March 28
Dear St Andrew Community,
It is with great disappointment that I must inform you about the following regarding Holy Week and Easter. Please be attentive to the Bishop’s letter that he sent to the priests of the diocese.
My Brothers in Christ:
Peace be with you. In consultation with the bishops of Florida, our priests and others, I encourage you and your parishioners to join me via livestream during Holy Week for our liturgical celebrations: the Chrism Mass, the Sacred Paschal Triduum – Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Passion of the Lord, and the Easter Vigil.
Easter Sunday Mass will be broadcast from St. James Cathedral at 12:30 p.m. throughout the Diocese on WFTV-Channel 9. Invite your parishioners to participate in Holy Week through these streamed opportunities. Provide them with spiritual resources and guidance so they are able to participate as best as possible, even though remotely.
Social distancing is a sacrifice, especially when we consider reception of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. No distance is greater than the closeness God gave us through His Son who died for us that we might have the greatest distance, everlasting life.
Pray with me. You are ever present in my heart.
Holy Week Directives:
Palm Sunday
- Live-streaming of Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion is allowed.
- Palms may be blessed on Palm Sunday but they are to be distributed at a later date when public liturgies resume and people are allowed to gather.
- The Passion on Palm Sunday can be read by a deacon or priest alone.
Triduum Liturgies
Triduum liturgies will be broadcast throughout the diocese from St. James Cathedral.
(web links will be forthcoming for you to share with your parishioners.)
Chrism Mass, Wednesday, April 8, 6:30 p.m.
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Thursday, April 9, 7:00 p.m.
Passion of Our Lord, Friday, April 10, 3:00 p.m.
At the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter, April 11, 8:00 p.m.
Resurrection of the Lord, The Mass of Easter Day, April 12, 12:30 p.m. aired on WFTV Ch. 9 (priests are able to livestream from parishes as you also deem appropriate)
Sincerely yours in Christ
Most Reverend John Noonan
Bishop of Orlando
Join us in our celebration of the Eucharist for Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020 on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/St-Andrew-Catholic-Community-494812197673244/. I will let you know in the coming week what time Palm Sunday Mass will be available for viewing.
Always, may God’s peace be yours,
Fr. Leo
Thank you to all those who have mailed your offertory to the church or used the diocese’s online link to make a donation. Your offertory is greatly appreciated! Mailing your offertory is easy, simply seal your offertory envelope and place a stamp on it. It is already addressed to the church. To donate online, please go to this link https://www.orlandodiocese.org/landing/ and click on the yellow button labeled “Donations to your Parish”. Then follow the prompts to make your donation. Thank you!
