Holy Week services slated

The most solemn week of the Christian year is next week, known as Holy Week. It is really not a full week, but the number of special services and remembrances make five days seem much longer and perhaps are more impactful for the intensity of those five days.

Specific times and places can be found elsewhere in this week’s paper, but here is a summary of what is on the calendar in Boca Grande for Holy Week: All island churches will celebrate Palm Sunday weekend, with palm branches being distributed as a symbol of Christ’s triumphant entrance into Jerusalem more than 2000 years ago. The jubilation of this day is dampened by the church readings that recount what the rest of the week will be honoring: the passion and death of Jesus. Thursday is Maundy or Holy Thursday, with services at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Lighthouse Methodist and St. Andrew’s.

Good Friday includes the remembrance of Jesus’ walk to his death, carrying his own cross: the Stations of the Cross. Fr. Anthony Hewett, the priest of Our Lady of Mercy, will begin a procession through Boca Grande, starting at the parish on Park Avenue at noon. Good Friday services will be held at Our Lady of Mercy beginning at 1:15 p.m. St. Andrews will also have Good Friday services at 1:15 p.m. Holy Saturday or Easter Vigil services will be at Our Lady of Mercy’s Parish Life Center at 8:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday will begin with an ecumenical sunrise service at the Range Light; the State Park is closed at the south end. Some parking is available at the end of Wheeler St, with limited handicapped parking at the State Park lot adjacent to the Range Light. That service will include all leaders of the island’s churches and is open to all. It is scheduled to begin at 6:45 a.m. Participants are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets; parking is tight so share or take a golf cart if you can.