Holy Week Schedule
Palm Sunday, April 8/9
Weekend Masses are as usual. 5:00 p.m. Saturday; 8:00, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
Holy Thursday – Mass of the Lord’s Supper, April 13
Mass at 7:30 p.m., followed by Adoration in the church.
Good Friday, April 14
Outdoor Stations of the Cross at 3:00 p.m., weather permitting; Veneration of the Cross at 7:30 p.m.
Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil, April 15
Easter Vigil Mass at 8:00 p.m. (No 5:00 p.m. Mass) This is the most amazing Mass of the whole year, when we proclaim that He is Risen! Come join us!
Masses for Easter Sunday, April 16
Christ is Risen! Sunday Masses are as usual. 8:00, 9:30, 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
Resources for Spiritual Enrichment
- WMET 1160 AM Catholic Radio
- 91.9 WGTS FM Radio – Christian Contemporary music
- 95.1 WRBS Shine FM Radio – Christian Contemporary
- Read or listen to the daily Mass readings:
- Sacred Space (
- Busted Halo (
Looking Ahead….
- First Communion is Sunday, May 7, 11:30 a.m. Mass.
- Confirmation is Sat., May 20 at 2:00 PM at the Shrine.
- Fall Bazaar – Friday-Saturday, October 27-28, 2017
Lent 2017 Activities
St. Nicholas Catholic Church 8603 Contee Road, Laurel, MD 20708
301-490-5116
Visit our website:
CRS Rice Bowl—Helping the Poor at Home and Abroad
Each household is invited to take home a cardboard “Rice Bowl” and fill it with coins and bills throughout Lent, as part of your Lenten sacrifice. Return it to church at any of the Holy Week services. Of the monies collected, 25% stays in our area and 75% goes to help the poor around the world.
Lenten Reflection Bookletsfrom Word Among Us
Available after all Masses for a suggested donation of $1.00. The booklet has the Mass readings for each day of lent, plus a daily reflection and helpful articles.
Ash Wednesday is March 1
Ash Wednesday is March 1 and is a day of fast and abstinence. Ash Wednesday Masses will be held at 6:30 a.m., Noon, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Lenten Sunday Supper with DVD Series on Prayer
Come from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on the Sundays of Lent, March 5, 19, 26, April 2 and 9, for a free simple meal followed by a DVD series on prayer. Enjoy fellowship as we explore the essentials of an effective and fruitful prayer life. We will learn how to hear God’s voice and express ourselves to God in prayer.
40 Days for Life Campaign on Tuesdays of Lent
Join in prayer to end abortion on Tuesdays from 5:00-6:00 p.m., March 7, 14, 21, 28 and April 4. A group will leave from the church at 4:30 p.m., carpooling to Metropolitan Family Planning, 5915 Greenbelt Rd., College Park, MD. Join us or pray from home. Call Dorie for more info: 301-498-7649.
“The Light Is On”Confessions on Wednesdays of Lent
Confessions will be held on the Wednesdays of Lent, March 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5and 12 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Fr. Jack Kennealy and Fr. Paul Hill will alternate weeks.
Lenten First Friday Mass and Stations of the Cross
On Friday, March 3 and Friday, April 7, there will be Mass at 6:30 p.m., followed by Stations of the Cross at 7:00 p.m. and Adoration at 7:30 p.m.
Stations of the Cross on Fridays of Lent
On Fridays of Lent, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, and April 7, there will be Stations of the Cross at 7:00 p.m. Note: On Good Friday Stations of the Cross will be at 3:00 p.m.
Lenten Reconciliation Service
Our parish Lenten Reconciliation Service will be on Monday, March 27 at 7:00 pm. There will be a brief prayer service and then confessions. Several priests will hear confessions.
Lenten Food Drive
Please donate non-perishable items to our annual Lenten Food Drive. The filled bags are due at St. Nicholas after the March 25/26 Masses. Donations go to Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services.
Movie and Pizza Night
On Saturday, March 11, families are invited to come for pizza and a children’s movie from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the church.
Decorate Outdoor Crosses for Easter
We need volunteers—families, individuals and parish organizations—to decorate the 14 crosses that line the church parking lot during Holy Week. Please call Brinda to volunteer by April 2: 301-490-5116.
The Stones of My Life: The Story of Creation to Crucifixion by Fr. Vincent Donovan (our former pastor). On Monday of Holy Week, April 10, at 7:00 p.m., come watch a DVD of this musical presentation, followed by wine and cheese.
Lenten Revival! “Rebuild My Church”
Sunday to Thursday, March 12-16 at 7:00 p.m.
Msgr. Ray East, one of the best preachers in the country and pastor of St. Theresa of Avila Church in Washington, will help revive our souls in preparation for Easter. He will preach Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Deacon Tim Tilghman will preach Wednesday. Come enjoy faith and fellowship, music and refreshments. Everyone is welcome – invite a friend! We are going to be mightbe mightily blessed!