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. Sic transit gloria
mundi.
On Holy Thursday (7:00
PM Mass) 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) The Blessed Sacrament will remain in
the repository in our chapel until 10 PM, where there is time for silent
prayer and adoration.
The liturgy of the Passion
of the Lord on Good Friday (3 PM Service) 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. In
addition, the Stations of the Cross will be observed in the chapel
at 7 PM. (This day remains a day of fast—one full meal—and abstinence from
meat.)
The Easter Vigil (8
PM Mass) 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. (Unfortunately,
there are no candidates or catechumens in our parish for the vigil Mass
this year. We certainly need to
encourage others among our family and friends who are not Catholic to consider
becoming Catholic.) 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. All of us need to be reminded of the saving events Christ undertook out of love for us, sinners. Any extra time we might choose to spend in Church pales in comparison to His many hours of suffering when He was mocked, tortured and died for us on the cross.
The Masses
for Easter Sunday are at the usual times: 8:30 AM and 11 AM.
Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor
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