Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we journey through the holy season of Lent, our community accompanies those preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation) at the Easter Vigil. Through Baptism one becomes a son/daughter of God. Through Confirmation one receives the Holy Spirit and becomes a soldier of Christ. Through Holy Communion one receives the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ.

Among the most significant steps in this preparation are the “Three Scrutinies”, special rites celebrated on the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent. The Scrutinies are based on the Gospel readings from John and are intended to strengthen the catechumens by uncovering and healing what is weak and strengthening what is good. They invite the entire community to a deeper conversion, as we reflect on our own need for God’s mercy and transformation.

1) First Scrutiny, which is the Third Sunday of Lent, we have the passage of the Samaritan Woman at the Well. This scrutiny focuses on the living water that Christ offers to quench our deepest spiritual thirst.

2) Second Scrutiny, which is the Fourth Sunday of Lent, we have the passage of the Man Born Blind. Here, the theme is spiritual enlightenment. The man born blind receives both physical and spiritual sight, symbolizing the journey of faith.

3) Third Scrutiny, which is the Fifth Sunday of Lent, we have the passage of the Raising of Lazarus. This final scrutiny emphasizes Christ as the Lord of life.

Through these rites, the catechumens are prepared to fully embrace their new life in Christ at the Easter Vigil. As a parish, let us pray fervently for our catechumens, supporting them by our intercession.                            

Fr. Gaston Giacinti, IVE

WEEKLY NEWS

Parish office at Sacred Heart

Dear Parishioners, I am delighted to share some wonderful news with you! After many years, we will be relocating the Sacred Heart Parish Office back to the rectory. Additionally, we are pleased to welcome our new secretary, Nithya Rozario.As many of you know, the Sacred Heart rectory served as the Vocations, Evangelization, and Youth Office (VEYO) from 2006 to 2010 and later became Sacred Heart College from 2011 until the end of 2023. Since the summer of 2008, the Sacred Heart Parish Office has been located at St. John the Baptist. Now, we are pleased to restore the Parish Office to its original location at Sacred Heart rectory. Many thanks to Adam Hayes, John Connell, Larry McDonald and others who helped with the project.Many of you may have never been inside the rectory, or perhaps it has been many years since your last visit. To celebrate this transition, we invite you to an Open House on the weekend of April 5th and 6th. After each Holy Mass, you are welcome to visit the new offices and meet our new secretary.Thank you for your continued support of our parish.The office Will be open starting April 9^th office hours will be Wednesday and Friday from 3PM to 5PM.

Fr. Gastón Giacinti, IVE

Holy Thursday – April 17th

6:00pm Mass of the Last Supper at Sacred Heart by Fr. Stephen DeCarlo

7:30pm Mass of the Last Supper at St. John’s by Fr. Gaston Giacinti

7:30pm TLMass at Sacred Heart by Fr. Neil Roy

Good Friday – April 18th

10:00am Stations of the Cross at the Cathedral

1:00pm TLCeremony of the Passion at Sacred Heart by Fr. Neil Roy

3:00pm Ceremony of the Passion at Sacred Heart by Fr. Gaston Giacinti

4:30pm Ceremony of the Passion at St. John’s by Fr. Stephen DeCarlo

Easter Vigil – April 19th

8:00pm Easter Vigil Mass at Sacred Heart by Fr. Gaston Giacinti (concelebrated by Fr. Stephen DeCarlo)

10:30pm TLMass at Sacred Heart by Fr. Neil Roy