Dear Friends,
This Sunday is the 5th Sunday of Lent. On Sunday we are returning to a tradition we followed prior to our new Sanctuary being built. When you arrive at Mass this weekend all the statues and religious artwork in the church will be covered in violet cloth. This was made possible through the dedication and hard work of several parishioners. Each piece of cloth had to be specially made for each statue and piece of art. I am grateful for our volunteers dedication and gift of their time and talent.
Philip Kosloski explains: "Veils over sacred images keep our minds on the promise of Easter. It seems strange that during the most sacred time of year Catholics cover everything that is beautiful in their churches, even the crucifix. Shouldn’t we be looking at the painful scene at Calvary while we listen to the Passion narrative on Palm Sunday? While it may appear counterintuitive to veil statues and images during the final weeks of Lent, the Catholic Church recommends this practice to heighten our senses and build within us a longing for Easter Sunday. It is a tradition that should not only be carried out in our local parish, but can also be a fruitful activity for the “domestic church” to practice.
The rubrics can guide us. In the Roman Missal we find the instruction, “In the Dioceses of the United States, the practice of covering crosses and images throughout the church from [the fifth] Sunday [of Lent] may be observed. Crosses remain covered until the end of the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, but images remain covered until the beginning of the Easter Vigil.”
Families are also encouraged to imitate this practice and veil prominent religious images in their homes. It helps us to participate in the liturgical season, especially if we are prevented from going to Mass during the week. Otherwise we only see the veiled images in church once or twice before Easter and it has a minor effect on us. It is also a beautiful tradition to pass down to our children, who will be intrigued by it and it will make this time of year truly special for them. We go through great lengths to decorate our homes for Easter, so why not prepare for the great feast by using veils?
But why go through such lengths to cover up images that are designed to raise our hearts and minds toward heaven?
First of all, we use veils to alert us of the special time that we are in. When we walk into church and notice everything is covered, we immediately know that something is different. These last two weeks of Lent are meant to be a time of immediate preparation for the Sacred Triduum and these veils are a forceful reminder to get ready.
Secondly, the veils focus our attention on the words being said at Mass. When we listen to the Passion narrative, our senses are allowed to focus on the striking words from the Gospel and truly enter into the scene.
Third, the Church uses veils to produce a heightened sense of anticipation for Easter Sunday. This is further actualized when you attend daily Mass and see the veils each day. You don’t want them to be there because they are hiding some very beautiful images.
And therein lies the whole point: the veils are not meant to be there forever. The images need to be unveiled; it is unnatural for them to be covered.
The unveiling before the Easter Vigil is a great reminder of our own life on earth. We live in a “veiled” world, in exile from our true home. It is only through our own death that the veil is lifted and we are finally able to see the beauty of everything in our lives."
So, now you know why all the statues and liturgical art in the church will be veiled until Easter!
This week is a First Friday and a First Saturday. Fr. Morey and I will hear confessions on both days from 10:00AM until 11:30AM. Mass will be celebrated on both days at Noon. Adoration will follow the First Friday Mass in the Adoration Chapel until 5:00PM. There will be no Benediction as all are invited to the Lenten Family Meal and Stations of the Cross at 7:00PM.
This is a First Sunday of the Month. The following occurs on each First Sunday:
- Children's Mass and Homily at the 10:30AM Mass.
- Blessing of April Birthdays.
- New Parishioner Registration Weekend.
Please continue to offer your prayer, fasting and almsgiving during Lent for peace in Ukraine, Europe, and the world.
The Knights of Columbus still NEED YOUR SUPPORT for the 40 Cans for Lent Campaign. As of 30 March they have collected 1,878 pounds of canned goods for WE CARE. See how you can support this effort HERE. Help to feed the hungry by bringing canned food to Mass or events at the Church. There are collection bins available in the Church Narthex and entries to the Office and Family Life Center.
On Friday we will have our Fifth Lenten Family Friday and Stations of the Cross. Please join us!
REMINDER: Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence from meat. Ash Wednesday & Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence.
LAST Lenten Confession Opportunities: We are not having a Lenten Penance Service again this year but I will be hearing Confessions on the following Wednesdays during Lent from 6:00PM until 7:30PM: Wednesday 30 March and Wednesday 6 April and 13 April.
Confessions will also be heard on Saturdays at the normal time from 3:00 to 4:30PM except for Holy Saturday on 16 April. NO CONFESSIONS ON HOLY SATURDAY. Confessions will also be heard on the First Friday and First Saturday in April from 10:00AM until 11:30AM. Fr. Morey will join me for most of these dates. Please, DON'T wait until the last week of Lent! Plan ahead so that you can make a good Confession before Easter!
It is not too late to make a pledge or gift to the 2022 Bishop's Annual Appeal (BAA). All gifts serve as a sign of gratitude to God and are welcomed and appreciated. See how you can make a gift HERE. View the Bishop's video HERE.
There is Faith Formation and Youth meetings this weekend as shown in the Faith Formation Schedule.
Bicentennial Campaign Work continues in the FLC! Members of the Men's Club and the Knights of Columbus are working on the second floor of the Family Life Center. More pictures to come in the weeks ahead as we wait for deliveries!
Exciting news! We have received approval from the diocese to proceed with the purchase and installation of a Columbarium in our parish cemetery. Final details are being decided and a contract should be signed in the next month or two. Once signed the finished Columbarium should be delivered in six to eight months.
It is never too late to make a donation to the Bicentennial Campaign as we receive 100% of all new donations! visit DONATE NOW! Please consider naming the church in your will as well. You can give a percentage of your estate to the church.
Other events to make note of:
Some brief, but important news and reminders:
The 8:00AM Hospitality Hour will be held this weekend!
Be sure to sign up for the SEDER MEAL in the Narthex of the Church this weekend and next! See the flyer HERE.
Easter Lilly Orders; FORM
Look for the Ladies Club Bake Sale on Palm Sunday!
Parish Neighbors (Formerly Friendly Voices), our newest parish ministry, is off to a great start. We have 20 Neighborhood Contacts so far. If you would like to be a Neighborhood Contact please see the flyer HERE and sign-up to be a part of this ministry.
Peace and all good,
Fr. Dennis
