Bishop Checchio to preside at Holy Week and Easter Services throughout Diocese of Metuchen

The Most Reverend James F. Checchio, Bishop of Metuchen, will preside at Holy Week and Easter liturgies and services at the following locations. All are welcome and encouraged to participate.

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Sunday, April 14
9 a.m. – Immaculate Conception Parish, 316 Old Allerton Rd., Annandale, NJ 08801
11 a.m. – St. Ann Parish, 32 Main St., Hampton, NJ 08827

• On this day, Catholics celebrate the joyous entrance of Christ into the City of Jerusalem and, soon after, we will celebrate His crucifixion and remember He will rise on Easter Day. 
• Palms are blessed at Mass and are available to the faithful.

Chrism Mass 
Monday, April 15
4 p.m. – Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, 548 Main St., Metuchen, NJ 08840

• At this Mass, priests from across the four-county diocese will gather in unity with the bishop and make their Renewal of Commitment to Priestly Service. Priests who are celebrating significant anniversaries will be recognized. The bishop will bless the oils used for Sacraments, our encounters with Christ, including: blessing of the sick, preparation for those who will receive baptism, confirmation and orders of the priesthood as well as the dedication of sacred altars.
• Watch live broadcast via https://diometuchen.org/holy-week-at-the-cathedral

Mass of the Lord's Supper
Thursday, April 18
7:30 p.m. – Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, 548 Main St., Metuchen, NJ 08840

• This Mass commemorates the institution of the sacraments of the Eucharist and Holy Orders, and the washing of the feet of the Apostles by Jesus at the Last Supper. It is the beginning of the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter celebrations). Key moments of the liturgy are the washing of the feet and adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament throughout the night.
• Watch live broadcast via https://diometuchen.org/holy-week-at-the-cathedral

Way of the Cross with the Catholic Latino Community of Perth Amboy
Friday, April 19
11 a.m. – Robert Wilentz School, 51 1st St., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861

• On this morning, the faithful will gather to meditate and contemplate the Way of the Cross, which is the way of our life, as followers of Christ.

Solemn Liturgy of the Passion and Death of Our Lord
Friday, April 19
3 p.m. – Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, 548 Main St., Metuchen, NJ 08840

• On Good Friday, we remember the Passion of the Lord and we adore His Holy Cross.
• Watch live broadcast via https://diometuchen.org/holy-week-at-the-cathedral

Blessing of the Easter Food
Saturday, April 20
Noon – Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish, 120 Kosciusko Ave., South Plainfield, NJ 07080

• A longstanding Polish tradition is to bring baskets containing a sampling of Easter foods to church to be blessed on Holy Saturday. When the faithful eat the blessed food on Easter Sunday, they recall that Christ is the source of their true nourishment. 

Easter Vigil 
Saturday, April 20
8 p.m. – Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, 548 Main St., Metuchen, NJ 08840

• Adult catechumens (those preparing for Baptism) will receive the Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist). With our eyes we give witness to the wonder of the resurrection as the newly baptized go into the water and are raised up – dead, buried and risen in Christ.
• Watch live broadcast via https://diometuchen.org/holy-week-at-the-cathedral

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
Sunday, April 21
10:30 a.m. – St. Matthew the Apostle Parish, 81 Seymour Ave., Edison, NJ 08817

• Easter, the greatest day of joy in our Christian year, commemorates the Resurrection of Christ from the dead. The Lord is risen! He is risen, indeed!
• The Easter season lasts 50 days, through the Solemnity of the Pentecost.

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