Pastor's Column for March 24, 2024
Dear Parishioners,
And so begins Holy Week today. We do not recreate the historical events that took place in Israel 2 millennia ago. But we do make present to ourselves today the memory of those allimportant events which have literally transformed the world and which deal with our eternal life once we have left this world. So nothing is more important to us as Christians as what takes place this week in our churches, and in our hearts. Do we consider the magnitude of what we do here? Likely not. But that is the invitation extended to each of us this year.
Today, be sure to take palms when you enter the church and please hold them during our opening procession to signify that you are part of the crowd that welcomed Jesus into the holy city of Jerusalem where our salvation was worked out. Then again, feel yourself as part of the crowd that later cried out, “Crucify him!” as we again place ourselves in the crowd of people during the proclamation of the Passion (the story of Jesus’ suffering and death). Ask God for the grace to enter into the mystery of what this week was all about for Jesus, but more importantly, what this week is all about for you, for the Church, and for the whole world.
Consider joining us on Holy Thursday as we celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7pm. Watch as feet are washed, as an example to us of our call to service. Pray with Jesus (and indeed before him) as at the end of Mass, we process to the chapel altar with the Eucharist, the Real Presence of the one who asked his Father to let this cup of suffering pass him by, but who resigned himself to the Father’s no.
On Good Friday, be present for the Solemn Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3pm, which has 3 parts: the Liturgy of the Word (again, with the reading of the Passion but this time according to John), the Adoration and Veneration of the Cross, and the reception of Holy Communion. If you can’t be present at 3pm, then perhaps you can pray the Stations of the Cross at 7pm instead. Remember that Good Friday is the 2nd and only other day of the entire year when the Church asks us to fast and abstain from meat.
And then the great celebration begins with the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night at 8:30pm (remember there is no 4pm Vigil Mass). It is especially exciting to have 3 people this year who will be baptized, confirmed, and receive their First Holy Communion on this night! We pray that they may share in our joy as they now share in our faith. Mass on Easter Sunday will be at 8am and 11am.
On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, you can join us for Morning Prayer at 8:30am in the chapel area. The Blessing of Easter Food on Holy Saturday will be at 11:30am.
On Monday of this past week, I sent this notice to our School Parents and Staff:
By mutual agreement, Mrs. Burns will be moving on from her role as Principal of St. Leo the Great School for the 2024-25 school year. She will continue in her current position until the end of June 2024. We are grateful for what she has accomplished during the past 7 years with us and we wish her well in her future endeavors. I will be working with the Education Department of the Diocese as we search for a new Principal and have assured the parents and teachers that I will be seeking their input.
Fr. James P. Schmitz