Inspiring and Joyful Easter Celebration at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Norwood

Ah, Easter time. It is the ultimate day of renewal, hope, triumph and sparkly Easter eggs. It is also a huge celebration that is worth spending the entire day with the family, and what better way to kick off the start of this holy day than by going to church to celebrate!

The Norwood community is very rich in culture and vibrancy, and St. Catherine's Parish is no exception! On this special Easter time of renewal and sanctity, St. Catherine's of Siena Parish in Norwood, MA is a great church to attend. Adorned with brilliant colors and flowers around the altar, the church is just teeming with life and joy in the celebration of Christ's triumph over death. The booming organ music with the famous St. Catherine's Adult Choir (featured on a Christmas CD), adds to the richness and beauty of the day and sends everyone to their feet enthusiastically singing along.

St. Catherine's offers a great repertoire for the Easter celebration, starting with Passion Week. On Holy Thursday, several pews are reserved for those who choose to have their feet washed, a long-standing tradition that recalls when Christ washed the feet of his Apostles; here, the priests and assistants wash the feet, a truly humble and beautiful process. On Holy Friday, the church contents are stripped from the altar, symbolizing the torture and death of Christ on the cross. Then Holy Saturday is offered in a three hour long symbolic ceremony, in which the Easter bonfire is lit (outside the church), candidates are baptized into the faith, mass is celebrated by candlelight, and is brought to life at midnight with booming music, beautiful altar flowers, joyful voices, and happy hearts. Never was the point made so clearly as this day, when Christ, the light of the world, was resurrected into Heaven by this celebration. The use of dramatic symbolism and deep contemplative prayer is a really humbling and awe-inspiring experience. Easter Sunday is just as colorful and symbolic. Mass goers in white spring attire line up into the pews and eagerly rejoice, laughing, smiling, and singing all the more displaying as much joy as Saturday.

Mass times for Passion Week are as follows:

Holy Thursday: 12:00 pm, 5:00 pm

Good Friday: 12:00 pm

Holy Saturday/Easter Vigil: 8:00 pm

Easter Sunday: 8 am, 10:00 am, 11:30 am

More can be found on their website : http://server1.stcatherinenorwood.org/cms/