Worship

Pastor's Letter

y Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

In the holy Gospel today, God sent Jesus to liberate people, to bring them to a fuller life. We see Jesus trying to free both men and women from what imprisons them, and to bring them out of the darkness and into the light of communion with God and with each other. We see how quickly God responds to David's confession and how appreciatively Jesus speaks of the woman to Simon. God is our forgiving Father who desires to lift any burden caused by sin. We pray to be given the courage to confess honestly what we have done and what we have failed to do.

The warmer weather is finally upon us. Please be mindful that modest and appropriate dress is expected in the Basilica! The air-conditioning works well and there is no reason to be "too informal" when it come to the Holy Mass!

Next weekend we will have the Peter's Pence second collection to help support Pope Frances's charitable efforts throughout the world. Please do what you can to assist our Holy Father.

Please make a pledge to support the parish in our ADA effort. We still have quite a way to go to make our goal. It is a sacrifice we can make in the name of the Lord. Pledge cards are available in the back of the church.

A happy and blessed Father's Day to all our fathers. We appreciate your witness to the faith!

May the Lord continue to bless us all as we continue our journey to His heavenly kingdom!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Reverend Aquinas M. Nichols
Pastor

Liturgy at the Basilica

The Source and Summit of Christian Life

t. John's parish seeks to be a model of renewed liturgy and a place of prayer for all who visit.
The Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, occupy a central role in the liturgical activity of the Basilica family. Through the public worship of the Church, visitors throughout the country (and lately the world), experience the presence of God in a profound way.
The worship of God truly forms the source and summit of the Church's life and the mission of the Basilica of St. John.

Interior of Basilica Pillars

Mass Information

Saturday: 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM (Vigil)
Sunday: 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM (Festive Sung Mass)
Holy Days: Mass are usually 12:00 PM (Noon), and 7:00 PM. Please call the parish office for any Mass schedule changes.
Ash Wednesday: Mass at 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m. with distribution of ashes.
The following Holidays and Civic observances are the exceptions:

January 1st, Mary the Mother of God - 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Memorial Day 9:00 a.m.
Independence Day 9:00 a.m.
Labor Day 9:00 a.m.
Thanksgiving Day 9:00 a.m.
Christmas Eve 4:00 pm.(Childrens Mass) and Midnight Mass
Christmas Day 10:30 a.m.

Weekdays: 12:00 PM (Noon)
First Saturday: 9:00 AM
Ash Wednesday 12:00 PM (Noon) and 7:00 PM
Friday during Lent - Stations of the Cross 7:00 PM

Reconciliation Information

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Saturday afternoon from 2:45 PM until 3:45 PM, or by appointment by calling the parish office at 515-244-3101.
Communal Penance for Easter will be: March 16th, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.

Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament

As a parish we adore Our Lord in the most Blessed Sacrament with Eucharistic Adoration on:

Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Please come and visit our Lord and if you can commit to taking an hour for us that would be of great assistance to us . Contact Rosemary at 244-3101 ext. 204 to become one of our Adorers.

Holy Week Schedule 2013

Palm Sunday, March, 24th, 2013

8:30 AM & 10:30 AM Mass

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week 2013

Daily Mass at 12:00 PM (Noon)
No Adoration on Monday, Wednesday & Friday of Holy Week — We will resume on Wednesday, April 3rd.

Celebration of the Lord's Supper, March 28th, 2013

No Adoration during the day
Office closed at 12:00 PM (Noon)
Seder Meal (in Mulvihill Hall) at 6:00 PM
Solemn Mass at 7:30 PM
Adoration until 10:00 PM

Good Friday of the Lord's Passion, March 29, 2013

No Adoration during the day
Solemn Stations of the Cross at 3:00 PM, Chaplet of Divine Mercy-after
Solemn Liturgical Service (Veneration of the Cross) at 7:30 PM

Holy Saturday of the Lord's Rest, March 30, 2013

7:30 AM (RCIA meets in Hall)
RCIA practice in the Basilica at 8:00 AM
Church decorating begins at 9:00 AM
Altar Server practice in the Basilica at 9:00 AM
Instrumental Practice begins at 12:30 p.m.
Solemn Easter Vigil at 8:00 PM

Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013

(No Coffee and Donuts today)
Mass at 8:30 AM
Solemn Sung Mass at 10:30 AM

Easter Monday, April 1st, 2013

Office closed, No Adoration
Weekday Mass at 12:00 noon

Printer Friendly copy of Holyweek Schedule

Sacred Sound in Sacred Space

hether it is the beautiful sounds of our thirty-eight rank Casavant pipe organ, the grand piano, a guitar, a flute, or harp, the combination of musical instrument, superb acoustics and voice make the Basilica of St. John a musical experience. The Basilica Organ

With 1,998 pipes which range from a few inches to sixteen feet, the Casavant pipe-organ is considered one of the best "in-space" instruments in this region.

From its roots in the Old Testament temple worship, the sacred liturgy of the Church has always seen music as an integral part of our worship. This is no more evident than here at the Basilica of St. John. Whether your tastes run from traditional Gregorian Chant, to contemporary worship with our folk group, to our ethnic diversity with the beautiful music from our Vietnamese and Hispanic choirs, to the timeless classics of the bell choir and our outstanding Basilica Choir, we live to "make a joyful noise," at the Basilica of St. John. In the words of St. Augustine, "He who sings, prays twice."

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