Like so many parts of life these days, Holy Week at St. Gertrude is going to look different this year, with reservations required for many of the liturgies.
Let's start with the most important piece...the liturgy times and details:
Let's start with the most important piece...the liturgy times and details:
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Seating assignments have been distributed for every liturgy via email. On your arrival for the liturgy, you will provide your name and the number of people in your reservation. Ushers will check you in and help you to your seat. Seating will be pre-assigned based upon the reservation size and social distancing requirements within the worship space. On the day of the liturgy, those who have reserved seats must be in their seats 5 minutes before the scheduled starting time of the liturgy or the seats will be forfeited.
Note: Each reservation will be assigned seating together. What will be different this year?Per instructions given by the Archdiocese, the lay faithful will not be participating in processions on Palm Sunday
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The altar will be reposed after the 7:30pm Mass on Holy Thursday. The lay faithful will again not participate in the procession. There will be Adoration at the Mary altar until 10pm.
On Good Friday, the Passion will be sung at the 3pm liturgy and the lay faithful will also remain in their seats for the veneration of the cross.
The lay faithful will also remain in their seats for the fire at the beginning of the Easter Vigil.
Lastly, the candidates for full communion will be received into the church at the 12N Easter Sunday Mass in the church.
On Good Friday, the Passion will be sung at the 3pm liturgy and the lay faithful will also remain in their seats for the veneration of the cross.
The lay faithful will also remain in their seats for the fire at the beginning of the Easter Vigil.
Lastly, the candidates for full communion will be received into the church at the 12N Easter Sunday Mass in the church.
Ushers Needed for Holy Week
The number of liturgies means there is a critical need for ushers to help make sure this can all be done smoothly and safely. We need 4 ushers per liturgy to help with check-in and seating, along with the usual duties of the collection and Communion. With the reservation system and the confirmation notice with pre-assigned seating, this process will be seamless. If you are able to help with the usher duties, please contact Doug Postler at postman8905@gmail.com.
Live-Streaming for Holy Week
We will be extending our live stream experience for Holy Week and Easter and will stream:
- Morning Prayer and the Office of Reading for Holy Thursday at 8am (April 1)
- Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7:30pm (April 1)
- Morning Prayer and the Office of Reading for Good Friday at 8am (April 2)
- Good Friday Celebration of the Lord's Passion at 3pm (April 2)
- Morning Prayer and the Office of Reading for Holy Saturday at 8am (April 3)
- Easter Vigil at 9pm on Saturday (April 3)
- Easter Sunday Mass at 10am (April 4)
- Easter Sunday Mass at 12pm (April 4)
Covid Protocols
As with any entry into a public space during the pandemic, one is acknowledging certain risks. At St. Gertrude, we are doing everything in our power to prevent the spread of COVID and to keep everyone’s health and well-being in mind at all times.
- Per the governor’s order and the directives from the Archbishop, we ask that the faithful wear cloth masks for the sake of the common good. People with breathing difficulties and young children should not wear masks.
- Only friars, sisters, novices, and some staff members will be in the sanctuary and sacristy. There will be just one server and one lector at each liturgy.
Dispensation
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the Archbishop dispenses the faithful from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass and holy days of obligation. This includes Easter Sunday. Please do not come if you are sick or have a heightened concern of exposure to sickness. Those who are vulnerable should consider coming to a less crowded weekday Mass during the Easter season.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
The confession schedule will be as usual through Wednesday 3/31 including the Wednesday evening holy hour. There will be no confession times offered Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday (4/1 - 4/4). Regular schedule resumes on Monday, April 5th.
