March 29th Pastor's Message

Read this week's message from Father Don

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Dear Friends,

Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week, the greatest week in the Church year.

Holy Week includes five different celebrations. Each celebration highlights a different aspect of the mystery of Jesus crucified and risen and how this mystery impacts our lives. The palms, the washing of feet, the kissing of the cross, the altar of repose and the Easter fire are colourful secondary elements that point toward the essential heart of the week-long celebration: Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, surrendered himself unto death and rose again in triumph for our salvation.

Here are the Holy Week details:

Holy Thursday, April 2: The mass of the Last Supper at 7 p.m. recalls Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist. After the homily, we will re-enact Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet, an expression of his humble service, given as an example for us to follow. After mass, eucharistic adoration will be held in the parish hall. Bring food donations for the poor (canned fruit, peanut butter, or cereal).

Good Friday, April 3: There will be Children’s Stations of the Cross at 10 am and the Seven Last Words at 2:30 p.m. before the Liturgy of the Passion. This liturgy recalls the death of Jesus upon the cross, his voluntary sacrifice through which he took upon himself our sinfulness and mortality. Venerating the cross will lead us face-to-face with this frightening awesome mystery: God in the flesh, dying for our salvation. Confessions will be available at 5 pm.

Holy Saturday, April 4: The Easter Vigil will begin at 9:30 p.m. with the blessing of the Easter fire. The vigil also includes several Old Testament readings, the baptism of adult converts and the first eucharist of the Easter season.

Easter Sunday, April 5: On Easter Sunday we will rejoice with the whole Church at Christ’s rising from the dead. Alleluia will be sung and the faithful will renew their baptismal promises. After the 9 am and 11 am masses there will be brunch in the hall, as well as an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. Mass will also be celebrated at 7 pm.

I look forward to seeing you at our Holy Week liturgies.

Love,

Father Don

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