Dear Friends in Christ,
The Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary is Friday, March 19th. I encourage you to make a visit to the side altar of Saint Joseph on that day, and there to pray for all the husbands in our parish. Also, please pray the “Prayer to Saint Joseph for the Diocese of Knoxville” after every Mass from March 19th until the conclusion of the Year of Saint Joseph in December:
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you, Mary placed her trust;
with you, Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us also, show yourself as a father,
and guide us in the path of life.
We seek your fatherly protection during this time of pandemic,
upon the Diocese of Knoxville and all our Sisters and Brothers that surround us in East Tennessee.
Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage,
and defend us from every evil.
We ask this through the intercession of the Holy Family
that you were given to love, protect and guide during your time on earth.
Amen.
Our Lenten journey together as a parish is our opportunity to take bold, brave steps to know each other better. So, for Lent 2021, I’m asking each and every member of our parish to make a commitment to open your copy of our parish directory each and every day of the penitential season, and randomly select one of your fellow parishioners to call. By the end of Lent, you will have gained or strengthened 40 friendships. 40 Days to 40 Friends! I’m praying for great fruitfulness from this penitential exercise.
Passover Triduum schedule (seating restrictions TBD): Maundy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper: 7 pm. Good Friday Celebration of the Lord’s Passion: 7 pm. Holy Night Easter Vigil: 8:30 pm.
Easter Sunday Mass schedule (NOTE CHANGE FROM USUAL SUNDAY SCHEDULE! Seating restrictions TBD): 8 am, 9:30 am, 11 am, 2 pm (Spanish) and 6 pm. Usual Sunday schedule resumes on Divine Mercy Sunday.
In Christ,
Father Shelton