Preparing for and celebrating Lent, Easter and Pentecost

While Lent and Easter are distinct seasons, there is an inner synergy and flow that requires preparation for each with a careful eye on the other. Both seasons are united in their attentiveness and focus on Christian Initiation, most particularly of adults who are baptised at the Easter Vigil.

LENT

During the season of Lent, we are called to look deeply at the human condition, just as Jesus, the Son of God, experienced. We are reminded during this time of hardship, suffering, and ultimately dying that we must stretch ourselves. We must pray and fast from whatever is taking hold of the fullness of life. This time calls for personal reflection and encourages us to look out with missionary eyes to intentionally give to those in need. Each year a Diocesan resource is produced and will be available here.

CHRISM MASS

In the Church of Maitland-Newcastle the Chrism Mass is celebrated annually on the Tuesday evening of Holy Week, 7 pm in the Sacred Heart Cathedral. It is an amazing liturgy. People gather from all over the diocese. They come by bus and car and by 6.30 pm the cathedral and its precinct are full of people, all catching up and preparing to be part of this most significant celebration of our faith.

This gathering of the whole Church at the Cathedral with the Bishop is an important part of our preparation for the Easter Ceremonies which will take place throughout the diocese. 

At the Chrism Mass the Bishop blesses the oil of catechumens and the oil of the sick and consecrates the oil of chrism. The first is used for anointing adult catechumens and infants, the second for anointing the sick, and the sacred oil of chrism for baptism, confirmation, the ordination of priests, and the consecration of altars. The tradition of blessing the oils goes back to the early church. Only the bishop can consecrate chrism.

Celebrated with the Bishop, most of the clergy and representatives from all parishes, the Chrism Mass is a great celebration of our unity as the Church of Maitland-Newcastle. This unity is marked in a special way when, after the readings and homily, everyone participates in a renewal of their commitment to ministry which we share, though in different ways.

This renewal begins with the Assembly – all God's priestly, prophetic and kingly people – who recommit to the work of spreading God's word in their families, communities and workplaces. Then the deacons restate their commitment to the loving and humble service called for by the gospel. This is followed by the priests' renewal of their priestly promises to unite themselves with Christ and to steward the mysteries of God. Finally the Bishop renews his commitment to becoming a more faithful image of Christ the Good Shepherd. Through the process of this renewal, the people offer their prayer and support to their deacons, priests and bishop. Our unity characterised by difference is acted out in this ritual of renewal.

A simple resource for prayer and reflection on the texts for the blessing of the holy oils is available here. It can help you prepare to participate in the Chrism Mass, or reflect on your experience after. It can be used personally or in groups.

A template for parishes looking for a ritual to receive the oils sent to them from the Chrism Mass is available in MS Word or PDF format.

View 2024 Chrism Mass flyer for participation at Mass and invitation to join the musicians for this Mass.

EASTER TRIDUUM

The following resources are provided to assist parishes in planning their Easter ceremonies.

• A parish resource: Information, Advice and Reminders for Easter 2024
• Fr Andrew Doohan's keynote address from the 2016/17 Triduum formation days.
• Some key liturgical documents about the Paschal Triduum.
• A short article, Celebrating the Paschal Triduum: 'rehearsal' for paschal living, from the Good Samaritan Sisters' e-magazine.
• People's Booklet for the Paschal Triduum (template). Newcastle Parish supplies this. It may help parishes prepare their People's Booklet.
• A Practice Note: Washing of the Feet on Holy Thursday has been prepared to outline the recent change to the norms regarding this ritual.
• A template for parishes looking for a ritual to receive the oils sent to them from the Chrism Mass is available in MS Word or PDF format.