“The Eucharist feeds and forms the Church: "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread" (1 Cor 10:17). This ecclesial dimension intrinsic to the Eucharist is realized in every Eucharistic celebration. But it is expressed most especially on the day when the whole community comes together to commemorate the Lord's Resurrection. Significantly, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "the Sunday celebration of the Lord's Day and his Eucharist
is at the heart of the Church's life".
– Dies Domini, 41
The liturgical season of Lent ends quietly on the afternoon of Holy Thursday as the Paschal Triduum begins. The word triduum means “three days” in Latin. This period of time encompasses the three-day period from the evening on Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday evening. While many expect the Triduum to end with Holy Saturday, it actually extends through Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday.
These three days from Thursday evening to Sunday evening unfold the entirety of Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection—his Paschal Mystery— “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.” Each of the celebrations of the Triduum is unique in the story it reveals; however, these celebrations do not stand alone. These three great holy days are celebrated as one liturgy because death is not to be separated from resurrection. The Paschal Triduum is the “high point of the entire liturgical year” (Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, 18).
Fr.MatthewD.Stanley,Pastor
Our entire Parish Staff joins in extending to you our best wishes and all the joy of Easter. Since Easter is fifty days long, we willhave many opportunities to greet you personally and to thank you for the life you bring to Saint Nicholas and Saint William.
We extend a word of appreciation to all who made offerings for our Easter flowers and plants, to all those involved in our Triduum Liturgies, as well as those who decorated our chapel and hall. Thanks to all who sacrificed to make our Holy Week prayerful,spiritual, and inviting. Your Easter gift to the parish helps us to continue the mission the Risen Lord has given to his Church. Weare deeply grateful for your generosity in our Easter collection.
“The stone was rolled away, not only to permit Christ to come out, but for his disciples to go in.”
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The Parish Office will be closed from
Holy Thursday, April 2
through Easter Monday, April 6.
We will reopen on Easter Tuesday, April 3.
Please plan accordingly
Saint Nicholas and Saint William Parish Holy Week 2026
St. Nicholas Church - 473 Lincoln Ave. Los Altos, CA 94022 St. WilliamChurch - 611 S. El Monte Ave. Los Altos, CA 94022
TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK – March 31
Stations of the Cross at 7:00 PM (St. William Church)
WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK – April 1
Adoration and Confessions at 6:00 PM, Holy Mass at 7:00 PM
TENEBRAE (A Service from Light to Darkness) at7:30 PM (St. Nicholas Church)
HOLY THURSDAY – April 2
Morning Prayer: 8:00 AM (St. Nicholas Church)
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper: 7:00 PM* (St. William Church) Altar of Repose until 12:00 AM - Solemn Adoration & Night Prayer
GOOD FRIDAY – April 3
Morning Prayer: 8:00 AM (St. Nicholas Church)
Confessions: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM (St. William Church)
Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
Liturgy of the Word, Adoration of the Holy Cross, Holy Communion 12:00 PM* (St. William Church)
3:00 PM (St. Nicholas Church)
6:00 PM (St. Nicholas Church)
HOLY SATURDAY – April 4
Morning Prayer: 8:00 AM (St. Nicholas Church)
THE EASTER VIGIL
IN THE HOLY NIGHT – April 4
8:00 PM (St. William Church)
Service of Light, Liturgy of the Word, Baptismal Liturgy
Gather at the place of the Easter Fire
EASTER SUNDAY
of the RESURRECTION OF THE LORD – April 5
8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 5:00 PM French (St. Nicholas Church)
9:00 AM (10:00 am Easter Egg hunt) & 11:00 AM* (St. William Church)