Pastor's Pen - March 29, 2015

THE SACRED TRIDUUM 

THE HOLIEST DAYS OF THE YEAR!
This coming week we celebrate the three most significant days of our Church Year.

Holy Thursday - The Mass of the Last Supper, when
the Eucharist was given to us and when Jesus washed the feet
of His disciples, leaving us powerful messages for a meaningful life. We are to eat this “bread from heaven,” Jesus’ gloriied Body and Blood, and serve one another. This Mass begins at 7:00 p.m. Following the Mass of the Last Supper there will be adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 10:00 p.m. in the chapel.


Good Friday - The celebration of the Passion and Death of Jesus on the cross destroys the power of sin for those who are sorry. The service begins at 1:30 p.m. and includes the reading of the Passion, Holy Communion and Veneration of the Cross. At 6:30 p.m. there are Stations of the Cross.


Holy Saturday - The greatest liturgy of the entire year. The Easter Fire is lit and blessed outside. From that fire the Easter Candle is lit and processed in the darkness into the church. The Exsultet (the magniicent Resurrection Song) is sung. Our salvation history is proclaimed in a number of
biblical stories. Then the waters for baptism are blessed and our baptismal promises renewed. Alleluias are abundantly sung while the candidates are initiated into full communion
with our Catholic community through a Profession of Faith, Confirmation and the reception of the Eucharist for the first time. The Mass begins at 8:00 p.m. (Earlier on Saturday, at 12:00 p.m., the Blessing of Easter Foods takes place at St. Bruno’s. There is a tradition of bringing food to church to be blessed, food which a family will share on Easter, or food which will be shared with the less fortunate.)

Note
: The Catholic Church does not allow a Mass of anticipation for Easter, so there can be NO Mass before dark on Holy Saturday. Therefore we are NOT permitted to have a 5:00 pm Mass of Anticipation.

  The continuation of the Alleluias of Holy Saturday’s Easter Vigil. Masses are at 8:00 and 10:00 am.

Please come and be part of these signiicant days. These are more than days of remembrance. They are the events of salvation and redemption that are still happening for us. Enter into the mystery of it all and experience the saving power of Christ.
Fr. Ralph


Take advantage of Communal Penance Services

around the area!