Saint Paul Catholic Parish, Athens

Lenten Obligations:  Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.  The norms on fasting are obligatory for ages 18-59.  When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.  The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding from age 14 and over.

Palm Sunday Masses

• Saturday (April 12) at 5:00pm, 6:30pm (Spanish)
• Sunday (April 13) at 8:30am (Procession, weather permitting), 10:30am

Holy Thursday

• 7:00pm Mass of the Lord's Supper and Washing of the Feet
• Adoration until 10:00pm in the Chapel

Good Friday

• Stations of the Cross at 3:00pm (Outdoors, weather permitting)
• Veneration of the Cross at 7:00pm

Holy Saturday

• Easter Vigil Mass at 8:00pm (Bilingual)

Easter Sunday Masses: 8:30am, 10:30am

Lenten Activities

• Stations of the Cross - Fridays at 5:30pm in the Church.  Join us in the Hall for a Lenten Dinner following Stations.
• H.O.P.E at the Well Prayer Group: Meets every Thursday at 6:00 pm.

We will have our annual Easter egg hunt on April 20 and we are looking for candy donations. If you would like to donate candy, please drop it off in the church vestibule or at the office.

Searching for a spiritually fulfilling destination for your Jubilee of Hope 2025 pilgrimage?  The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville has been designated by Bishop Steven Raica as a Jubilee Year site by the Diocese of Birmingham. Located on a 400-acre site, the Shrine is an ideal place to experience a deep sense of peace and serenity with the opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence for yourself or for a soul in Purgatory.  Pilgrims are invited to walk the beautiful grounds and encounter the many opportunities for spiritual refreshment.  Visit www.olamshrine.com/jubilee or call 256-352-6267 or email info@olamshrine.com for more information on the Shrine and ways to plan a pilgrimage for the jubilee year.

Join us in the Parish Hall on Sundays.

• At 9:30am, we have a full breakfast on select Sundays and donuts and coffee the other days.
• The Hispanic community sells breakfast items on Sundays from 10:00am to 12:00pm.  The plate is $5.00 per person.

The Chapel is open Monday through Friday 9:00am - 1:00pm with Adoration on Friday.

If you would like to have Mass said in memory of or in honor of a loved one or a special intention, please call the office as early as possible.  Scheduling one month prior is best for availability.

If you would like to provide flowers in memory or honor of a loved one or for a special occasion, please contact the office or Jayne Higginbotham at 256-206-0266.

OCIA:  If you are not Catholic and are interested in learning about the Catholic faith, this program is for you.  It is also for all Catholic adults who are not yet Confirmed.  For more information, contact Pam McCue at 256-603-8624 or ocia@stpaulathens.org or call the church office at 256-232-4191.

We, the Christian community of St. Paul, are committed to serving the Lord and His people through witnessing and stewardship of time, talent and treasure, and, rooted in the Word and Tradition, are focused on encountering Him in the Breaking of the Bread.