Isn't it a little early to publish the Easter Triduum schedule of ligurgies? Some people may ask themselves (or me) that when they see the schedule in the bulletin this week. The answer is a resounding NO! Everything we do in this Lenten season points to the Triduum. Our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and giving alms to the poor, and of conversion that leads hopefully, among other things to the humbling, healing experience of Reconciliation, prepares us to renew our Baptismal promises at the Easter Vigil AND, this year, to supporting Nathan Rust, our Elect who will be fully initiated into the Church on this, the holiest night of the Church.
Some of you may have already noticed that the Easter Vigil will start at 8:30 p.m. That is because the Church insists that the Easter Vigil should begin at nightfall as we gather outside around the Easter Fire from which is lit the Paschal Candle. Last week end's readings in some ways, pointed us to the Easter Triduum liturgies and the Offertory Prayer, spoke of us being prepared for the "upcoming paschal festivities." Just as the whole of the NCAA basketball season points toward "March Madness," the tournament that crowns the national champion, so the whole of Lent is pointing Catholics to the Triduum and FULL PARTICIPATION IN IT, if at all possible. While the number of people watching basketball during March Madness is up greatly, compared to the viewership during the regular season, SADLY, in most places participation in the Triduum, goes down compared to that of the rest of the church year, including Lent. I pray you (at least most of you who physically can do so) will make the Triduum a prioity on your calendar of "must do's" and will afterward give witness to the blessings that come from it in your life and in the lives of those you touch!
Some of you may have already noticed that the Easter Vigil will start at 8:30 p.m. That is because the Church insists that the Easter Vigil should begin at nightfall as we gather outside around the Easter Fire from which is lit the Paschal Candle. Last week end's readings in some ways, pointed us to the Easter Triduum liturgies and the Offertory Prayer, spoke of us being prepared for the "upcoming paschal festivities." Just as the whole of the NCAA basketball season points toward "March Madness," the tournament that crowns the national champion, so the whole of Lent is pointing Catholics to the Triduum and FULL PARTICIPATION IN IT, if at all possible. While the number of people watching basketball during March Madness is up greatly, compared to the viewership during the regular season, SADLY, in most places participation in the Triduum, goes down compared to that of the rest of the church year, including Lent. I pray you (at least most of you who physically can do so) will make the Triduum a prioity on your calendar of "must do's" and will afterward give witness to the blessings that come from it in your life and in the lives of those you touch!
Those who participated in Mass here on Ash Wednesday may recall that in my homily, I encouraged choices of Lenten practices in the areas of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that are such that we will continue them long after Lent is over. Some of us "give up" something during Lent with the intention to resume what we "gave up" once Lent is over. I challenged folks at Mass to see Lent and the practices we choose during this holy season, as opportunities to grow in the Lord and in the ways of the Lord, that will have a positive impact on our lives during Lent and hopefully for the rest of our lives. In the area of prayer, I urge you to come to at least one daily Mass each week of Lent (remembering that we have Mass during Lent on Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m. and an additional Mass on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
Since I have been here, I have continued to celebrate daily Mass at 9:00 a.m. which, I'm assuming, is good for those who are coming. In fact, it may not be good for many of our parishioners for one reason or another. After seeing the Mass attendance during Lent at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, I may consider doing another poll to see if any change in the current daily Mass schedule may lead those who are not coming at all, to come if the time was somewhat, or greatly, different than it is now. While I certainly don't want to upset those who currently and faithfully come to daily Mass, I am confident that most of them would be open to some change if it will mean that more people will join them for Mass during the week.
In the area of amsgiving, I pray that our attention to the needs of the Poor by participating in "Operation Rice Bowl" and other other opportunities to help the Poor in our area with our time, talent and/or treasure, will connect us closer to the Poor and to God (whose special love for the Poor is brought out clearly in the Old and New Testaments) and that our connection grows deeper as we continue to give attention and care to those who are poor for the rest of our lives.
May our Lenten practices, not only prepare us for the joy of Easter, but also lead to continued joy in the Lord throughout our lives and we pray, through God's mercy, for all eternity.
ADDENDUM
After finishing my Pastor's Column, I came across a pamplet entitled: "The Infinite Value of the Holy Mass" which I intend to order and make available for all of you to read. In light of my emphasis on the blessings of participating in Mass, I would like to quote one section from that pamphlet here. "The Eucharistic Liturgy is also the summit of our life like the mountain peak for the climber. We are baptized so that we might come together to praise God by partaking of Christ's sacrifice and consuming the Lamb at His wedding banquet." Let us reflect and meditate on this powerful statement in our prayer time(s) this week.
Since I have been here, I have continued to celebrate daily Mass at 9:00 a.m. which, I'm assuming, is good for those who are coming. In fact, it may not be good for many of our parishioners for one reason or another. After seeing the Mass attendance during Lent at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, I may consider doing another poll to see if any change in the current daily Mass schedule may lead those who are not coming at all, to come if the time was somewhat, or greatly, different than it is now. While I certainly don't want to upset those who currently and faithfully come to daily Mass, I am confident that most of them would be open to some change if it will mean that more people will join them for Mass during the week.
In the area of amsgiving, I pray that our attention to the needs of the Poor by participating in "Operation Rice Bowl" and other other opportunities to help the Poor in our area with our time, talent and/or treasure, will connect us closer to the Poor and to God (whose special love for the Poor is brought out clearly in the Old and New Testaments) and that our connection grows deeper as we continue to give attention and care to those who are poor for the rest of our lives.
May our Lenten practices, not only prepare us for the joy of Easter, but also lead to continued joy in the Lord throughout our lives and we pray, through God's mercy, for all eternity.
ADDENDUM
After finishing my Pastor's Column, I came across a pamplet entitled: "The Infinite Value of the Holy Mass" which I intend to order and make available for all of you to read. In light of my emphasis on the blessings of participating in Mass, I would like to quote one section from that pamphlet here. "The Eucharistic Liturgy is also the summit of our life like the mountain peak for the climber. We are baptized so that we might come together to praise God by partaking of Christ's sacrifice and consuming the Lamb at His wedding banquet." Let us reflect and meditate on this powerful statement in our prayer time(s) this week.
Our Lenten study is entitled, "Forgiven: Transforming Power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation." I pray that you will participate in this five-week study starting this week in one of our group sessions (Monday, Wednesday, or Friday morning at 9:45, OR Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m.). I am inclined to also ponder "The Transforming Power of the Lenten Season." It has that potential for individuals who take seriously this 40-day season when we follow the example of Jesus in the desert (where He fasted and prayed) and through almsgiving practices (especially Operation Rice Bowl as sponsored by Catholic Relief Services). When Catholics from all over the world (and some other Christians) join in these and other Lenten practices, the potential is there for the Church, and even the whole world, to be transformed in ways that give honor and glory to God. I would like to encourage ALL OF US at Sacred Heart to join together each day of Lent in praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy which Jesus gave to St. Faustina in Poland many years ago, and which was promulgated by Pope John Paul II for the whole Church to pray. Please come to church at least 15 minutes before Mass for the weekend Masses and join with others in the pews in praying the Chaplet. Try then, on the other days of Lent, to pray the Chaplet at home or in our Eucharistic chapel, either alone or with others. For those who still don't know how to pray it, here's a guide.
Start with the Lord's Prayer, one Hail Mary, and the Apostles Creed. Using a rosary, say the following on the "Our Father Beads:" "Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and the Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world." Then on each "Hail Mary bead" on the string of 10 beads (a total of fifty times) pray this: "For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world." At the end pray the following three times: "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us and on the whole world."
With all of us throughout Lent praying the chaplet (which takes no more than 10 minutes), I truly believe that the transforming power of God will do marvelous things for us as a parish community and for each of our individual lives.
PLEASE JOIN IN!
Start with the Lord's Prayer, one Hail Mary, and the Apostles Creed. Using a rosary, say the following on the "Our Father Beads:" "Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and the Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world." Then on each "Hail Mary bead" on the string of 10 beads (a total of fifty times) pray this: "For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world." At the end pray the following three times: "Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us and on the whole world."
With all of us throughout Lent praying the chaplet (which takes no more than 10 minutes), I truly believe that the transforming power of God will do marvelous things for us as a parish community and for each of our individual lives.
PLEASE JOIN IN!