7:00pm nightly at SJE

Palm Sunday
Sunday, March 24th
5:00pm Saturday (March 23rd) Anticipated Liturgy with distribution of Palms at SJE
8:00am with distribution of Palms at QR
9:15am with distribution of Palms at SJE (Please note: at the 9:15am Mass, we will be doing the First Form: Procession and Mass will begin outside in the Joseph Garden on the West side of the Church. We are not able to livestream or otherwise project audio or video of the celebration outside, so the assembly is encouraged, if you are able, to join us for the beginning of Mass in the Joseph Garden and follow the procession into Church.)
10:30am with distribution of Palms at QR

Holy Week
Monday, March 25^th to March 29^th
Daily Mass will be celebrated as usual on Holy Monday (SJE), Holy Tuesday (QR) and Holy Wednesday (SJE) at 8:15am. On Holy Thursday (QR), Good Friday (SJE) and Holy Saturday (QR) we will have in-person morning prayer at 8:15am.

Seven Last Words of Christ
Tuesday, March 26^th, 7:00pm, SJE

Triduum
Holy Thursday of the Lord’s Supper, March 28th
7:00pm at SJE

7 Churches Visitation
Holy Thursday, March 28^th (bus departs SJE following 7pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper)

Friday of the Lord’s Passion, March 29th
3:00pm Good Friday Service at QR
7:00pm Living Stations at SJE*

Blessing of Food Baskets
Holy Saturday, March 30th 10:30am SJE

Resurrection of the Lord
Easter Vigil Mass, Saturday, March 30th, 7:30pm at QR

Sunday, March 31st
8:00am QR
9:15am SJE
10:30am QR

Faith in Action. Your gift at Easter and all year long supports the important ministry of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament and allows us to continue bringing healing, hope and hospitality to our parish family and the greater community. Complete the form below to make a donation through our Online Giving platform, look for your Easter envelope in the mail or mark any envelope EASTER to make a donation this Easter.

Thank you for your generosity!

Speaking of prayer, Pope Francis says, “Christian prayer, like all Christian life, is not a ‘walk in the park.’ None of the great people of prayer we meet in the Bible and in the history of the Church found prayer ‘comfortable.’ Yes, one can pray like a parrot [repeat memorized prayer from rote] but that is not prayer. Prayer certainly gives great peace, but through inner struggle, at times hard, which can accompany even long periods of life.” But, the Holy Father also reminds us that, “Prayer works miracles, because prayer goes directly to the heart of the tenderness of God, who cares for us like a father.”

Building an intentional habit of prayer can inspire, challenge, encourage, strengthen and grow our relationship with the Lord. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament offers resources and opportunities for prayer during Lent to help us build that intentional habit.

Fasting during Lent is a practice that involves abstaining from certain foods or limiting the amount of food eaten. We observe this practice as a way to prepare for Easter and to deepen our spiritual life.

During Lent, Catholics aged 18-59 and in reasonable health are required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This means that we can have one full meal and two smaller meals that, when combined, do not equal the size of the full meal. Additionally, Catholics 14 and older are required to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays during Lent.

The purpose of fasting during Lent is not to punish the body, but to discipline it in order to focus more on spiritual matters. By denying ourselves certain foods or limiting the amount we eat, we are reminded of the sacrifices made by Jesus and the importance of spiritual nourishment.

While fasting during Lent is required for certain days, some Catholics may choose to fast voluntarily throughout the season. This can take many forms, such as giving up a favorite food or drink, limiting screen time, or committing to daily acts of charity.

Overall, fasting during Lent is a meaningful practice that helps us prepare for Easter and deepen our relationship with God.

Almsgiving, or the act of giving to those in need, is an important practice during the season of Lent. Helping those in need—providing food, shelter, clothing and other necessities to those who would otherwise go without—is one way we reflect the generosity of God and in turn grow closer to Him. Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament has chosen to collect funds to provide life-giving water to a community in need in Cameroon, the birthplace of our Associate Pastor, Fr. Louis Mboe.