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PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD
March 28 and 29, 2026​
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Saturday - Haliburton 4:30 pm Missa Pro Populo – Mass for the People
Sunday - Bancroft 10:00 am Margaret Deady – Pat Tressiera
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ROSARY WILL BE PRAYED BEFORE THE 9:00 AM MASS
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Monday - Bancroft 9:00 am Souls in Purgatory
Tuesday - PEMBROKE 10:30 am CHRISM MASS
Wednesday - Bancroft 9:00 am Steve Tripp
THE SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM
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Holy Thursday - Bancroft 5:00 pm Margaret Deady – Pat Tressierra
- Haliburton 7:15 pm Lori Reilly-Thompson – Jackie Titus
Good Friday - Haliburton 1:15 pm STATIONS OF THE CROSS
2:00 pm Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
- Bancroft 4:15 pm STATIONS OF THE CROSS
5:00 pm Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
Holy Saturday - Bancroft 10:00 am BLESSING OF FOOD
- Bancroft 7:00 pm EASTER VIGIL
Cecil and Lillian Burke
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~ EASTER SUNDAY – THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD ~
April 4 and 5, 2026
Sunday - Haliburton 8:30 am Beno Luna – His Estate
- Bancroft 11:00 am Missa Pro Populo – Mass for the People
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WHY DO WE COVER STATUES DURING LENT?
Covering statues and crucifixes with purple veils during the final two weeks of Lent (Passiontide) is a Catholic tradition designed to focus attention on the upcoming, intense suffering of Jesus and to create a "visual fast". The veils build anticipation for Easter by temporarily removing sacred images, symbolizing Christ's hiding from those who wanted to stone him.
Key Reasons for Veiling Statues in Lent:
Focus on the Passion: The church strips back distractions in the final weeks of Lent to shift focus from visual devotion to the solemn narrative of Christ's death.
A "Visual Fast": Just as Catholics fast from food, the veils serve as a, fasting for the eyes, creating a more sombre environment of contemplation and mourning.
Symbolism of Hiddenness: The practice reflects the Gospel of John, where Jesus "hid himself" from the crowd before his Passion.
Building Longing for Easter: By covering the beautiful images, the Church creates a sense of absence, making the unveiling on Easter Sunday more impactful and joyful, representing our life on earth in "exile" until we reach heaven.
Focus on the Liturgy: With statues hidden, the faithful are encouraged to focus more intently on the prayers and readings of the Mass.
The tradition, which was historically more extensive (known as the "Hunger Cloth"), is currently recommended to begin before the Fifth Sunday of Lent.
While crucifixes remain covered until the end of the Good Friday liturgy, the statues and icons remain covered until the evening of Holy Saturday before the Easter Vigil.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Our Lady of Mercy
Finance Meeting
Thursday, April 9th @ 4:00 pm
March for Life in Ottawa
Thursday, May 14th
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SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSIONS)
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered this weekend
BEFORE and AFTER the weekend Masses.
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OUR LADY OF MERCY CHURCH
196 Bridge St. PO Box 879
Bancroft, ON K0L 1C0
ST ANTHONY OF PADUA MISSION
27 Victoria St. PO Box 1200
Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0
ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA
SANCTUARY LAMP:
For the week commencing
Sunday, March 29th – April 4th:
In loving memory of all deceased
Members of St. Anthony’s.
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OUR LADY OF MERCY
SANCTUARY LAMP:
For the week commencing
Sunday, March 29th – April 4th:
In loving memory of
Steve Tripp.
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SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA
The STATIONS OF THE CROSS TOUR will be set up this week. Booklets will be available in the foyer for anyone interested in taking the tour.
If you would like the guide book emailed to you, please contact the office. Stations number Six and Seven will be located outside of St. Anthony’s Church. The tour will be available to view until Monday April 6th.
PRAYER CORNER
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Maximillian Sullivan,
the Sullivan Family,
Evan and Gary Wheeler, Judy,
Katherine Flowers, Matt and Kate Flowers,
Alverna Ross, Paul Lee, Lori Best,
Samantha Spencer, Bill O’Shaughnessy,
Anne Carr, Silas Agina, Rita Stock,
Anita Neuman, Julian Joseph Forget,
Helen Curran, niece of Pauline Burcher,
Thomas Smallwood, Mary Hall,
Gladys Roberts, A.S. Crean,
Shirley Grimshaw, Gerald Diamond,
Brian Dunn, Barb Perog, Sandra Wheeler,
Stacie Burnett, Gina Mazara, Anthony, Reuben Maughan, Dennis Purcell,
Joan Colligan, Eddie & Daphne Faria,
Marie Giamblanco, Mike Flanagan, Annette Giamblanco,
Carolyne Morais, Frank Young,
Roger Musclow, Joanna Kastner,
Jean Tyler, Barry Malloy,
Tommy and Tammy White,
Baby Jacob.
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ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA
DIVINE MERCYSUNDAY
APRIL 12TH AT 3:00 pm.
The Celebration will include the reciting of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, readings from St. Faustina’s Diary and veneration of the Divine Mercy Image. There are information pamphlets and guides for Divine Mercy, Confession, Spiritual & Corporal works of Mercy and Indulgences, available in the foyer. Please feel free to take them and read through in preparation for Easter and for
Divine Mercy Sunday.
All are welcome to attend!
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ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA
A review of CPR and defibrillator use will be held on
April 18th at 1:30 p.m.
Please reply to Miles at 705-754-0869 or mmaughan@highlandmaughans.ca
to register.
