The staff of Our Lady of Mount Carmel hopes you have a blessed Holy Week. We are offering a variety of programs to enrich your spiritual journey this week, both in-person and remotely. We hope you join us!
The Easter Triduum begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday. It reaches its high point at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday and ends with the Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday. The Triduum is the summit of the Liturgical Year commemorating Christ’s Paschal Mystery – Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. Please join us as we celebrate this holy time in our Church’s liturgical year.
GOOD FRIDAY is a day of both Fast and Abstinence. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday night).
On a day of Fast, only one full meal is permitted and two smaller meals which, if added together, would not exceed the main meal in quantity. Those between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast. On a day of Abstinence, no meat may be eaten. Those who have reached the age of 14 are obliged by the law of abstinence.
HOLY WEEK 2021
Palm Sunday Masses
March 28th, Various TimesPalm Sunday Masses
PALM SUNDAY
Sunday, March 28“Today we commemorate Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. We do so with a note of melancholy, for we know that his arrival is also his entrance into the dark days of abandonment, agony, and death. However, we know that in the end God will triumph and sin, darkness, and even death will be defeated. Confident in Jesus’ redemptive power, we raise our voices in love and thanksgiving.”
Mass Times
8 A.M., 10 A.M., 12 NOON
(10 A.M. Mass also live streamed)
(An "overflow" live Mass is also available at each time.)Walk In Dinner Program
March 30th, 12:00PMWalk In Dinner Program
The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic affect everyone, including homeless families and people who are hungry. Our Lady of Mount Carmel is in the business of helping all those people, and we are continuing to do that even in these trying days. With that said, it is of the utmost importance that parishioners stay safe, healthy and do not do anything outside of their comfort zone.
On March 30th OLMC will keep her commitment to serve our most vulnerable brothers and sisters. Join us for our next Walk-In Dinner program on Tuesday, March 30th.
Email Elliot, eguerra@nullacademyolmc.org to sign up!There are three ways to help, choose one, or all four!
1. Pray for us! Lift up our cause in your daily prayers.
2. Donate! Cook and drop off either whole baked potatoes, mixed veggies, meatloafs or assorted desserts. See the link above and below!
3. Prep the meal at the OLMC kitchen from 12:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m. by warming the food, making portions and prepping salads.
Holy Thursday Mass
April 1st, 7:30PMHoly Thursday Mass
HOLY THURSDAY
Thursday, April 1
Mass of the Lord’s Supper
7:30 P.M.
(also live streamed)Holy Thursday is the commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, when Christ established the sacrament of Holy Communion prior to his arrest and crucifixion. The central observance of Holy Thursday is the ritual reenactment of the Last Supper at Mass. He also established the special priesthood for his disciples. Christ washed the feet of his disciples, who would become the first priests.
There is a tradition of spending time at the altars of repose of seven churches on Holy Thursday. This tradition corresponds to the seven stations that were made by Our Lord between the Last Supper and His crucifixion. Due to COVID-19, OLMC’s Holy Thursday Pilgrimage and the Washing of Feet will not take place this year.
Good Friday Communion
April 2nd, 7:30PMGood Friday Communion
GOOD FRIDAY
Friday, April 2Good Friday is the day on which Catholics commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. Today we read the Passion of the Lord according to Saint John.
Passion of the Lord & Holy Communion
7:30 P.M.
(also live streamed)According to the Church’s ancient tradition, Mass is not celebrated today. The celebration of the Lord’s Passion consists of the Liturgy of the Word, the Adoration of the Cross, and Holy Communion.
Ecumenical Cross Walk
April 2nd, 1:00PMEcumenical Cross Walk
GOOD FRIDAY
Friday, April 2Good Friday is the day on which Catholics commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. Today we read the Passion of the Lord according to Saint John.
Ecumenical Walk
1 P.M.
The Ecumenical Walk starts at Episcopal Church of the Atonement, 97 Highwood Avenue, Tenafly with stops at selected churches for scripture readings and prayers. It ends at Trinity Lutheran Church (430 Knickerbocker Road) around 3 PM. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the only church at which there will be seating is OLMC, the third church visited along the walk. It is not necessary to complete the walk to participate.Blessing of Easter Baskets
April 3rd, 12:00PMBlessing of Easter Baskets
HOLY SATURDAY
Saturday, April 3Today we wait at the Lord’s tomb, meditating on Christ’s suffering and death. During the night, we anticipate Christ’s resurrection at the vigil Mass, leading into the celebration of Easter, and continuing for fifty days of the Easter Season.
Blessing of Easter Food Baskets
12 NOONThe blessing of Easter foods on Holy Saturday has been an important tradition in many families of different ethnic backgrounds. Several foods have symbolic meaning:
eggs - symbolize life and Christ's resurrection
bread - symbolic of Jesus, the Bread of Life
lamb - represents Christ, the Paschal Lamb
salt - represents purification
horseradish - symbolic of the bitter sacrifice of Christ
ham - symbolic of great joy and abundanceThe priests of Our Lady of Mount Carmel invite you to bring your Easter food baskets to the Church on Holy Saturday, April 3rd for a special blessing at 12 Noon.
Easter Vigil Mass
April 3rd, 8:00PMEaster Vigil Mass
HOLY SATURDAY
Saturday, April 3Today we wait at the Lord’s tomb, meditating on Christ’s suffering and death. During the night, we anticipate Christ’s resurrection at the vigil Mass, leading into the celebration of Easter, and continuing for fifty days of the Easter Season.
The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night
8 P.M.
(also live streamed)By ancient tradition, this is the night of keeping vigil for the Lord. The vigil is divided into four parts: Service of Light, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Baptism, and Liturgy of the Eucharist. Join us for this beautiful liturgy as we recount the outstanding deeds of the history of salvation.
Easter Sunday Masses
April 4th, Various TimesEaster Sunday Masses
EASTER SUNDAY
Sunday, April 4Mass Times
8 A.M., 10 A.M., 12 NOON
(10 A.M. Mass also live streamed)
(An "overflow" live Mass is also available at each time.)