Holy Week services set at cathedral

Staff report

youngstown

About 1,000 people representing the 104 parishes and two missions of the six-county Catholic Diocese of Youngstown will demonstrate the unity of the diocesan Church when they gather at St. Columba Cathedral, 154 W. Wood St., for the traditional Mass of Holy Chrism at 10:30 a.m. Holy Thursday.

Bishop George V. Murry will be principal celebrant and concelebrate with diocesan consultors and deans.

Each parish is invited to bring a banner depicting that parish, to be carried in procession at the opening of the celebration.

One 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. Each pastor will receive Sacred Chrism and the other Holy Oils for use in his parish.

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

Also on Holy Thursday, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at 6 p.m. with the Rev. John E. Keehner, cathedral rector, as principal celebrant, and the Rev. Edward Brienz, cathedral vice-rector.

After Mass, the cathedral will remain open for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Doors will close at 9 p.m. Security will be provided.

On Good Friday, Bishop Murry will celebrate the Lord’s Passion at 3 p.m. The annual collection for the Holy Land will be taken. Funds help preserve the holy places of Christ’s homeland and helps alleviate suffering of the poor of every faith there.

At 8 p.m. Holy Saturday, the Easter vigil will be celebrated by Bishop Murry, Father Brienz and the Rev. Edward Neroda, pastor of St. Stanislaus Church.

Easter Sunday Masses will be at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. with Father Keehner. The Cathedral Choir will sing at the 12:30 p.m. liturgy.

The Sacrament of Penance will be available at the cathedral from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. A communal penance service will be at 7 p.m. Monday.