Holy Week Preparing for Easter 

As we enter into Holy Week I urge everyone to attend the amazing liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil. These are the most powerful and beautiful liturgies of the whole Church year. To miss these times of worship and remembrance would be like watching your favorite sports team get to the playoffs, but then deciding not to go to the playoff and championship game. Holy Thursday recalls the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper as well as the institution of the Ministerial Priesthood. Jesus brought these two sacraments together because we can’t have one without the other. Come join us for the 7:00pm Mass! Good Friday is the day we remember the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. This somber day is one of sadness because we recall we are the reason Jesus suffered so. But we also have a deep sense of God’s love on display, since He allowed the sacrifice of His Son so we could be set free of our slavery to sin. This service starts at 12:15pm. After the Good Friday service we enter a time of silence and anticipation. We should do our best to avoid distractions and remain in union with our Lord as we await the joyful resurrection. We start our Easter Vigil at 8:30pm on Holy Saturday with a new fire and the lighting of the Easter Candle. Procession towards the ambo involves each of us being a light in the darkness as we recall how the Word of God spreads and comes alive within us! We will welcome the new members of our Church into full communion as they receive Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist! Come and witness the joy of these new Catholics and welcome them to the faith we share. Blessings to each of you as we move from our Lenten journey to our Easter Celebration! 

Deacon Ray k