Based on parishioner feedback and recent years’ experience, St. Anthony’s is making a few changes to our procedure during this year’s Easter Vigil. Our goal is to make the Easter Vigil accessible to as many people as possible, while honoring the Vigil’s place as a solemn and reverent Mass that celebrates Easter and receives our candidates and catechumens into the Church.

Changes to Seating:

First and foremost, we want to ensure that there is adequate seating for those joining the church—our candidates and catechumens—along with their sponsors and guests. We will be sectioning off pews with seat-signs reserving space for these individuals.

Second, we will be opening up the Parish Hall for overflow seating. This will provide hundreds of extra seats. Mass will be live-streamed via televisions and projectors in the Parish Hall. We understand that it is preferable to be in the church proper, but considering recent years’ attendance, this will allow us to better seat all those who wish to attend.

Third, in light of increased seating, we will be closing the Church on Saturday afternoon (after the Easter Basket blessing at 2:00pm) and the doors will remain locked until 7:00pm. We ask that parishioners do not enter the Church during this time of preparation. We will open the front doors of the church at 7:00pm, and parishioners may come in, respectfully, to take a seat. The Vigil Mass will begin at 9:00pm.

Fourth, we are requesting that parishioners do not try to save seats in advance, especially with the use of coats. We will remove coats, bags, or other items that have been left in the pews.

Changes to Greek Feast:

The Greek Feast will be celebrated in the lot to the North of St. Anthony’s. We will be renting a tent big enough to fit 360 people at one time, which is more than our parish hall holds. Food will be received in the parish hall, as usual, and afterwards parishioners will head outside to eat. The tent will be supplied with propane heaters, lighting, walls, and rain gutters.

We thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we implement these new procedures.