As we prepare to enter into Holy Week, the most Sacred time in our liturgical year, we shall celebrate God’s Love for us and His desire to suffer, die and be raised from the dead so that we—all of us—might live for ever.

This weekend we celebrate Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered triumphantly into Jerusalem. Shortly thereafter, the elders and the people turned on Him; they scourged and mocked Him, nailed Him to the Cross and then once dead, buried Him. However, God had a plan. His Plan!

Next week—Holy Week—we celebrate:

The Chrism Mass on Tuesday at the Cathedral of St. Joseph is a Mass when the priests of the Arch diocese will join the Archbishop and renew their ordination promises to him and his successors, including their promise of obedience as Chief Shepherd of the Archdiocese. The Cathedral filled with Catholics of all ages, will see the sacred oils used in the Sacramental Life of the Church shall be consecrated by the Archbishop. Those oils are: (a) the Oil of Catechumen for Baptism; (b) the oil o Sacred Chrism for Baptism, Confirmation and Ordina tion; and, (c) the oil of the Sick for the Anointing of the Sick.

Holy Thursday, when we celebrate the Last Supper, complete with the institution of the Priesthood of Jesus Christ; the Mandatum—the washing of the feet; the transfer of the Sacred Eucharist and adoration there of; and, finally the leaving in silence until we join again for Good Friday’s Passion.

Good Friday: we celebrate the Passion of the Lord, complete with the readings in parts to tell the story of the Passion, death and Resurrection of the Lord; and, the veneration of the Cross, Holy Communion and the Great Silence.

Holy Saturday and the Great Easter Vigil. At this solemn Mass, there are many parts: the Lucernarium with the Exsultet (the chanted story of human Salvation), the Liturgy of the Word, the Sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion), and the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of Communion and the Great Dismissal (the Easter Alleluia!).

Finally, the Alleluia Party in Russell Hall! Come meet the new Catholics those in full communion with the Church. Celebrate the glory of Life Everlasting and the Love of God for the whole of His Creation. Eternal Life is ours!