Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical calendar. It consists of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.
In the Catholic Church, Christmas is more than one day – it is a season that begins on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24), continues through the Feast of the Epiphany and includes the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God . Christmastide concludes with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord in January.
The forty days of Lent is reminiscent of Jesus’ forty days in the desert. Lent is a season of repentance and renewal in solidarity with those preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation to be received at Easter. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and continues until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.
The Triduum is the most important three days in the liturgical year. Holy Thursday (which commemorates the Last Supper), Good Friday (which commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion and death on the cross), and Holy Saturday (where the Church pauses to commemorate the Lord’s burial). The Easter Vigil is celebrated on Holy Saturday night when new members of the faith receive the Sacraments of Initiation and are welcomed into the Church.
Alleluia – He is Risen! The Easter season celebrates Christ’s resurrection from the dead, his victory over death. Christ’s Ascension into heaven is celebrated on the 7th Sunday after Easter. Eastertide concludes at Pentecost, where Jesus sends the Holy Spirit upon the apostles to spread the Gospel to all nations.
The season of Ordinary Time explores Christ’s mission and message through the Gospels. This season includes Trinity Sunday (which celebrates God’s self revelation as a Trinity of Persons) and Corpus Christi (which celebrates the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist). Ordinary Time concludes with the Solemnity of Christ the King which brings the liturgical year to a close.
2025 Second Collection Schedule for National, Local, and Global Ministries
March 8th- 9th, 2025
St. Helen of the Cross Parish will have a special collection for this local, national, or global Ministry
March 6th-April 16th, 2025
St. Helen of the Cross Parish will have a special collection for this local, national, or global Ministry
MARCH 29TH-30TH, 2025
St. Helen of the Cross Parish will have a special collection for this local, national, or global Ministry
April 18th of 2025
St. Helen of the Cross Parish will have a special collection for this local, national, or global Ministry
April 26th and 27th of 2025
St. Helen of the Cross Parish will have a special collection for this local, national, or global Ministry
May 31st and June 1st of 2025
St. Helen of the Cross Parish will have a special collection for this local, national, or global Ministry
June 28th and 29th of 2025
St. Helen of the Cross Parish will have a special collection for this local, national, or global Ministry
August 9th and 10th of 2025
St. Helen of the Cross Parish will have a special collection for this local, national, or global Ministry
September 27th and 28th of 2025
St. Helen of the Cross Parish will have a special collection for this local, national, or global Ministry
October 18th and 19th of 2025
St. Helen of the Cross Parish will have a special collection for this local, national, or global Ministry
November 15th and 16th of 2025
St. Helen of the Cross Parish will have a special collection for this local, national, or global Ministry
December 13th and 14th of 2025
St. Helen of the Cross Parish will have a special collection for this local, national, or global Ministry