Holy Week and Easter at St Columba’s

Holy Week is one of the most profound experiences of the whole of the Christian year. From early times, Christians have observed the week before Easter as a time of special devotion. As the pilgrim Egeria recorded in the late fourth century, Jerusalem contained many sacred places that were sites for devotion and liturgy. Numerous pilgrims to the Holy City followed the path of Jesus in his last days. They formed processions, worshipped where Christ suffered and died, and venerated relics. From this beginning evolved the rites we observe today on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil). These services provide a liturgical experience of the last days of Jesus' earthly life, as well as the time and events leading up to his resurrection. If you have never been part of the Holy Week experience, we encourage you to join us this year.

Of course the entire week is leading us to celebrate the triumph of Jesus and conquering of death. Beginning on Saturday night, our Easter Vigil tells the story of God’s saving deeds throughout the ages and sings the first alleluia of Easter. Then Easter morning, the celebration burst forth with Easter flowers, festive music, and the Good News coming from the empty tomb. Father Joe Greene will be our preacher on Easter Sunday. Our Easter Egg hunt and festive reception on the lawn begins at 9.00 am sharp, and the entire community is invited to attend.

Worship With Us!

“An ancient faith for a modern world.”

Worship with us each week! Our parish life is centered around our worship together. We have a number of liturgies, each with its distinct style. Sunday mornings and during the week, there are worship opportunities that will help you grow in faith and experience the love of God. A fully-staffed nursery is available for children up to age 5 on Sunday mornings from 9:15-11:45 am, although children of all ages are welcome to be in church for all of the service.

(Click on the down arrow for details of each service below)

Sundays

  • An abbreviated, said Mass using the Rite I (traditional language) liturgy. This liturgy meets in the chapel and lasts approximately 30 minutes and does not include music. There is only an abbreviated homily (sermon) at this liturgy.

  • Our principal Sunday Mass is a fully sung liturgy, featuring a sermon, congregational hymns, and the St Columba Parish Choir. Incense is often used and the liturgy follows the Rite II liturgy of The Book of Common Prayer.

Weekdays

  • Mass & Stations of the Cross. Our Wednesday program during Lent begins with Mass and Stations of the Cross at 6:30. The dinner and program begin at 7.15 and conclude with Compline at 8.15pm. Our Wednesday program does not meet during the month of July.

  • Compline. This is the last of the daily offices from the monastic tradition and is often called the nighttime prayer of the church. During Lent Compline is sung by our clergy and cantors. Compline will not be offered during July.

  • A special offering during Lent. We walk together the stations of the cross, a liturgy focusing on the significant moments of Jesus’ Passion. Weather permitting, we use our outdoor stations and a liturgy we have adapted from The Anglican Shrine of the Our Lady of Walsingham. (Wednesdays in Lent).