2019 Holy Week

04-14-2019From Fr. Antony's DeskFr. John J. Barbella

Last Saturday evening I had the real pleasure of attending the parish Faith and Service Dinner at Flynn's. This dinner is held annually to celebrate our school, its alumni, and people who have made significant contributions to our parish and school community. This year's honorees were Mrs. Jo-Ann Scott, our long-time Religious Education Director, and Frank Stettner, a lifelong member of our parish and graduate of our parish school. I was especially moved to hear both of them speak about the role their family, parish, and community plays in their lives. A special thank you is owed to everyone who made this event such a good time and a success.

As we begin Holy Week, I want to encourage everyone to make a real effort to come to Church on both Holy Thursday (7 PM) and Good Friday (3 PM). Our church really should be filled on those most holy days. They are the days on which Jesus gave us His greatest gift – His Body and Blood, offered on the Cross to take away our sins so we can have eternal life in Heaven! Our presence in church on Holy Thursday and Good Friday are a token of our appreciation of all that He did.

Please remember that Mass on Holy Saturday is at 7 PM – rather than the usual 4:30 PM. This is due to the Catholic Church's ancient tradition of offering Holy Mass after dusk on Holy Saturday. Doing this makes that Mass a true vigil for the Resurrection. While that Easter Vigil Mass is a good deal longer than an ordinary Mass, it is also very beautiful, inspiring, and well worth attending. (I promise to move it along prayerfully and reverently – as best as I can!)

I really want to thank all of you for making this Lent such a good one in our parish. It was great to see so many people at our parish mission on Wednesday evenings – and especially at our Evening of Awakening and 24 Hours for the Lord. Stations of the Cross, Daily Mass, and Confession were also very well attended. Many people took Rice Bowls, which can be returned to the basket in the back of the Church over the next few weeks. I'm sure God will bless our observance of Lent with a renewal of our faith in Him and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Finally, please be sure to check this bulletin carefully for the schedule for Holy Week and Easter. I look forward to worshiping and praying with all of you at this most holy time of year. May our good God bless us with a truly joyous and blessed Easter!

Happy Palm Sunday!
Fr. John

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