Dear Parishioners,
This weekend we begin the most
sacred week of the year for Christians.
We recall Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. We are reminded of all that God has done for
us in sending us His Only Begotten Son.
Palm Sunday recalls Jesus’ triumphant entry into the city of
Jerusalem. His royal reception sees Him
being lauded by the crowd: Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he
who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest. (Mt. 21:9) However, entering Jerusalem meant that
Jesus was now ready to begin His bitter passion and to face death on a cross. The crowd quickly turned on Him as they
chanted: Let him be crucified! . . . Let him be crucified! (Mt. 27: 22-23)
We can see how quickly any glory
and honor that the world may have for
any of us can change to ridicule, scorn and even hatred.
On Holy Thursday (7:30 PM Mass, Worship Center) we recall the Last Supper where Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist and the Ministerial Priesthood. Priesthood and the Holy Eucharist are intimately
connected: without the Priesthood, there
would be no Holy Eucharist. Jesus’
actions also remind us of the call to service displayed by the mandatum or washing of the apostles’
feet. Do you realize what I have done
for you? You call me
‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher,
have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model
to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. (Jn. 13: 12-15)
This year we will process with
the Blessed Sacrament form the Worship Center to St. Patrick Church where time for silent prayer will take place at
the repository until 10 PM. (Adoration
will not be held in the Worship
Center this year but in St. Patrick Church.)
The liturgy of the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday (3 PM, St. Patrick Church) has 3 main components: a reading of the passion account from St.
John’s gospel followed by various intercessions, veneration of the cross and
Holy Communion. Masses are not
offered on Good Friday.
The Easter Vigil (8 PM, Worship Center) is not
intended as a Mass to be rushed through quickly. (Please note:
Mass usually lasts minimally about 2 hours.) There are so many beautiful parts that, if
done reverently and properly, should not be hurried or omitted. We begin with a lighting of the Easter fire
and a candlelight ceremony. Then follows
the singing of the Exultet or Easter
Proclamation. Salvation history is
traced through a series of readings as the congregation is reminded of how God
has continued to work in and through every age.
After the readings comes the time to bring new members into the Catholic
Church through Baptism and the
reception of other Sacraments of
Initiation (Confirmation & Holy Communion). The Easter water is blessed at this time and
sprinkled on the congregation as we renew our baptismal promises. Finally, Mass continues in normal fashion
with the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Please consider participation
in these liturgies of the Easter Triduum. We all need to be reminded of what Christ has
done for us. The little time that we
might spend in Church pales in comparison to the hours that he suffered for us
on the cross.
Also, the last scheduled time
for Confession (the Sacrament of Penance
and Reconciliation) before Easter is Wednesday,
April 17 at 7 PM in St. Patrick Church.
For all of you procrastinators, please take note of this important
opportunity.
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor
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