Church guide

HAPPY EASTER! He has Risen! Yes it is still the Easter solemnity, in fact did you know that it lasts for eight days! To find out more about the Easter Octave click below.

Alleluia! He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Happy Easter!

All of creation waits in silence.

“From twelve o’clock until three o’clock there was an unearthly darkness that fell over the land, for nature, in sympathy with its Creator, refused to shed its light upon the crime of deicide. Humankind, having condemned the Light of the World, now lost the cosmic symbol of the Light, the sun. At Bethlehem, where he was born at midnight, the heavens were suddenly filled with light; at Calvary, when he entered into the ignominy of His crucifixion at midday, the heavens were bereaved of light.” - Archbishop Fulton Sheen

"He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, 'Master, are you going to wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to him, 'What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.'"

So it begins... Triduum Liturgy Schedule: Holy Thursday, April 18, 7:00 pm (approximately 2 hours) Following Mass, Adoration will take place at the repository in the St. John Paul the Great Room until midnight. Adoration will continue in the Adoration Chapel until 6:00 am on Good Friday morning. Good Friday, April 19, 2:00 pm (approximately 2 hours) Living Stations of the Cross immediately after Liturgy (30-40 min.) Easter Vigil, April 20, 9:00 pm, (approximately 3 hours) — with incense Doors open at 8:00 pm Easter Sunday, April 21, 9:00 am and 11:00 am

Parking for the Triduum ♦ Additional parking is available at the Domino’s Farms Lobby A lot EXCEPT ON GOOD FRIDAY. ♦ Parking on Good Friday: Overflow parking is available at Father Gabriel Richard High School or the Park & Ride at Plymouth and US-23. Please consider carpooling from either location. ♦ Park only in designated parking spots. ♦ Avoid fire lanes; Township authorities may be monitoring emergency access during the Triduum. ♦ Parking on Ave Maria Drive is not allowed.

Fasting and Abstinence are to be observed on Good Friday. Fasting: The law of fasting requires Latin Rite Catholics from the 18th birthday to the 59th birthday (i.e., have not yet reached their 60th year) to reduce the amount of food eaten from normal. The Church defines this as one meal a day and two smaller meals which, if added together, would not exceed the main meal in quantity. Fasting is obligatory on Good Friday. Abstinence: All persons who have completed their 14th year are bound by the law of abstinence. Abstinence from meat is obligatory on Good Friday. Those who are excused from fasting and abstinence, besides those outside the age limits, include the sick or those with some other medical reason, the frail, and pregnant or nursing women.

"As he rode along, the people were spreading their cloaks on the road; and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began to praise God aloud with joy for all the mighty deeds they had seen. They proclaimed: 'Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.'"

Family Fitbits returns this Sunday morning! -- All those who are married, married with kids, and single with kids are invited this Sunday to "Family Fitbits": tips, tricks, and practicals for common family challenges. This Sunday's topic will be "Today's Tough Topics: Talking to your kids about all that difficult stuff!" So grab your coffee and donuts in the gym, leave your kids (if you have them) with our free childcare, and join us in Parish Center Room 3 after the 9 am Mass (around 10:20 am). Sponsored by the CTK Marriage & Family Commission.

Triduum Liturgy Schedule: Holy Thursday, April 18, 7:00 pm (approximately 2 hours) Following Mass, Adoration will take place at the repository in the St. John Paul the Great Room until midnight. Adoration will continue in the Adoration Chapel until 6:00 am on Good Friday morning. Good Friday, April 19, 2:00 pm (approximately 2 hours) Living Stations of the Cross immediately after Liturgy (30-40 min.) Easter Vigil, April 20, 9:00 pm, (approximately 3 hours) — with incense Doors open at 8:00 pm Easter Sunday, April 21, 9:00 am and 11:00 am

Needing to go to confession? TONIGHT @ 7pm there is a Lenten Communal Penance Service at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Prepare yourself to celebrate the Triduum in the best way possible!

Inspiration Monday!

It may have taken a team of Alpha volunteers. It may have involved several members of his family. It may have been kept secret for weeks. All Ken Bogan really knows is that when he arrived at work one brisk Monday morning, there was no present like the present moment! Happy April Fool's Day!

The staff had a wonderful time today celebrating Fr. Ed’s birthday. How blessed we are to have him as our Shepherd!

Alpha is in full swing and we need additional help with childcare for both Sunday night Alpha sessions (6:15-8:30 pm) and the Alpha "Day Away" Retreat on April 5-6. If you are a teen or a Virtus-trained adult, we can use you! Sign-Up for Sunday here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054fafa628abfb6-alpha Sign-Up for Alpha "Day Away" here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054fafa628abfb6-alpha

LADIES! The men did a great job helping make the women's retreat possible. We'd like to return the favor and ask for volunteers to help make the men's retreat a success! If you're able, please sign up below to help serve the men. Teens are also welcome to sign up. Thanks! Questions? Contact Aimee at [email protected].

David Mangan will be leading worship on Friday, March 29 of the Men's Retreat! If you haven't registered yet NOW is the time! https://www.ctkcc.net/mr19/

Upper Room Praise & Worship Pondering, 8/10/18: Tonight was a night of healing. "Do not be afraid of your brokenness. I will come and meet you there."

Praise & Worship Pondering, 1/6/17: Jesus is as present in the Blessed Sacrament as He was in the manger 2000 years ago. We can celebrate Christmas every time He becomes flesh and blood in the Eucharist. Come, let us adore Him!