Passion (or Palm) Sunday begins the holiest of weeks in the liturgical calendar of the Church. This Sunday, we will remember the last time that Jesus of Nazareth entered Jerusalem as a pilgrim, for the celebration of Passover. He entered, hearing cries of exultation. Within a few days, he was scorned by his own and handed over to Gentile Rome, to be executed as a criminal of the state.
Join me in using these last days of holy Lent, to intensify your prayer (reading the Gospels), to use the bodily discipline of fasting (curbing compulsive behaviors), to reach out beyond yourself with works of mercy.
On Thursday night (at 7:00 pm), we will celebrate Holy Thursday, and remember that last Passover meal, in which Jesus gave a new meaning to "exodus" and "liberation". We will also remember his great instruction, about the strength of humility and service, in the great mandatum, the washing of the feet. At the conclusion of the liturgy of Holy Thursday, the Altar will be stripped bare, and we will "keep watch with the Lord" in Adoration,
until Midnight.
Passion (or Palm) Sunday begins the holiest of weeks in the liturgical calendar of the Church. This Sunday, we will remember the last time that Jesus of Nazareth entered Jerusalem as a pilgrim, for the celebration of Passover. He entered, hearing cries of exultation. Within a few days, he was scorned by his own and handed over to Gentile Rome, to be executed as a criminal of the state.
Join me in using these last days of holy Lent, to intensify your prayer (reading the Gospels), to use the bodily discipline of fasting (curbing compulsive behaviors), to reach out beyond yourself with works of mercy.
On Thursday night (at 7:00 pm), we will celebrate Holy Thursday, and remember that last Passover meal, in which Jesus gave a new meaning to "exodus" and "liberation". We will also remember his great instruction, about the strength of humility and service, in the great mandatum, the washing of the feet. At the conclusion of the liturgy of Holy Thursday, the Altar will be stripped bare, and we will "keep watch with the Lord" in Adoration,
until Midnight.
On Good Friday... the Church experiences the death of Jesus... and the absence of His Presence. The English-speaking portion of the parish will remember the Seven Last Words of the Lord Jesus (12:30 pm) and His walk to Golgotha (the Living Stations, at 2:00 pm). These Stations will be followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet, at 3:00 pm. On Friday evening (7:00 pm), we will adore the wood of the Cross. The Spanish-speaking portion of the parish will have "Living Stations" outside at 6:00 pm and the liturgy of the Cross at 7:00 pm as well (in Donnellan Hall). On Saturday evening (at 8:30 pm), SJN will celebrate the high point of our liturgical year, the great Vigil of the Resurrection. At the Vigil, those seeking the Sacraments of Initiation into this Church of Christ will be baptized, confirmed and brought to the table of the Lord!
Easter Sunday morning, we have liturgies in English at 8:00 am, 9:30 am (two) and 11:00 am (two). The Mass in Spanish will be at 12:30 pm. There is NO 5:00 pm liturgy on Easter Sunday, and NO 7:00 pm in Spanish. Please remember our new SJN habit: if you are able, park as far away from the church as possible... out of love for our seniors and those struggling with their health. Exercise and prayer, all in one act of faith!
HOLY WEEK begins today. Let us enter into the holiness of the Lord... in remembering how His obedient love has brought healing to a broken humanity.
***
Padre Armando began his new assignment in Athens this past Thursday. He has not been replaced by a new parochial vicar. The appointment of a new Spanish-speaking priest has been postponed for a time, and this situation may last for three or four months. So, until this situation changes, I will be the only priest at SJN. I will need to ask for your patience, and more importantly, your prayers. Daily confessions and Masses occasionally might have to be canceled. Calls and e-mails might not be answered as promptly as you would like. Agreed upon appointments might be a bit harder to make. Our staff and our deacons and the lay leadership of the parish have all committed themselves to be of service. We'll get through this, with the help of God.
Still, I want you to realize that we might one day become a "one priest parish". Until the Lord inspires a new generation of servant-leaders to enter seminary and seek service in ordination, we have to face the fact that we have more parishes and people than priests; and though I fully expect us to be given another priest at some time in the near future, that luxury is not guaranteed us.
With our new worship space almost ready for our use, we will have the opportunity to reduce the number of Masses offered at SJN. Currently, we offer seven Masses each Sunday (five in English, two in Spanish), along with two Masses on Saturday plus, scheduled weddings. The limited seating capacity of the current church required such a schedule. But, a "one-priest parish" cannot maintain that schedule; and even with the blessing of an additional priest, having a small number of people at seven different Masses in that large new church would be detrimental to the health and strength of our liturgical prayer. Recall that our new worship space will hold almost twice as many parishioners as the current church.
In a month or so, I will begin to discuss the new Mass schedule with all. I have already met with the liturgical ministries of the parish, to hear their advice and counsel. I will soon speak with the members of our Pastoral Council, and seek their input. Our deacons and staff members have been assisting me with this issue for many months now. Any reduction of Masses will affect a portion of the parish; but the new Mass schedule will be offered for the greater good of all (to enhance the strength of our liturgical prayer; to hope for growth of true fellowship, before and after Mass; to have the opportunity to get to know a larger number of our fellow parishioners).
Please keep our deacons and our staff and our lay leadership in your prayers, as all of us prepare for the 3rd of June... and the renewal of heart at SJN.
Msgr. David Talley
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