Holy Hour & Prayer of Thanksgiving Schedule
Saturday, May 16th, 2026
2:30 pm
St. John XXIII
St. Mary’s Church Site
451 Johnson St.
Port Washington , WI 53074
Following the Holy Hour, Father Alex will celebrate his Mass of Thanksgiving
4:30 pm
What is the Mass of Thanksgiving?
The Mass of Thanksgiving is the first Mass the newly ordained priest celebrates after his Ordination Mass. Traditionally this Mass is celebrated in the home parish of the newly ordained priest. The Mass will be celebrated in the fullness of the Roman Catholic rite and will include beautiful music and many faithful witnesses to the faith for the newly ordained priest. After the Mass of Thanksgiving, the newly ordained priest is blessed to give First Priestly Blessings, which is a blessing that only newly ordained priests can give for one year after their ordination.
"Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:26-28
What is a Holy Hour?
The Holy Hour is a daily part of the priestly life. To take time out of one's day and give it to the Lord Jesus. The priest is nothing without Christ, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:4-5
Fr. Alex invites you to join him in silent prayer and devotion, giving thanks to God for the gift of the priesthood and especially His Son, Jesus Christ our Savior.
Have you seen with the eyes of your soul how
He looks at you with love?
He longs for you…
He thirsts for you…
He loves you always even when you don’t feel worthy…
He is the one who always accepts you.
– SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA
