I sometimes ask the children of the parish what the most important time of the year is. Often they are surprised when I tell them it is not Christmas. It is hard for the Easter Bunny to compare with Santa Claus, but there is nothing greater than the celebration of the Paschal Mystery.
Today, with Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, we commemorate the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem at the beginning of Holy Week, but we also read the Passion and thus set the tone for the remainder of the week.
Monday through Wednesday of this week are mostly ordinary, though a little more somber than usual. We have Confessions available 3:00-4:00 Monday through Wednesday, 6:00-7:00 Monday and Tuesday evenings and 7:00-8:00 Wednesday evening. There are no Confessions after Wednesday of Holy Week.
Holy Thursday has three main themes. At the Last Supper, Christ gave us the Eucharist, He instituted the priesthood and He gave an example of service by washing the feet of His Apostles. Our Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which begins the Sacred Triduum, will begin at 7:00 in the evening. Church will remain open until Midnight, and our parish bus will leave for the seven church tour right after Mass.
Good Friday is the only day of the year on which we do not celebrate Mass. There is a Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at 2:00 (after Stations of the Cross at Noon). The Liturgy is divided into three parts: a Liturgy of the Word at which we proclaim the Passion of the Lord, the Veneration of the Cross, followed by Holy Communion (from the Eucharist consecrated at Holy Thursday). This liturgy is very simple but very powerful. The Divine Mercy Novena is at 4:00, and the Living Stations of the Cross (followed by Veneration) are at 7:00.
Holy Saturday is a very quiet day, with no official liturgy during the day (although we will have the blessing of Easter food at noon). That night, however, we have the most joyful liturgy of the whole year. The Easter Vigil begins at 8:30 (as it cannot begin before dark) and is always the liturgical highlight of the year for me as we begin our celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection and our share in His new life through our baptism. At that Mass we welcome the newest Catholics, who have been preparing through the RCIA.
And with Easter coming up, I would like to ask a favor of you: Please do not feed the pastor. I have always appreciated the gifts of food that come this time of the year, but I am trying to be careful of what I eat these days. I am afraid that the food people give me would go to waste (because I don’t want it to go to my waist). If you had thought of giving me food, let me suggest an alternative. Please consider donating to the St. Vincent de Paul Society or to Focus on Renewal instead. That way, we can feed people who need food, rather than fattening up someone who hasn’t missed many meals. Thank you for your generosity.
Father H
