Chelmsford Catholic Collaborative Home to St. Mary and St. John the Evangelist Parish Families  The universal Church begins the “Three Days,” the center of our Welcome to the liturgical year. We enter deeply into the Paschal Mystery through ancient rituals, moving music, and a heightened awareness of the sacred person Jesus Christ. This one, continuous, unhurried liturgy has no final blessing from the start of Holy Thursday’s until the end of the Easter Vigil—as if the church could not have enough time to revel in this mystery. On Thursday, we remember the meal at which Jesus sat with those he loved. He modeled pastoral service, and identified himself with bread and wine. On Friday, we ponder Jesus’ desolation and execution, recalling the profundity of human suffering and the power of human faith in a God of Life and yet we call it “Good,” because it is the cross that brings us salvation. And on Saturday night, we celebrate the initiation of our elect and rejoice amid candlelight with water, oil, bread, wine, and Christ our Light among us. Sunday explodes with joy in what God has done for us in His Son, Jesus Christ. Holy Thursday. April 18

Morning Prayer 9:00 AM at St. Mary

Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7:00 PM at St. John

-followed by Solemn Reservation and Adoration until midnight

Good Friday, April 19

Morning Prayer 9:00 AM at St. Mary

Teen-Led 3:00 PM at St. Mary

Passion of Jesus Christ 7:00 PM at St. John

Holy Saturday, April 20

Morning Prayer 9:00 AM at St. John

The Great Easter Vigil  8:30 PM at St. Mary



Mass of the Lord’s Supper The Lenten Journey has been completed, and we now enter into the central mysteries of our faith, embodied in Our Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection.

Gathering Song: Lift High the Cross (George Kitchin)

Gloria: From the Mass of Renewal (Curtis Stephan)

Collect 

  Liturgy of the Word

This is the major part of the Mass during which the Word of God is proclaimed, responded to, explained and accepted. In the readings, the table of God’s Word is spread before the faithful, and the treasures of the Bible are opened to us. Hearing the Word proclaimed in the midst of the assembly is a communal Experience… we listen together, as members of the body of Christ being guided by Christ, our head. As any family knows, there is a difference between hearing and truly listening. To listen, we need an active, engaged mind that is focused on the Word of God, and we need time to process what we have heard for meaning. For this reason, it’s important to make good use of the silences in between the readings. Most of us are scared of silence. We aren’t sure what we’ll hear when we’re quiet enough to let the Holy Spirit speak. Strive to move from a “scared” silence to a “sacred” silence, a silence that truly takes time to break down what we’ve heard and apply it to our lives as individuals.

First Reading: Exodus 12: 1-8, 11-14

Responsorial Psalm 116: Our Blessing Cup (George Kitchin)

Second Reading: 1Corinthians 11: 23-26

Gospel Acclamation: From the Mass of Renewal (Curtis Stephan)

Gospel Reading: according to St. John 13: 1-15

 Homily: Fr. Tom   Washing of the Feet

The washing of the Feet is a sign of the humble service to which Christians are called. To be people of the is to be foot-washers. The Lord is clear: His very Body and Blood consumed here must transform and strengthen us for service to the poor.

As I Have Done for You (Dan Schutte)



Universal Prayers 

  Presentation of the Oils

We carry the Holy Oils that have been blessed by Cardinal Sean at Tuesday’s Chrism Mass. Oil of the Catechumens, Oil of the Sick and Sacred Chrism are solemnly presented tonight to both parishes. These oils will be used throughout the year to anoint the sick, those preparing for Baptism, the newly Baptized and those being confirmed.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Presentation of Gifts and Preparation of the Altar Today we offer the Alms that have been collected during the Lenten Season for our sister parish, Our Lady Star of the Sea in Sierra Leone, West Africa.

Servant Song (Donna Marie McGargill, OSM)

Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)



  Eucharistic Acclamations from the Mass of Renewal (Curtis Stephan)

Holy Holy

Memorial Acclamation

The Great Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Sign of Peace

Lamb of God from the Mass of Renewal



  ° Guidelines for Receiving Communion can be found on page 20  Communion Song 1: Supper of the Lord (Laurence Rosania)

 Communion Song 2: Bread of Life (Bobby Fisher)



  Communion Song 3: In This Place (Trevor Thomson)

Prayer after Communion Procession & Transfer of the Holy Eucharist

All kneel as the Presider incenses the and the cantors sing. All are then asked to immediately join in procession following the Presider and Music Ministers to the Chapel of the Repose, located in the parish hall. We will process out the front of the church and re-enter into the parish hall through the rear door.

O Salutaris Hostia O salutaris Hostia Quae caeli pandis ostium: Bella premunt hostilia, Da robur, fer auxilium.

Uni trinoque Domino Sit sempiterna gloria, Qui vitam sine termino Nobis donet in patria. Amen.

Procession to Altar of Repose Jesus, remember me, when you come into Your Kingdom. Jesus, remember me, when you come into Your Kingdom.

At the Altar of Repose: Tantum ergo Sacraméntum Venerémur cérnui: Et antiquum documéntum Novo cedat rítui; Praestet fides suppleméntum Sénsuumdeféctui.

Genitóri, Genitóque Laus et jubilátio, Salus, honor, virtus quoque Sit et benedíction:

All are invited to stay and keep vigil at the Altar of the Repose. If you cannot stay now, the vigil will remain until midnight if you would like to return later. We will gather for morning prayer at 9:00 am tomorrow morning at St. John’s. When you do decide to leave, please do so in a spirit of silence. We begin the Sacred Fast for the Holy Triduum at this time.   Commemoration of the Lord’s Death

Dying Jesus, hold us close to you. May our tears offer you strength. May our grief express our gratitude for the gift of your life. May our faithful presence with you teach us how to be faithfully present to each other in the crosses we bear in our lives. Amen.

The priests, deacon and altar servers prostrate themselves as the faithful kneel in silence. This act of prostration signifies both the abasement of earthly men and women, and also the grief and sorrow of the church.

Collect Liturgy of the Word

First Reading: Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12

Responsorial Psalm 31: Father Into Your Hands (Randall DeBruyn)

Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5: 7-9

Gospel Acclamation: From the Mass of Renewal (Curtis Stephan)

Gospel Reading: the Passion according to St. John 18:1 -19:42

Homily: Fr. Colletti  The Solemn Intercessions   Adoration of the Holy Cross

Invitation to Prayer The Adoration of the Cross begins with the celebrants and altar servers bringing the cross forward from the rear of the church. With each stop they make along the way, we will pray...

Once the cross arrives at its resting place in the front of the sanctuary, you are invited to remove your shoes and socks and reverence the cross in any way the Spirit shall move you — a genuflection, a simple bow, a touch, a kiss…

Way of the Cross (Manoling Francisco SJ)

Behold the Wood (Dan Schutte)



  Invitation to Communion

° Guidelines for Receiving Communion can be found on page 20 

The Lord’s Prayer

Communion Songs

Behold the Lamb (Bob Dufford, SJ)

Verse 1 Behold the Lamb of God, behold the Lamb of God Who carries our burden, who knows our pain, who bears the sins of the world.

Verse 2 Surely he has borne our guilt and carried the sorrows of us all Struck down in our stead, rejected and scorned, and by his wounds we are healed

Verse 3 Father, forgive them, then do not understand They do not understand what they do

Verse 4 The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of Christ, And he shall reign for endless days.

Bread of Angels (Curtis Stephan)

There is no concluding rite or formal dismissal this evening.

We are asked to disperse in silence as the Church continues to be at prayer throughout the night. Let us continue to keep the remainder of tonight and tomorrow sacred.

We will gather for morning prayer  at 9:00 am tomorrow morning at St. Mary’s. 

 The Great Easter Vigil

This is the night. This fire has been kindled and the flame has been shared, gradually but confidently overcoming the darkness. The great stories of God’s love for creation from before the very first moment have been told, and the great story of God’s love poured out in salvation has been proclaimed and preached. This is the moment.

The Blessing of the Light In the darkness, the fire is kindled and blessed by the Celebrant.

The Preparation of the Candle From this newly lit and blessed fire, the Paschal Candle is lit.

The Deacon, bearing the candle, leads the procession to the chancel, pausing three times Procession singing or saying… “May the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.”

Deacon: The Light of Christ People: Thanks be to God

Each member of the congregation now receives light from the Paschal Candle by way of lighting their candle from another. Other candles and lamps in the church, except for those at the alter, will be lit.

Easter Proclamation

The Deacon, standing near the Candle, sings the hymn of praise, called the Exsultet.

This triumphant hymn and wonderful sacramental is the prelude to the Easter solemnities. It is a majestic proclamation of the Resurrection of Christ, a dramatic invitation to heaven and earth to join with the Church in joy and jubilation. It is the rite of sanctification of light and night, of place and time, of priest and faithful for the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord. In itself, it is a symbolic representation of the Resurrection of Christ, a sacramental, preparing for and anticipating the reenactment of the Resurrection in the Eucharistic Sacrifice. This Easter-sacramental is a jewel of the liturgy, brilliant in content and composition, in its symbolism and efficacy. The hymn is filled with profound theology, radiant with youthful enthusiasm, flowing in the most solemn rhythms of the psalms, resounding in the most jubilant cadences of Gregorian chant. This sacramental, based on the ritual of the Old Testament and containing as it does venerable relics of apostolic tradition, reflects and transmits to us an echo of the glorified joy of early Christianity. 

  Liturgy of the Word

This is the night when we attune our ears to the power of God’s word. Like those who sit around campfires and tell stories, we gather around the flame of the Easter candle and share the greatest stories of our Judeo-Christian treasury. We hear the central stories of salvation that lead us to embrace the story of Christ’s triumph over death. “He is not here; He is risen!”

Reading: Genesis 1:1 - 2:2

Responsorial Psalm 104: Lord Send out Your Spirit (Ken Canedo)

Reading: Genesis 22: 1-18

Responsorial Psalm 16: The Path of Life (Scott Soper)

Reading: Exodus 14:15 - 15:1

Responsorial Psalm 15: Song of Moses (adapted from Exodus 15)



  Reading: Isaiah 54: 5-14

Responsorial Psalm 30: I Will Praise You Lord (Paul Inwood)

Reading: Isaiah 55: 1-11

Responsorial Psalm: With Your You Shall Draw Water (Marty Haugen)

Reading: Baruch 3: 9-15, 32C4:4

Responsorial Psalm 19: Your Words are Spirit and Life (Bob Hurd)

Reading: Ezekiel 36: 16-28

Responsorial : Be Merciful O Lord (Steve Angrisano)



  Gloria from the Mass of Creation

Reading: Romans 6: 3-11

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, Give The Glory (Ken Canedo)

Gospel Reading: Luke 24: 1-12

Homily: Deacon Matthew Walter

Celebration of Baptism

Candidates are Called Samuel Rogers and Lillian Rogers from our parish family and Kimberly Carroll, Brandon Medeiros and Shawn Nagle from UMass Lowell will all be receiving Full Initiation into the Church through the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist and Confirmation.

Litany of Saints This formal prayer of the Roman Catholic Church is a prayer to the Triune God, which also includes invocations for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Angels and all martyrs and saints upon whom Christianity was proclaimed, and those recognized as saints through the subsequent history of the Church. Following the invocation of the saints, the concludes with a series of supplications to God to hear the prayers of the worshippers. It is used for the blessing of the Holy Water, with which we shall soon be sprinkled as we renew our baptismal promises.

The Easter Light is passed through the assembly. We hold lighted candles and Blessing of the Water renounce satan, the prince of darkness. We boldly make our profession of faith and encounter the waters of Baptism. Through these words and gestures, we are reminded that in our own Baptism, we “put on Christ” and were made into disciples for the life and light of the world.

Profession of Faith by the candidates

The Candidates are Baptized

Clothing with the Baptismal Garment and Presentation of Lighted Candles

Alleluia Response



  Celebration of Confirmation

Invitation to Candidates

Laying of the Hands The Celebrant will minister the Sacraments by laying his hands upon the candidates, followed by the anointing with chrism that was blessed at the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral this past Tuesday, and formally presented at the Holy Thursday Mass. Anointing of Chrism The Celebrant will minister the Sacraments by laying his hands upon the candidates, followed by the anointing with chrism that was blessed at the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral this past Tuesday, and formally presented at the Holy Thursday Mass.

Veni Spiritus (Berthier)

Renewal of Baptismal Promises by the congregation The Peoples Response: I do

Sprinkling Rite

Universal Prayers 

  Liturgy of the Eucharist

To celebrate the Eucharist means to give God thanks and praise. When the table has been prepared with the bread and wine, the assembly joins the Presider in remembering the gracious gifts of God in creation and God’s saving deeds. The center of this is the Paschal Mystery, the dying of our Lord Jesus Christ, which destroyed the power of death; His rising which brings us life; and His ascension into heaven which raises us to new majesty. Presentation of the Gifts and Preparation of the Altar

Ave Verum Corpus (W.A. Mozart) , Hail, true body, Natum de Maria virgine; Born of the virgin Mary; Vere passum immolatum Who has truly suffered, slaughtered In crucis pro homine. On the Cross for humanity. Cuius latus perforatum Whose side was pierced, Unda fluxit et sanguine. Pouring out water and blood. Esto nobis praegustatum Be a foretaste for us In mortis examine. During our ordeal of death.

Eucharistic Acclamations from the Mass of Creation (Marty Haugen)

Holy Holy

Memorial Acclamation

The Great  Amen   The Communion Rite

° Guidelines for Receiving Communion can be found on page 20 The Lord’s Prayer Sign of Peace

Lamb of God from the Mass of Creation (Marty Haugen)

Communion Song 1: Table Song (David Haas)

Verse 1 Is not the bread of life we break Verse 2 How shall we make a return to God, A sharing in the life of God For goodness unsurpassing Is not the cup of peace out-poured This saving cup we shall hold high The blood of Christ. And call out God's name

Verse 3 Unless a grain of wheat shall fall, upon the earth, it shall remain.  A single grain; but if it dies,  It will come to life  Communion Song 2: Take and Eat (Michael Joncas)

Prayer after Communion Dismissal

and the people reply... 

 Sending Forth Song: Jesus Christ is Risen Today (Easter Hymn)

Wishing you all a Blessed Easter Season!

 Guidelines for Receiving Communion: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops •

For Catholics: As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all. For our fellow Christians: We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ's prayer for us "that they may all be one" (Jn 17:21). Because of the divisions with those churches, we ordinarily do not admit those members to Holy Communion. For those not receiving Holy Communion: All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.

For non-Christians: We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.