Holy Week and Easter 2026

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 (7:30 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

Homily for Palm Sunday "A" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Homily for the 5th Sunday in Lent "A" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

(At times the auto-focus of the camera unfortunately was fixed on the candles in the foreground and blurred the image of the preacher.) 

Lenten Advice for the Procrastinator, Underachiever or Spiritual Slug

 

Dear Parishioners,

How is your Lent so far? Lent is nearing its end. Next week is Palm Sunday and Holy Week begins. Maybe you attempted only some of the recommended practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Maybe you did little or nothing. Maybe you tried, failed and then gave up entirely.

Stop! It is never too late to pick up the pieces and move forward once again. It is not too late to start changing your life for the better. I have been there. Sadly, there were times in the past when I would think that my practice of Lent seemed to be a failure (or at least much less than I originally, idealistically intended.) Let me give some advice looking forward.

First, make sure you take some time to examine your conscience thoroughly and get to the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (confession) before Easter. To me, there is nothing more fruitful for a person than to humble oneself before God and to admit one’s sinfulness to Him in this grace-filled sacrament. I have seen lives dramatically change over my past four decades of hearing people’s sins. I know well that I too am a sinful human instrument in this process. However, it is Jesus who forgives the sins. As a Catholic priest, I absolve in His Name. We all need God’s forgiveness and He indeed is abundantly merciful. Don’t wait to the last minute when the confession lines tend to get long. To borrow a Nike slogan: Just do it!

Second, add some prayer time to what you are already attempting. Maybe you can pray a rosary, open the Holy Bible and start reading, participate in the Stations of the Cross, go to daily Mass, make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, or go to your inner room and simply talk to God from the heart. These and other personal ways of trying to connect with the Almighty—the God who created you, loves you and redeemed you—are never a waste of time. God hears all, sees all and knows the deepest longing of our hearts. Talk to Him. He’s waiting.

Next, if you are ready for the ultimate challenge, attempt a No Device Day. I have often recommended this as a means of penance (or fasting). Put the phone or tablet down. Shut off the computer. Go radio silence for the day. I think today some might call it ghosting—disappearing with no contact or communication. We are just too dependent on technology for most everything. Maybe it will have to occur on a day off from work, when we do not have business or other obligations, but try to do it if you can. It is actually quite liberating. God often speaks in the silence.

Finally, do something nice for someone without expecting any recognition or reciprocity. This personally chosen act of charity should make someone’s life a little better or easier. There is no limit to the creative ways in which we can help others. Decide on one.

Honestly, we never really know how much time we have left, do we?

Take action while there’s still time to make a difference in your life and in someone else’s life this Lent.

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Easter: A Time for Renewed Hope

Dear Parishioners,

I can only imagine how desperate the situation must have seemed to His apostles as Jesus was experiencing His brutal passion and death. To see your spiritual leader, the one whom you believed was the long-awaited messiah, suffer and die like a common criminal had to be devastating. We know most of them fled and went into hiding. Peter was so terrified that he denied the Lord three times, as Jesus had predicted. What do we do now? Where do we go from here?

Yes, there were a few who remained faithful and by the cross until the bitter end: Mary Magdalene, the Beloved Disciple John and Jesus’ own Mother Mary. How great must have been the emotional pain that they felt as they helplessly watched His suffering up close. Seeing every last breath coming from a beaten, broken body had to be stamped like a branding iron into their memories. How could this possibly happen?

Salvation and the forgiveness of sin came with a price: the suffering and death of the Son of God. Holy Week recalls these events. The crucifix in our churches (and homes) reminds us of the greatest act of sacrificial love. But the story does not end here.

Resurrection and new life followed. Jesus conquered sin and death. The grave was not His final resting place.  He is alive!

With all of the suffering and death continuing throughout our world, we need to preach this message loud and clear: Jesus is our salvation. He brings us hope in every situation, no matter how desperate.

I realize how difficult these times can be for all of us.  In recent memory, we have seen closed churches and sacraments being limited, Holy Week and Easter services on TV or through the internet and other unprecedented occurrences. We have to deal with ongoing wars and global conflicts and an uncertain economy. Despite it all, God is still in charge.  He allows this to happen for a reason, which I suspect is an urgent plea for us to return to Him with all our being. We cannot exist at all without His Divine Assistance. 

What do we do now? Where do we go from here? Do we seek resurrection and new life for ourselves and our loved ones? Do we want to find hope in any desperate situation? Jesus is our salvation. There is no other way.

I continue to hope and to pray. Easter gives renewed hope to all Christians as we realize Christ is alive! He is Risen! Death has no more power over Him. Although it may seem, at times, that the season of Lent continues in our lives and that Good Friday has not yet ended, trust in Jesus. Stand by Him at the foot of the cross. Resurrection and new life will come.

I assure you of my continued prayers and Masses for your health and spiritual well-being. Please pray for me. I appreciate all of your kindness and expressions of love and support!  

I may not have all the answers to what lies ahead but I certainly know Who does: Jesus, Our Risen Lord!  

Happy Easter!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 4th Sunday in Lent "A" (Laetare Sunday) - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Never Ending Wars and Military Conflicts

 

Dear Parishioners,

As I write this, the USA is involved in a military conflict with the nation of Iran. I have lived long enough to know that war is not a moral good in and of itself and that there must be a just cause to be morally involved in one. Since the time I was a child I recall conflicts in areas surrounding Vietnam, Korea, Central and South America, Bosnia (former Yugoslavia), the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Israel, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, Ukraine, Gaza, Venezuela, and now once again Iran. This is not an all-inclusive list by any means. These are just some of the places I can currently recall (and am aware of) as I write. There never seems to be an end to war and military conflict somewhere in the world.

This is what The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) #2309 states about war:

The strict conditions for legitimate defense by military force require rigorous consideration. The gravity of such a decision makes it subject to rigorous conditions of moral legitimacy. At one and the same time:

• the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;
• all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;
• there must be serious prospects of success;
• the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power of modem means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition.

Let’s also look at Catholic Just War Theory according to St. Thomas Aquinas. St. Thomas Aquinas systematized the Church’s teaching on Just War in his Summa Theologiae, (II-II, q. 40, De bello). He laid out three essential conditions for a war to be considered just:

• Legitimate Authority (auctoritas principis): War must be declared by a lawful sovereign, not by private individuals.
• Just Cause (causa iusta): There must be a real and grave reason, such as defense against aggression or rectification of grave injustice.
• Right Intention (intentio recta): The goal must be to advance good or avoid evil, not vengeance or conquest.

St. Thomas emphasizes that even with these conditions, war remains a sad reality, not a virtue. The aim is peace, not perpetual conflict.

At this time I recommend continual prayers for peace—especially the Holy Rosary. We should also pray continually for those brave men and women protecting and serving our country in the military.

I believe that the intercession of Our Lady is essential for us to obtain true and lasting peace. Her apparitions and various messages—especially at Fatima—have warned us the war is a punishment for sin and that her Rosary is our greatest weapon against such moral evils.

Pray, pray, pray.

Fr. Ed Namiotka
Pastor

Homily for the 3rd Sunday in Lent "A" - Fr. Edward Namiotka

 

Lessons from the "Woman at the Well"

Dear Parishioners,

In this Sunday’s Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Lent "A", we have the story of the Samaritan woman at the well (Jn. 4: 5-42). Certainly, there are multiple lessons to be learned from this passage. I focus here on three.

Living Water. Jesus is thirsty and asks the woman for a drink. Their conversation then progresses to Jesus inviting the woman to ask Him for living water instead. As is typical in St. John’s gospel, there are varying levels of understanding present in the dialogue (see also the conversation with Nicodemus, Jn. 3: 1-21). The woman is thinking about water to quench thirst while Jesus is offering something more. Ultimately, I suggest Jesus is inviting us (through her) to BAPTISM. Jesus is the source or fountain of living water (grace, the Holy Spirit) which we initially receive through the sacrament of baptism. This is certainly an appropriate reflection for those throughout the world preparing for baptism through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).

It is no secret that I am very frustrated when people do not see an urgency to get baptized themselves or to have their children baptized. According to the Code of Canon Law: Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks (canon 867). Instead they wait years or decide to let the children “choose for themselves” when they get older. When baptism is delayed, sanctifying grace (God’s life) is not present in a person’s life. Remember, we are not born in a relationship with God, but rather separated because of original sin. Baptism washes away original sin (and actual sin, if one has reached the age of reason), makes one an adopted child of God and allows sanctifying grace to enter a person’s life. Do I not want this for myself and/or my children? Is there no sense of urgency?

I Do Not Have a Husband. While the woman denies that she has a husband, Jesus reminds her she has had five. As one of my seminary professors once put it: “She was the Elizabeth Taylor of her time.” This part of the dialogue reminded me about the importance of Catholics rectifying any marriage situation that is not seen as valid in the eyes of the Church. People in our congregation are sometimes married, divorced and then remarried outside the Catholic Church. Or they were never married in the Catholic Church in the first place. Unless the proper permissions were sought out and granted, these marriages may be invalid according to Church law. The longstanding Catholic teaching is that one should not receive Holy Communion, (or be a godparent or sponsor, or be an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, etc.), until such a situation is rectified. An annulment (declaration of nullity) may be needed. Or a convalidation of the marriage may be necessary. Or the couple may be required to live in a brother/sister relationship, if nothing else can be done. It is best to set up an appointment with a priest to help discern what may be possible or necessary.

I am He, the One Speaking with You. As their dialogue continues, Jesus reveals his identity as the long-expected messiah. It is of utmost importance that we all realize the implications of this reality. Jesus is the messiah. He is also God’s only-begotten Son. Salvation comes through Him and on His terms, not ours. I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (Jn. 14: 6). The Samaritan woman believed in Him. She also witnessed to others about Jesus. She led others to believe in Jesus. Similarly, if we acknowledge Jesus as our Lord, God, and Savior, then we must also bring others to Him. Go and make disciples (Mt. 28: 19). Start in your family. Witness to your friends. Tell the whole world what God has done for you!

Jesus continually uses unlikely people to be His disciples and his missionaries: fishermen, tax collectors, Samaritan women, you and me.

 

Let’s not waste any more time getting started or continuing to make excuses!

Fr. Ed Namiotka

Pastor

Homily for the 2nd Sunday in Lent "A" - Fr. Edward Namiotka