I hope this email finds everyone safe & in good health at home. This update is also available on our webpage www.stmarysrockvalley.org when you click on the April 5th link. Fr. Doug, and the office staff have been working on many ways to keep our parishioners engaged during this time where we are not allowed to celebrate the mass as a parish. All masses will be livestreamed on our Facebook page for the upcoming week. We understand that several parishioners do not have Facebook so below you will see several other options for participating. The Live Stream schedule is attached to this email as Holy Week 2020. You can also find it on our parish website at www.stmarysrockvalley.org 2020 Palm Sunday, April 5th 9am Mass streamed from Christ the King (English) 10:00AM Drive by Palm/branch blessing at Christ the King* 11:00AM Mass streamed from Christ the King (Spanish) 12:30PM Drive by Palm/branch blessing at St. Mary* • Cut a green or budding branch to use at home. See “drive-by” times above. Fr. Doug will be outside the church blessing you and your “Palms” as you drive-by. Place the branch on or by your front door as a reminder to you or others that we are in Holy Week. • Kids can also download a Paper Palm to color. • Read the Gospel of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and have a procession in your homes. [See parish Facebook for a song provided by Shelli.] The Diocese has put together the helpful aid that is attached to this email which includes the readings for the week. There are many great resources on the Diocese webpage to help us get through the difficult times of COVID-19. Please click on this link below to see many great ideas for family time at home. https://www.scdiocese.org/parishioner-resources There are two special collections during Holy Week. Please use the links below or the envelopes in your boxes. Christians in the Holy Land: https://myfranciscan.org/good-friday/ Retired and Infirm Priests: https://scdiocese.org/retired-and-infirm-priests-collection/ Mass Intentions for the week: Sunday, April 5 – Eileen McNamara Wednesday, April 8 – Vern Hauser Friday, April 10 – Madonna Plueger St. Mary’s: Jay Schroeder, Jim Kelly, Jane Richter, Mary Ellen McGill, Daniel & Sarahi Rocha, Gregory Palma, Dale & Bev Plueger, Susan Berg, Evelyn Richter, Raul Topete; Friends of St. Mary’s: Marla Hungerford, Leon VanEgdom Christ the King: Dax Kolar, Nancy Metcalf, Ana Olmedo, Sandra Lopez, Corey Buckholtz, Karina Cruz, Tony Hoskins, Victoria Gallegos Rest in Peace: Bernard Wurm, Colleen King’s father Live-Stream SCHEDULE FOR HOLY WEEK St. Mary, Rock Valley & Christ the King, Sioux Center https://www.facebook.com/St-Marys-Catholic-Church-Rock-Valley-IA-175156379687801/ https://www.facebook.com/CtKSC/ 2020 Palm Sunday, April 5th 9am Mass streamed from Christ the King (English) 10:00AM Drive by Palm/branch blessing at Christ the King* 11:00AM Mass streamed from Christ the King (Spanish) 12:30PM Drive by Palm/branch blessing at St. Mary* *See instructions below for Palm Sunday Holy Thursday, April 9th 7:00 PM Mass Streamed from Christ the King Good Friday, April 10th 12:00 PM Good Friday Service streamed from St. Mary (English) 7:00 PM Good Friday Service streamed from Christ the King (Spanish) Saturday, April 11th 8:30 PM Easter Vigil Mass Streaming options • From the Vatican: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxIsefyl9g9A5SGWA4FvGIA/ • 8pm Sioux City Cathedral: https://www.facebook.com/sccathedral Easter Sunday, April 12 9:00 AM Easter Mass streamed from St. Mary, Rock Valley (English) 11:00 AM Easter Mass streamed from Christ the King, (Spanish) [10am Televised Mass from Sioux Falls Cathedral on KELO] Of Note: The Sacred Triduum consisting of the “3 Days” consists of the celebrations from Holy Thursday to Easter Vigil (Easter Sunday). This celebration is in reality one continuous celebration of the central mystery of our faith, the Paschal Mystery, of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection by which we have the hope of our salvation. Ideas for Celebrating Holy Week in your homes this year. Palm Sunday • Cut a green or budding branch to use at home. See “drive-by” times at your church. Fr. Doug will be outside the church blessing you and your “Palms” as you drive-by. Place the branch on or by your front door as a reminder to you or others that we are in Holy Week. • Kids can also download a Paper Palm to color. • Read the Gospel of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and have a procession in your homes. [See parish Facebook for a song provided by Shelli.] Holy Thursday • Google “Seder Meal” and have one at home. • Read the Gospel reading and have a foot washing with your family and talk about ways of being of service to each other. • Have a solemn time of prayer with “Jesus in the Garden” on Thursday evening. Good Friday • Reminder it is a day of fasting and abstinence. • Set up a cross from your home to venerate Holy Saturday • Keep the day as solemn as possible remembering that Jesus remained in the tomb for 3 days. • Watch a vigil service or a movie on the life of Jesus especially his death and resurrection. Easter Sunday • Join in a virtual Mass and celebrate the day with joy. Please see our Facebook page for more ideas or links .