Dear Parishioners and Friends,
With the Easter season quickly drawing to a close next Sunday, I find myself looking back at the past several months and how enriching they have been from a liturgical point of view. For example, when Lent began on Ash Wednesday (February 18), the penitential season focused our attention on a call to renewal of heart. Each of the Sundays of Lent drew us more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s healing power.
With the observance of Holy Week and Easter Sunday, our liturgies and their music took us through the broad range of emotions: the exuberant shouts of Hosanna on Palm Sunday, as well as the angry cries of crucifixion; the poignancy of Jesus’s final hours with his disciples at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday; the solemnity of Good Friday’s adoration of the Cross; the joyful return of Alleluia and the celebration of initiation at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday; the large and enthusiastic crowds celebrating the Lord’s Resurrection at on Easter Sunday.
Now, in the middle of May, we have celebrated more sacraments of initiation with the Confirmation of our youth at St. Joseph Cathedral and the First Communion of our younger children last weekend. I’ve come to realize that, while Lent can be quite busy with the preparations for Holy Week, the Easter season can be even busier!
All of these Lenten and Easter observances culminate next Sunday with Pentecost and the celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem. Be sure to wear something red!
Our First Communion candidates gather in the chapel with Fr. Tim before the start of Mass: on the left is the group on Saturday, May 9th (4:00 PM); above is the group on Sunday, May 10th (10:00 AM).
Fr. Tim Shreenan, O.F.M.
Pastor
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