Canton Catholic Community Update

Canton Catholic Community Celebrates Holy Week

NOTE from Father Tom

When Richard Cardinal Cushing founded a television apostolate in the Boston Archdiocese in 1948 most homes still didn’t have a television. If you are unfamiliar with him or his legacy, which is entirely possible given that he was Boston’s Archbishop from 1944 until 1970, Cardinal Cushing was a visionary on multiple fronts. He founded my alma mater, Pope John XXIII National Seminary in the 1960’s based on his then unorthodox view that men who chose to answer the call to priesthood after secular careers might have something to offer the Church. Although his Latin was perfect, he was an early advocate of celebrating the liturgy in the vernacular. He was also a pioneer in advocating ecumenism who built bridges to the Protestant and Jewish communities. On the latter, he was a force at the Second Vatican Council for interreligious dialogue.

His television legacy endures under the gifted leadership of Bishop Robert Reed at CatholicTV . We hav e not felt it necessa ry to offer daily Mass at the parish level because it is so well produced on our Catholic network. However, given that we will be unable to gather and worship as the Canton Catholic Community for a lengthy period we have offered Sunday Masses in recent weeks and will offer the Easter Triduum through social media. We admittedly lack the production equipment of the CatholicTV Network but think it important that we are able to gather and celebrate these liturgies with one another.

Only a few weeks ago “Zoom” reminded me of a childhood TV program on PBS. I could hardly distinguish between livestreaming on Facebook or a YouTube video. With the help of talented staff such as Maria White and Nancy Cunniff we are utilizing these vehicles to enable us to worship together during Holy Week and Easter. While the guidelines call for evening celebrations we will celebrate Holy Thursday and the Easter Vigil at 4pm, enabling families to watch before dinner. Of course you can watch them at your convenience. The Solemn Good Friday liturgy will take place at the recommended time of 3pm but can also be viewed afterwards via the website.

Don’t hesitate to watch CatholicTV and enjoy liturgies with Cardinal Sean at our cathedral and Pope Francis from Rome. For local flavor please check our website and Facebook page for details regarding our celebrations. We may be unable to gather under one roof but we can still celebrate the Sacred Triduum together.

Yours in Christ,

Father Tom

A Holy Week Reflection

Deacon Dan's Holy Week Reflection

It seems that the older I get, the more I ponder what life in this world is really all about. What really matters? What am I here for? Do I make a difference? What is the true meaning and purpose of life? Is it simply the pursuit and attainment of prestige, power, and wealth? Or is there something much greater at play here that relentlessly prompts me to seek eternal truth from which I find the elusive meaning and purpose of this life, and from which my true destiny awaits?

Walking Through Holy Week Together

So when he had washed their feet [and] put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?”

~ John 13:12

F amily Faith Activity: Talk about how Jesus is really present in Holy Communion and how sharing in his body strengthens us to become the Body of Christ and to follow him each day. How does this encounter with Jesus change us?

The evening Mass on Holy Thursday begins the Sacred Triduum. On this night we remember the Last Supper and celebrate the institution of the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Holy Orders. At the end of the liturgy, the sanctuary is stripped clean in preparation for the most somber of feasts, Good Friday.

In commemoration of the Lord’s agony in the garden, it is customary to spend the night in Eucharistic adoration. While attending adoration at church is not an option for us this year, there are livestreams of Eucharistic adoration available online. The time adoring Christ, even through the screen, can be spent in quiet meditation, reflection on relevant Gospel passages, recitation of the Rosary or making an act of spiritual communion.

Parish Celebration of Holy Thursday

We will celebrate the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper at 4:00 PM on Thursday, April 9 via Facebook and on the parish website.

He said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.

~ John 19:30

Family Faith Activity: Pray the Lord’s Prayer at bedtime on this night in remembrance of Christ’s gift for all of salvation.

On Good Friday, join Catholics across the nation in praying the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for an end to the coronavirus

Visit this webpage to join the live-stream and pray as one nation.

Gather together and read the passion narrative from the day (Jn 18:1–19:42), keeping the crucifix as a focal point in the room.

Join our country in praying the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Good Friday.

Good Friday is a somber remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion and death on the cross. It is a day of fasting and penance and a time to examine all of the places in our lives where we fail to follow Christ and fall into sin. Good Friday is not merely a commemoration of a historical event; rather, Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, along with his glorious resurrection, comprise the heart of the Christian faith.

Good Friday is not a Mass; holy Communion that is distributed had been consecrated on Holy Thursday and kept in the tabernacle for adoration. Also, praying the Stations of the Cross is traditionally done on Good Friday.

For the veneration of the cross that takes place at this liturgy, you could choose a crucifix at home by which to honor Christ’s passion and death. It would be good for each person to venerate it with a genuflection or a bow. We sing, “Behold the wood of the Cross, on which hung the salvation of the world. Come let us adore.”

Set aside some prayerful family time between 12 noon and 3 p.m.

Parish Celebration of Good Friday

We will celebrate on Friday, April 10 the Passion of the Lord liturgy 3:00 PM via Facebook and on the parish website.

Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there. ~ John 19:41-42

Family Faith Activity: During the day on Holy Saturday, spend some time as a family talking about the Paschal Mystery — Jesus’ crucifixion, death and resurrection.

Take a walk around your backyard or neighborhood looking for signs of new life in springtime. Talk about how Jesus rising to new life is truly transformative and life-changing.

Parish Celebration of Easter Sunday Morning Mass

We will celebrate Easter Sunday Mass on Sunday, April 12 at 8:00 AM via Facebook and on the parish website.

The Easter Vigil is the restoration of the early Church’s tradition as the great celebration of adult baptism and confirmation. It is the high point in the liturgical year. The vigil begins in darkness (usually outside) and the long procession of candlelight that enlivens the church reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world who has conquered all darkness and death.

The Paschal candle that is lit at the Easter Vigil will remain in the church throughout the year as a sign of Christ’s death and resurrection.

Even though we may not be together as a community to celebrate Easter, the Lord is risen! Let us rejoice, therefore, and be glad!

Parish Celebration of the Easter Vigil

We will celebrate the Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 11 at 4:00 PM via Facebook and on the parish website.

There is Hope in Jesus

Click on the picture to watch a moving reflection on one of the Seven Last Words of Jesus from the Cross:

"I Thirst."

“When you know how much God is in love with you then you can only live your life radiating that love.”

St. Teresa of Calcutta

I n this video reflection, imagine Jesus with you, speaking these words directly to you. Imagine your name in front of the words “ I thirst” and put yourself in the silent presence of God and prayerfully imagine Jesus gently calling your name and speaking his parting words from the cross personally to you.

Liturgical Life in Your Home

In our homes — our "domestic churches" where the faith is lived out mostly from day to day — we can connect ourselves more closely to the Church’s liturgical season. This can be done even in simple ways, particularly by setting aside a special place to pray.

PRAYER TABLE

One common practice in homes is to have a prayer table with a simple cloth, a crucifix or other sacred images, or a candle. Other items can be kept there as well, such as rosaries or your family Bible. Other decorations related more directly to the day being celebrated can also be added. If the colors of your prayer table's decor can be changed, use white on Holy Thursday and Easter, red on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, and purple in between.

During these days, we prepare ourselves for Easter by prayerful reflection upon the events of Jesus’ Passion and death.

EASTER PRACTICE

An Easter practice is to adorn the cross (you could use the same one as used on Good Friday) with spring flowers, a visible reminder that God has transformed the meaning of even suffering and death. If flowers are hard to come by at home, another possibility is to encourage children to draw, color or paint such decorations.

Perhaps large “Alleluia!” posters can be made to add a bit of Easter festivity to the home. Easter songs are not as well-known and popular as Christmas carols, but don’t let that stop you from letting your alleluias ring out, for Christ is truly risen from the tomb.

No matter the difficulty of this crisis, Easter reminds us that God always wins — indeed, he’s already won, and so no matter the sorrow around us, we can be filled with joy.

Holy Week on Demand via Formed.org

CATHOLIC FAITH ON DEMAND

Enrich your spiritual and prayer life during these uncertain times with books, audio talks, movies and reflections on Formed . Learn how to sign up for a free account on our website cantoncatholic.org There are

many more options on the Formed Website.

There is something for every member of your family to watch. Click on the picture to watch a video or log into Formed and create a free account.

With Gratitude

WITH SINCERE GRATITUDE

As always, we are most grateful for all you do. May you and your family be blessed as you celebrate the true meaning of Easter , from the reflection of Good Friday to the joy of Easter Sunday and the promise of eternal life.

Thank you to the many new families who recently registered for Online Giving. We are inspired by your initiative and generosity!

Similar to you, we are working diligently to navigate the unknown and potential financial implications of this crisis as it affects us currently and in the future.

You may make your weekly contribution to the parish through the “Online Giving” portal available on our website or via the Online Giving buttons below. You may register for recurring gifts or opt to make a one-time gift without setting up an account.

Online Giving is integral to the sustainability of our parishes and we are grateful for your continued donations in support of our parishes.

To register for ONLINE GIVING, please click the image for the parish (or parishes) you wish to create an account or you may give a one-time gift via the parish website.