St. Columba Cathedral sets schedule for Holy Week

YOUNGSTOWN — About 1,000 people representing the 115 parishes of the six-county Catholic Diocese of Youngstown will demonstrate the unity of the diocesan church when they gather at St. Columba Cathedral, 159 W. Rayen Ave., for the traditional Mass of Holy Chrism at 10:30 a.m. Holy Thursday. The Most Reverend George V. Murry, bishop of Youngstown, will preside. Priests concelebrating in the sanctuary will include diocesan consultors and deans.

Each parish is invited to bring a banner depicting that parish, and the banner will be carried in procession at the opening of the celebration. Banners will be displayed during Mass. An important aspect of the Chrism Mass focuses on the annual renewal of the diocesan and religious priests in their commitment to priestly service.

A focus of the Holy Thursday service will be the consecration of the Sacred Chrism and blessing of the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens. At the close of Mass, each pastor will receive Sacred Chrism and the other Holy Oils for use in his parish.

Additional parking will be available at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Youngstown. Shuttle service and security will be provided.

The Ecumenical Television Network will air the Chrism Mass at 8 p.m. Holy Thursday and at 9 a.m. Good Friday.

Also on Holy Thursday, the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at 6 p.m. with the Rev. John E. Keehner, cathedral rector, as principal celebrant. After Mass, the cathedral will remain open for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 9 p.m.

Other Holy Week services at the cathedral are:

Good Friday, Father Keehner will celebrate the Lord’s Passion at 3 p.m. During this service, the annual collection for the Holy Land, which helps preserve the holy places of Christ’s homeland and helps alleviate suffering of the poor of every faith in the Holy Land, takes place.

Holy Saturday, the Easter Vigil Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Murry at 8 p.m.

Easter Sunday, Masses will be at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Edward Brienz, cathedral vice rector, as celebrant and at 12:30 p.m. with Father Keehner as celebrant. The Cathedral Choir will sing at the 12:30 p.m. liturgy.

The sacrament of penance will be available from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and a communal penance service will be at 7 p.m. Monday. No confessions will be heard after Wednesday of Holy Week.