Religious Education

HOLY WEEK

We are in the midst of Holy week, one of the most important times in the Church year and throughout the school students in all classrooms are learning about the signifcant days in the week leading up to Jesus' death and Resurrection at Easter.  Students reverently participated in the Stations of the Cross on Monday afternoon and as they echoed the words of the song 'We Remeber' there was a real sense that they knew the importance of the sacrifice Jesus made for us all.

Palm Sunday

The day when we remembered Jesus triumphantly entering Jerusalem. Crowds of people welcomed Him by waving palm branches and laying their cloaks on the road. They shouted, “Hosanna!” and praised Jesus as their King.

The palm branches we receive at Mass are an important symbol. In Jesus’ time, palms were used to honour kings and victors. They remind us that Jesus is our King—a King who brings peace, love and hope.

Palm Sunday is a very special day because the Mass begins joyfully, but then becomes more serious. During the Gospel, we hear the story of Jesus’ Passion—His suffering and death on the Cross. This helps us remember that the same people who welcomed Jesus with cheers would later turn away from Him.

Palm Sunday invites us to think about our own hearts. Do we follow Jesus only when things are easy, or do we stay close to Him even when life is difficult?

The blessed palms we take home from Mass are called sacramentals. Many families place them near a crucifix or prayer space at home as a reminder of Jesus’ love and victory. Often these palms are later returned to the church to be burned for the ashes used on Ash Wednesday the following year.

As we begin Holy Week, may we welcome Jesus not only with joyful words, but with faithful hearts, following Him through the Cross to the joy of Easter.

Holy Thursday

On this day, we remember the night before Jesus died, when He shared the Last Supper with His disciples.  At the Last Supper, Jesus gave us two great gifts: the Mass and the priesthood.

As Jesus shared bread and wine with His disciples, He said, “This is my body” and “This is my blood.” He then told them, “Do this in memory of me.” This was the beginning of the Mass. Every time we gather for Mass, we remember and share in this same gift of Jesus’ love.

Holy Thursday is also the day we remember the beginning of the priesthood. Jesus gave His disciples the special mission of continuing His work and celebrating the Mass. Today, priests continue this mission in our Church, leading us in prayer and helping us grow closer to God.

Another important part of Holy Thursday is when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples.

In Jesus’ time, washing feet was a job usually done by a servant. Yet Jesus, the Son of God, knelt down and washed the feet of His friends. He wanted to teach them—and us—that true greatness comes from serving others with love, kindness and humility.

During the Holy Thursday Mass, sometimes called the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the priest may wash the feet of members of the parish. This reminds us of Jesus’ example and His words:

“I have given you an example, so that you may do as I have done for you.”

Holy Thursday invites us to think about how we can follow Jesus by sharing love with others, serving people in need, being kind and humble and thanking God for the gift of the Mass and our priests

At the end of Holy Thursday Mass, the church becomes quiet and simple. The altar is stripped and people are invited to spend time praying, remembering that Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray before His arrest.

As we continue through Holy Week, may we remember Jesus’ great love for us and try to live as He taught us—by serving others with generous hearts.

Good Friday

Good Friday is the day we remember that Jesus died on the Cross.

It may seem strange that we call this day “good,” because it is a sad and solemn day. Yet it is called Good Friday because through His death, Jesus showed the greatest love of all. He gave His life to save us and to bring us closer to God.  On Good Friday, we remember the final part of Jesus’ journey. After being arrested, Jesus was treated unfairly, made to carry His Cross, and crucified.  Even in the middle of His suffering, Jesus continued to show love, forgiveness and compassion. He forgave those who hurt Him and cared for others right until the very end.

On Good Friday, Catholics do not celebrate Mass. Instead, we gather for a special liturgy where we:

• Listen to the story of Jesus’ Passion from the Gospel
• Pray for the needs of the world
• Venerate the Cross
• Receive Holy Communion

During the veneration of the Cross, people may come forward to touch or kiss the Cross. This is not because we celebrate suffering, but because the Cross reminds us of Jesus’ great love and sacrifice.

Good Friday is also a quiet day of prayer. Many people spend time reflecting on the Stations of the Cross, which help us remember the steps Jesus took on His way to Calvary.

The church is simple and quiet on Good Friday. The altar is bare, there are no flowers, and the mood is very different from Easter. We wait in hope, knowing that the sadness of Good Friday is not the end of the story.

As we remember Jesus on Good Friday, we are invited to stay close to Him, to thank Him for His love, and to trust that after the darkness comes the joy of Easter Sunday.

As we journey through Holy Week and celebrate the joy of Easter, families are warmly invited to join us for our parish’s Holy Week and Easter ceremonies. These special liturgies help us remember Jesus’ love, sacrifice and resurrection, and are a beautiful opportunity to pray together as a family and community. We encourage all families to come along and share in this most important time of the Church year.

Please note the following Holy Week and Easter Mass and service times in our Parish.  

 Kathryn Ady

Religious Education Leader