Let the spirit come through
HAPPY EASTER! Our communications director will update this page to include Triduum pictures, livestreams, and Easter letters early next week (likely Tuesday or Wednesday). Thank you for your grace and understanding. In the meantime, let us celebrate Resurrection! (P.S. The pictures will be available first on our Facebook page--a MASSIVE thank you to our parish's beloved photographer, Deb Winarski!)
Pick up your copy of the St. John XXIII Parish 2025 Lenten Reflection Booklet at either church! Or, download a digital copy here in English or Spanish.
Click HERE for the Easter Vigil readings.
Worship Aids: Holy Thursday | Good Friday | Holy Saturday
Click HERE for the Easter Vigil readings.
Worship Aids: Holy Thursday | Good Friday | Holy Saturday
2025 Holy Week Schedule
Palm Sunday - Sunday, April 13
Saturday, April 12
Sunday, April 13
- Regular Saturday Vigil Mass at St. Mary Church
Sunday, April 13
- Regular Sunday Masses at both sites
Holy Thursday - Thursday, April 17
Thursday, April 17
- No 8 a.m. Daily Mass at either site
- 8:30 a.m. - Morning Prayer, Parish Center Chapel on the St. Mary Campus
- 7 p.m. - All-Parish Mass of the Lord's Supper (bilingual), St. Mary Church
Good Friday - Friday, April 18
Friday, April 18
- No 8 a.m. Daily Mass at either site
- 8:30 a.m. - Morning Prayer, Parish Center Chapel on the St. Mary Campus
- 9 a.m. - Neighborhood Way of the Cross, begins at St. Nicholas Church
- 3 p.m. - Ninth Hour Stations of the Cross, St. Mary Church
- 7 p.m. - All-Parish Celebration of the Lord's Passion (bilingual), St. Nicholas Church
Holy Saturday - Saturday, April 19
Saturday, April 19
- No 8 a.m. Daily Mass at either site
- 8 a.m. - Morning Prayer with OCIA Candidates and Catechumens / OCIA Preparation Rites, St. Nicholas Church
- 1 p.m. - Blessing of the Easter Baskets and Food, St. Nicholas Church
- No Reconciliation
- No 5 p.m. Mass
- 8 p.m. - All-Parish Easter Vigil, St. Nicholas Church
First Sunday of Easter - Sunday, April 30
Sunday, April 20
- Regular Sunday Masses at both sites
- 12 p.m. - Haitian Mass (French), St. Mary Church
A Message from the Liturgy Commission
TRIDUUM 2025: WHAT TO EXPECT
This message appeared as a bulletin insert in the Palm Sunday (April 13, 2025) bulletin.
This year, St. John XXIII Parish will celebrate our second unified Triduum and third unified Easter Vigil. The Liturgy Commission has reviewed notes and parishioner feedback from these celebrations to prepare for this year. In coordinating our unified liturgies, the Commission’s goal is to consider the feelings and preferences of individuals while balancing the requirements of the liturgical rubrics and the overall needs of the parish.
Bilingual Liturgies
St. John XXIII is proud to be a bilingual parish! In the past, we have accommodated this need by alternating languages within the readings. However, while researching best practices for bilingual worship, we learned from the Office for Divine Worship that all readings should be proclaimed in only one language—they should not be repeated in both languages. Therefore, readings will be proclaimed in a single language and printed in the other language in the worship aid. Our presiders’ homilies will also be delivered in a single language with summary translations provided in the worship aid.
Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7:00 p.m., St. Mary Church
The Liturgy Commission has heard the desire of parishioners to have greater visibility for the rite of the washing of the feet! As such, we will be providing additional stations in more visible areas. This year, the homily will be read in English. A translation will be provided in the worship aid.
Once again, we will be processing with the Blessed Sacrament out of the church and through the parking lot to the Altar of Repose in the St. Mary Gathering Space. For the sake of safety, if you need to leave early, please park on a side street or depart before the procession begins. Do not attempt to drive out of the parking lot while the procession is taking place.
Good Friday: Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, 7:00 p.m., St. Nicholas Church
While our parish hosts several other devotions on Good Friday, the liturgy of the Passion of the Lord is the most solemn commemoration and the second part of the unified liturgical event that is the Triduum. In discerning the time of day at which to hold this liturgy, the Commission considered tradition as well as the population of our parish. Ultimately, the Commission decided that an evening liturgy would best meet the needs of the majority of our parishioners.
This year, the Passion and the homily will both be read in Spanish, while the first two readings will be proclaimed in English. Translations will be provided in the worship aid. For Good Friday 2026, the languages of the readings will be reversed; it is our intention to continue to alternate year by year.
Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil, 8:00 p.m., St. Nicholas Church
About the Liturgy of the Word: Please be aware that we will be following the same format as described above: the readings will be proclaimed in one language only and printed in the worship aid in the other language. During the Liturgy of the Word, the church will be in near darkness. For ease of following along, the readings will be available on your phone via a QR code. (Yes! We are giving you permission to look at your silenced phone in church!) If you are more comfortable with the hard copy worship aid, please feel free to bring a small flashlight or use your phone’s flashlight. You may also find it useful to prepare yourself for the Vigil by accessing the readings ahead of time at stjohn23evanston.org/vigil.
About the Gospel Acclamation: St. Nicholas Church has long held the tradition of singing the hymn “Resucitó” during the Gospel procession at the Easter Vigil. In 2024, many parishioners noticed a change to the Gospel Acclamation and inquired about it. The Roman Missal calls for a three-fold Alleluia along with the verses of Psalm 118. The Commission emphasizes the importance of remaining united with the universal Church during this most solemn moment leading into the culmination of our extended Liturgy of the Word. While we have made this change in accordance with liturgical norms, we will continue to include the joyous singing of “Resucitó” as our recessional hymn!
About the Baptismal Rite: We are blessed to be celebrating six baptisms at the Easter Vigil this year! While it has long been customary for much of the congregation to process to the font along with the catechumens to surround them with our love, prayers, and support, our priests have requested that only the elect, their sponsors, and their immediate family members gather at the font. This is not only for safety reasons, but also to ensure that those who are not able to leave their seats will still be able to witness the rite. We encourage you to acknowledge the elect with a smile as they process through the congregation toward the font, but please remain seated and charitably allow all to have a view!
We joyfully anticipate celebrating these three days—days filled with some of the most beautiful treasures of our faith—with all of you. We hope you will join us as you are able, and we wish you all a blessed Holy Week!
This message appeared as a bulletin insert in the Palm Sunday (April 13, 2025) bulletin.
This year, St. John XXIII Parish will celebrate our second unified Triduum and third unified Easter Vigil. The Liturgy Commission has reviewed notes and parishioner feedback from these celebrations to prepare for this year. In coordinating our unified liturgies, the Commission’s goal is to consider the feelings and preferences of individuals while balancing the requirements of the liturgical rubrics and the overall needs of the parish.
Bilingual Liturgies
St. John XXIII is proud to be a bilingual parish! In the past, we have accommodated this need by alternating languages within the readings. However, while researching best practices for bilingual worship, we learned from the Office for Divine Worship that all readings should be proclaimed in only one language—they should not be repeated in both languages. Therefore, readings will be proclaimed in a single language and printed in the other language in the worship aid. Our presiders’ homilies will also be delivered in a single language with summary translations provided in the worship aid.
Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7:00 p.m., St. Mary Church
The Liturgy Commission has heard the desire of parishioners to have greater visibility for the rite of the washing of the feet! As such, we will be providing additional stations in more visible areas. This year, the homily will be read in English. A translation will be provided in the worship aid.
Once again, we will be processing with the Blessed Sacrament out of the church and through the parking lot to the Altar of Repose in the St. Mary Gathering Space. For the sake of safety, if you need to leave early, please park on a side street or depart before the procession begins. Do not attempt to drive out of the parking lot while the procession is taking place.
Good Friday: Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, 7:00 p.m., St. Nicholas Church
While our parish hosts several other devotions on Good Friday, the liturgy of the Passion of the Lord is the most solemn commemoration and the second part of the unified liturgical event that is the Triduum. In discerning the time of day at which to hold this liturgy, the Commission considered tradition as well as the population of our parish. Ultimately, the Commission decided that an evening liturgy would best meet the needs of the majority of our parishioners.
This year, the Passion and the homily will both be read in Spanish, while the first two readings will be proclaimed in English. Translations will be provided in the worship aid. For Good Friday 2026, the languages of the readings will be reversed; it is our intention to continue to alternate year by year.
Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil, 8:00 p.m., St. Nicholas Church
About the Liturgy of the Word: Please be aware that we will be following the same format as described above: the readings will be proclaimed in one language only and printed in the worship aid in the other language. During the Liturgy of the Word, the church will be in near darkness. For ease of following along, the readings will be available on your phone via a QR code. (Yes! We are giving you permission to look at your silenced phone in church!) If you are more comfortable with the hard copy worship aid, please feel free to bring a small flashlight or use your phone’s flashlight. You may also find it useful to prepare yourself for the Vigil by accessing the readings ahead of time at stjohn23evanston.org/vigil.
About the Gospel Acclamation: St. Nicholas Church has long held the tradition of singing the hymn “Resucitó” during the Gospel procession at the Easter Vigil. In 2024, many parishioners noticed a change to the Gospel Acclamation and inquired about it. The Roman Missal calls for a three-fold Alleluia along with the verses of Psalm 118. The Commission emphasizes the importance of remaining united with the universal Church during this most solemn moment leading into the culmination of our extended Liturgy of the Word. While we have made this change in accordance with liturgical norms, we will continue to include the joyous singing of “Resucitó” as our recessional hymn!
About the Baptismal Rite: We are blessed to be celebrating six baptisms at the Easter Vigil this year! While it has long been customary for much of the congregation to process to the font along with the catechumens to surround them with our love, prayers, and support, our priests have requested that only the elect, their sponsors, and their immediate family members gather at the font. This is not only for safety reasons, but also to ensure that those who are not able to leave their seats will still be able to witness the rite. We encourage you to acknowledge the elect with a smile as they process through the congregation toward the font, but please remain seated and charitably allow all to have a view!
We joyfully anticipate celebrating these three days—days filled with some of the most beautiful treasures of our faith—with all of you. We hope you will join us as you are able, and we wish you all a blessed Holy Week!
Additional Lenten Resources
Daily Inspiration for Your Lenten Journey (2025 Calendar) | United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
St. John XXIII Parish Lenten Reflection Booklet | English | Spanish
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for Lent 2025 | The Holy See
National Pastoral Migratoria Lenten Rosary (Sorrowful Mysteries) | English | Spanish
What is Lent? | United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Fasting & Abstinence | USCCB
Solidarity Bridge (our 2025 Lenten partner)
Women's Voices During Lent | Catholic Women Preach
Hallow | Catholic Meditation App (90-day free trial available during Lent)
Lenten Activities for Families | Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl
Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Weekly Stories of Hope | Intro | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5
St. John XXIII Parish Lenten Reflection Booklet | English | Spanish
Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for Lent 2025 | The Holy See
National Pastoral Migratoria Lenten Rosary (Sorrowful Mysteries) | English | Spanish
What is Lent? | United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Fasting & Abstinence | USCCB
Solidarity Bridge (our 2025 Lenten partner)
Women's Voices During Lent | Catholic Women Preach
Hallow | Catholic Meditation App (90-day free trial available during Lent)
Lenten Activities for Families | Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl
Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Weekly Stories of Hope | Intro | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5
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