As you probably know by now (if you've been in this parish during some or all of my almost 13 years as your pastor), I sturggle with the temptation to see the glass "half empty" in more than a few instances instead of seeing and rejoicing when the glass is at least "half full". Unfortunately, in the instance of the upcoming "Easter Triduum" (Holy Thursday evening until Easter Sunday evening) I have to acknowledge that our Church (and most, if not all other Catholic Churches) are not even close to half-full in the number of those seated in the church for the "One" liturgy that is stretched out in three or four gatherings of the "Faithful" over this three day period. It is most certainly and sadly the case that less than half of those who participate in Mass every weekend usually participate in no more than the Easter Sunday Mass. I try,during Lent and at other times of the year, to stress and explain how important the whole of the Triduum is for ALL the baptized (as well as those who are baptized at the Easter Vigil) as it happens in the extended liturgy (at Sacred Heart Church at 6:30 p.m. on Holy thursday, 3:00 p.m. on Good Friday, and 8:30 p.m. on Holy Saturday). For those of you who don't traditionally participate in any of these gatherings, I am, at first, inclined to strongly encourage you to participate in at least one of these and experience a liturgy that is unlike "regular" Mass in more than a number of ways, and which speaks so strongly of what Jesus Christ has done for us through his passion, death, and Resurrection which includes, of course, what he gave to the apostles and to us when he fed them at the Last Supper (and feeds us with His Body and Blood at every Mass). On further reflection, I am going to strongly encourage EVERYONE in our parish to participate in all three gatherings and prepare yourselves to be touched by the Lord in a powerful way. The highpoint, if you didn't know, will be the renewal of our baptismal promises at the Easter Vigil. If you traditionally participate in the church's main liturgical gatherings during the Triduum (see above), consider enhancing your experience by coming to our church on your own to pray (the rosary, the chaplet of diving mercy, and/or the stations of the cross, and read and reflect on the rich scripture readings of the Triduum) and/or join us for the additional opportunities we have for communal prayer in church and "food" gatherings on Holy Thursday (parish meaal) and maybe on Good Friday. I dare say your experience of the Triduum days will have the greatest impact on you spiritually and in your future life in the Lord, if you try to "disconnect" from all worldly activities and routines (including television and computer during the first two days of the Triduum, from Hly Thursday evening until the Vigil on Saturday evening) and make this time a true "retreat" that doesn't take us anywhere except to and from church (refraining or cutting back on secular places and/or activities). While it is true that som many things in our time (diets, sleep, accessories, etc) are "advertised" as being potential "life changers" (and often are not), full participation in the Triduum by any Catholic who makes this time for Jesus, will potentially have their lives changed and/or renewed in the most special and everlasting way! I pray you are included in "many" who do so!!
As I wouldn't want to count on my memory or any of yours when bringing up something that happened in the past (especially many years ago), I would be willing to guess that most of you don't remember when the "Order of Penance" was promulgated in 1973 by the Church for use in Catholic Churches throughout the world. Since I was around 14 years of age then, I had already been taught and used the "Rite of Penance" that most of you also were taught which included "how to begin" our confessions with, "Bless me Father for I have sinned...it has been ______(time) since my last confession and these are my sins." I don't remember my parish at the time (1973 or after) offering instruction and formation on the "New Rite of the Sacrament of Penance" (or as we now normally refer to it as the Sacrament of Reconciliation). I suspect (though I hope not) that your experience how to go to confession over the years has been about the same. I'm excited about the English translation of the revised "Order of Penance" and hope it will lend itself to parishes throughout our country and beyond, updating our Catholics on the "hows" of Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and also explain and offer the other rites that are provided besides "The Order of Reconciling Individual Penitents" (or in laymen's terms how to celebrate individually the Sacrament of Reconciliation).
Many people may be surprised by the emphasis the Church has put since Vatican II on the role of the faith community in the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It says, "The whole Church, as a priestly people, acts in different ways in performing the work of reconciliation which has been entrusted to her by the Lord." (Penance #8"). Bringing out clearly the importance of the faithful gathering together, it says "A common celebration more clearly manifests the ecclesial (the body of Christ) nature of Penance. For the faithful together hear the Word of God, which proclaims the mercy of God and invites them to conversion. At the same time, they examine the conformity of their lives to the same word of God "through a communal examination of conscience assist each other by their mutual prayers." (Penance #22). I hope (and will pray) that we all welcome these "Penitential Celebrations" and participate in them for our own benefit AND that of our entire parish commuinity who are always in need of purification and sanctification. Thusly, we will be even more blessed when humbly availing ourselves individually to the Sacrament of Reconciliation!
Many people may be surprised by the emphasis the Church has put since Vatican II on the role of the faith community in the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It says, "The whole Church, as a priestly people, acts in different ways in performing the work of reconciliation which has been entrusted to her by the Lord." (Penance #8"). Bringing out clearly the importance of the faithful gathering together, it says "A common celebration more clearly manifests the ecclesial (the body of Christ) nature of Penance. For the faithful together hear the Word of God, which proclaims the mercy of God and invites them to conversion. At the same time, they examine the conformity of their lives to the same word of God "through a communal examination of conscience assist each other by their mutual prayers." (Penance #22). I hope (and will pray) that we all welcome these "Penitential Celebrations" and participate in them for our own benefit AND that of our entire parish commuinity who are always in need of purification and sanctification. Thusly, we will be even more blessed when humbly availing ourselves individually to the Sacrament of Reconciliation!
While some would argue that this is NOT the best time in history to be living (especially with the general moral and spiritual decline in our country, and the violence that is happening to adults, children and babies in the womb), there are many blessings that perhaps we take for granted. One of these is a health care system that now can treat and even cure illnesses that not long ago were untreatable anf often caused certain death. In addition, we now have the means to lessen the suffering of people through medicines and treatments including physical therapy. From a religious perspective, I believe we should give thanks to God for advances and efforts to keep people's pain level as low as possible whether it be short-term, long-term or at the end of people's lives. Of course, our faith tradition is definitely against efforts to end some people's lives in the name of mercy towards them and their situation. Active and even passive euthanasia, and certainly physician assisted suicide go against our call to protect human life from the moment of conception until natural death. Our faith in Jesus Christ, who suffered greatly and willingly for us can (and I hope has or will) help us to persevere in mental, physical and/or emotional suffering that cannot be completely taken away by medicine, counselling or other means. We can and we should pray for healing and strength from God for ourselves or others who are suffering and also ask the Lord to help us and others join our suffering to that of Christ's suffering with the same confidence that Jesus had that the suffering he had to endure (especially through his passion and death) would be for some good! That's why the Lenten Season puts a special emphasis on praying the "Stations of the Cross" either individually or in community as we prepare for the commemoration of Jesus's "Paschal Mystery" during the Easter Triduum. Recalling and meditating on Jesus' suffering from the time of his trial and sentence of death by crucifixion to the moment he died on the cross, can help us and prepare us to persevere in any suffering we will have that cannot be taken away totally through man-made means. History is full of people who suffered without much if any pysical relief and who did so, not cursing God, but praising God and counting on God's help and Christ's example of patient suffering to persevere knowing that like Christ's suffering led to his eternal glory. OUrs, we trust, will have the same result beyond what we can imagine. We have two more community stations of the cross (March 24 & 31 at 6:00 p.m). and we always offer stations of the cross booklets for your individual use at any time.