NEWS RELEASE
March 15, 2024

Contact: Very Rev. Michael Balash, Director, Office of Worship, (330) 744-8451, ext. 282, mbalash@youngstowndiocese.org

PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD WEEKEND, MARCH 23-24, 2024    

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 23, at 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 24, at 10:30 a.m. and at 4:00 p.m. Palms will be blessed and distributed at each Mass.

HOLY TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2024

Parishioners from across the Diocese representing the 89 parishes, missions and schools in the six county Catholic Diocese of Youngstown will demonstrate the unity of the diocesan Church as they gather at the Cathedral of Saint Columba in Youngstown for the Mass of Holy Chrism on Holy Tuesday March 26, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar will be principal celebrant. Priests concelebrating in the sanctuary will include Diocesan Consultors and Deans. Included in the Chrism Mass is the annual renewal of the diocesan and religious priests of their commitment to priestly service.

An additional focus of this Liturgy will be the consecration of the Sacred Chrism and blessing of the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens. At the close of Mass each pastor will receive Sacred Chrism and the other Holy Oils for use in their parish.

The Chrism Mass will be available via live stream on the Catholic Echo website: www.catholicecho.org/live/. It will also be broadcast in Stark County on Thursday, March 28, at 10:00 p.m. In the Conneaut area, please consult the parish bulletin for date and time.

HOLY THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2024

The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 28. The Cathedral will remain open until 9:30 p.m. for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  Security will be provided.

FRIDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD, MARCH 29, 2024

On Good Friday, the Passion of the Lord and Veneration of the Cross Service will be at 3:00 p.m. at Saint Columba Cathedral. During this service the annual collection for the Holy Land, which helps preserve the holy places of Christ’s homeland and helps alleviate the suffering of the poor of every faith in the Holy Land, takes place.

HOLY SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2024

On Holy Saturday, the Blessing of the Easter Food will take place at 3:00 p.m. The Easter Vigil will take place at 8:00 p.m. with the Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, presiding.

EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD, MARCH 31, 2024

Mass on Easter Sunday will be at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The Cathedral Choir under the direction of Mr. Ralph Holtzhauser will be featured at the 12:30 p.m. Mass. The 4:00 p.m. Mass will not be celebrated on Easter Sunday.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available at Saint Columba Cathedral on Monday, March 25, at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 26, at 1:00 p.m. and Wednesday, March 27, at 1:00 p.m.