Chrism Mass 2013

What happens at the Chrism Mass?
At the Offertory, the three Holy Oils are carried up to the sanctuary by concelebrating priests with gifts of bread and wine offered up by the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

Blessing of the Oil of the Sick
The Oil of the Sick is blessed by the Bishop during the Eucharistic Prayer. Before the Bishop says “Through Christ our Lord/ you give us all these gifts” in Eucharistic Prayer I or the doxology “Through Him” in the other Eucharistic  prayers, the one who carried the vessel for oil of the sick brings it in front of the Bishop while he blesses the oil.

After the blessing, the vessel of the oil of the sick is returned to its place, and the Mass continues until the Communion Rite is completed.

Blessing of the Oil of the Catechumens
Following the Prayer after Communion, the concelebrating priests place the oils to be blessed on a table suitable located in the centre of the sanctuary. The concelebrating priests stand around the Bishop on either side, in a semicircle and the other ministers stand behind him. The Bishop then faces the people, and with his hands extended sings or prays the prayer of blessing of the oil of catechumens.

Consecration of the Chrism
Then the Bishop pours the balsam or perfume in the oil and mixes the Chrism in silence, after which he says the invitation. The Bishop then breathes over the open vessel which contains the Chrism and sings or prays the Consecratory Prayer. This is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, who blew over the face of the waters before creation (Gen 1, 2b), and of the risen Jesus, who appeared to his disciples and breathed on them saying “Receive the Holy Spirit...,” (John 20, 22-23). It is the Holy Spirit who consecrates this oil through the Bishop’s invocation. During which time, all concelebrating priests will join in silence, by extending their right hands toward the Chrism, signifying their participation in his authority, through which Christ Himself sanctifies and builds up His body, the Church.

At the end of the liturgy, the holy oils are distributed to the priests of the diocese, for their respective parishes.

It is recommended that each parish keep the vessels containing the Holy Oil in a special clear glass cabinet called an ambry, were they can be viewed by all the faithful. Many newer churches have an ambry, which is usually located close to the baptismal font. It reminds all who see it of the anointing which unites and strengthens us to live as one body in Christ, and comes to us through ministry of His Church.

On Monday March 25th, the Annual Chrism Mass will be held at Fatima R.C. Church, Curepe at 5pm. Our parish representatives are Margaret & Kumar Mahabir. 

Easter Schedule 2013

25^th March 2013       Holy Monday

6:00 am                      Morning Mass (confession before and after)

            5:00 pm                      Chrismal Mass at Fatima Parish, Curepe

26^th March, 2013       Holy Tuesday

            6:00 am                      Morning Mass (confession before and after)

27^th March, 2013       Holy Wednesday

            6:00 am                      Morning Mass (confession before and after)

28^th March, 2013       HOLY THURSDAY

            6:30 pm                      Holy Mass of the Lord’s Supper

            8:30pm                       Compline

         9 pm- 12am                  Vigil (prayer led by TVY, Youth Group and                                                

           Confirmation Candidates)

29^th March, 2013       GOOD FRIDAY

            6:00 am                      Stations of the Cross (Calvary Hill) Ecumenical

            9:00 am                      Morning Prayer (Tenebræ)

            3:00 pm                      Passion of the Lord

5:00 pm-7:00 pm                  Vigil (prayer led by Legion of Mary, Charismatic and    

                                                                 Lay Dominicans)                           

30^th March 2013                   HOLY SATURDAY

            9:00 am                      Morning Prayer (Tenebræ)

            9:00 pm                      EASTER VIGIL

31^st March 2013                    EASTER SUNDAY

            7:00 am                      Holy Mass (St. Jude’s)

            8:30 am                      Holy Mass (St. Joseph)

1^st -6^th April 2013   EASTER MONDAY - SATURDAY

            7:00 am                     Morning Mass

Parish Notices for Holy Week

1.     We are very grateful to all those who worked hard to prepare our celebration of St. Joseph last Sunday. We are uplifted by the good will, hard work, dedication, the spirit of community of our parishoners. We hope that we will be able to prepare even greater feast next year. We are very grateful for those who participate in our lenten retreats, went to the confesion on Friday evening, and prayed in these last few day for our community.

2.     The St. Vincent de Paul Society invites you to their annual Palm Sunday Walk. This begins at Cyril Ross Home, El Dorado Road, Tunapuna at 7.30 am and ends at Mt. Lambert Church with Mass. Check notice board for details.

3.     Please collect a copy of the Mass times schedule for the Easter Triduum. We would like to encourage you to participate in the great liturgy of the Holy Triduum - the Passover of Jesus Christ.

4.     The Last Supper Meal, Jesus broke bread and shared with his disciples. Our Holy Thursday tradition we are encouraged to bring a loaf of bread which we will distributed to the poor and needy.

5.     Twice yearly, the collection at Christmas and Easter Masses only throughout the Archdiocese are are pooled together. It is from this collection that the priests & administrators serving in our archdiocese receive their monthly income.  Please give generously at this time.

St. Joseph Feast Day 2013

The Feast Day of St. Joseph was indeed an incredible one. We were blessed with the presence of the Vicar for Clergy, Fr. Clyde Harvey who lead us in the liturgy with Fr. Gerard Tangchoon providing a remarkable and "nostalgic" homily. We were joined by the St. Michael's R.C., Maracus St Joseph Parish who shared the liturgy with us and we graciously thank them. Many parishioners turned up to celebrate our faith as community with great weather. We thank the hard-working team who coordinated this event and we ask God to bless them and bless the entire parish of St. Joseph & St. Michael's for a deepening of faith. St. Joseph, Pray for us! View some selected photos that were taken at the celebrations HERE

Parish Retreats

On Tuesday March 19th 
Day 1 of the Lenten Retreat (St. Joseph Feast Day)
Holy Mass begins at 6pm with Fr. Jason Grell, FMI

On Wednesday March 20th
Day 2 of the Lenten Retreat 
6pm

On Thursday March 21st
Day 3 of the Lenten Retreat
6pm

On Friday March 22nd
Way of the Cross at Calvary Hill, St. Joseph at 6pm
Penitential Service at St. Joseph RC at 7pm
(Individual Confessions available)

Feast Day Celebrations!

St. Joseph Feast Day: Sunday March 17th
Procession begins at the St. Joseph RC Church at 9.30am which leads to the First Capital Park where Holy Mass begins at 10.00am. Chief Celebrant, Fr. Clyde Harvey with Fr. Karol Wielgosz and Fr. Gerard Tangchoon (Homilist) as the concelebrants.

Following mass will be a "bring and share" picnic with live performances by the schools of the community.

Come out & enjoy!!

Parish Notices for the 5th Week of Lent

1.    We are very grateful for all our parishoners who in so many ways are involved in our celebration of the feast of St. joseph. We are happy because of it.

2.    Fridays of Lent we celebrate the Way of the Cross organized by the Youth Group and TVY Teams. We begin at the foot of Calvary at 6 pm. Stations of the Cross will also be celebrated at 6 pm every Friday in St. Jude Chapel in Mt. D’or. We would like to encourage all parishioners to participate in this noble lenten prayer in which we meditate the sacrifice of our Redeemer.

3.    Registration of children for confirmation programs is ongoing. You can do this on Saturday mornings at 9 am.

4.    The next Infant Baptism is on Easter Sunday – Sunday 31^st March. Registration on Monday afternoons is ongoing. Parents are asked to bring the original birth paper when registering.

5.    Parish Lenten Retreat at St. Joseph on Tuesday 19^th March @ 6pm and continues to Thursday 21^st . And closes with a penitential service on Friday 22^nd beginning with Stations of the Cross.

6.    We remember about our formar Parish Priest Fr. Donnie McMahon who celebrate today his 90^th birthday.