A Word from Your Pastor - April 6

Dear Parishioners:

Lent is moving right along.  This Sunday we hear of the promise of Life through the account of the resurrection of Lazarus.  On a couple of occasions, I have had the privilege of visiting the town of Bethany, where Lazarus lived with his sisters Mary and Martha.  There is now a parish church, which is attended by ordinary folks, Palestinian Catholics, who live in the shadow of Jerusalem.  Unfortunately, access to their town is now behind a wall that divides.  How ironic it is that the very place where Jesus showed that the great divide between earth and Eternity, death and Life is in His power, there is a reminder that we are separated from one another by walls of our own making.

The promise of Resurrection serves to put into proper relief all our earthly concerns.  It also invites us to invest ourselves more fully in this life, since the New Life shared with us comes from Jesus Christ, Who shares this life in its fullness with us.

If you have not had the opportunity to approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation in preparation for Easter, I invite you to follow the example of Pope Francis.  He went to confession at St. Peter’s Basilica as a humble penitent.  If he is in need of Confession, no doubt all of us are as well.  As our children teach us, it is a joyful reality.  There are still a few local Penance services available in the neighborhood if you missed our celebration of the Sacrament this week and Confessions at St. Timothy are available on Saturday afternoons before the 5 p.m. Mass.

Let the Joy of Lent flow into the ecstatic Joy of Easter and New Life by planning to be part of the Easter Triduum.  These are the High Holy Days of our Catholic Faith.  Don’t let them pass you by. 

Plan to attend the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:30 p.m. Holy Thursday, with the Eucharistic Procession and Adoration until Midnight to follow.  Good Friday, attend the Passion of the Lord at 3 p.m. or 7 p.m. and, if you wish, spend the time from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. reflecting on the 7 Last Words of Jesus on the Cross.  Holy Saturday, the Solemn Easter Vigil begins at 8:30 p.m.  Since we don’t have anyone being initiated into the Church this year, it will be a journey through Salvation History with Renewal of Baptismal Promises.  Let this lead you into a deeper spirit of commitment to the Lord and to your Catholic Faith.  If you come to the Masses of Easter Sunday (8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.), come ready to welcome all who will join us for the Day of Days.  We are all called to be ministers of the Gospel.  Put on your Gospel shoes and get ready to work for the Lord of Life!