| Dear Fellow Parishioners, It is April School Vacation and some people will be traveling during this time. I know two families and some students are traveling to Italy and will be spending Holy Week in Rome, celebrating the holiest days of our Catholic faith-life with Pope Francis. How wonderful is that. As exciting as that is, the very same celebrations that are taking place in Rome take place in our parish and every Catholic Church throughout the world. We gather as a community of faith to remember our Salvation History in ritual, song and action to assist us in deepening our understanding and commitment to a powerful relationship with Jesus Christ. I encourage those of us who are not traveling to join fully in the events and rituals of this Holy Week. I remember when I was first introduced to the Holy Week Services, my family journeyed together each evening, walked to church from home and joined in prayer together. How impressed I was with the faith of everyone around me! We will gather each evening at 7:30 P.M. Wednesday through Saturday. I realize that you may not be able to join us each night, but please come when you can. When is the last time you sought forgiveness through the sacrament of Reconciliation (confession, penance)? Wednesday night is that opportunity to do so, to hear the words, “Be untied and set free, take up your mat and walk, peace be in your heart, neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more!” What a wonderful way to fully participate in our “Fixer-upper” spiritual journey. The Sacred Triduum begins Thursday evening as we recall the Last Supper Jesus had with his disciples the night before he died. In the conference room in the parish center all will have time for personal prayer at the Altar of Repose from 9:00 P.M to Midnight. Come and spend some quiet time in personal reflection. On Good Friday come and spend the whole day, or part of the day together as a Community of faith. Walk-the-Walk begins at 10:00 AM in the church as we reflect on the Cross of Christ; followed by a simple Good Friday meal in the parish center. At 3:00 we gather for the Stations of the Cross to commemorate the Death of Jesus for each and every one of us. Then to finish our Good Friday observance we gather for veneration of the cross and communion at 7:30 P.M. Holy Saturday is a day of quiet reflection until we gather at 7:30 P.M. outside the church around the Easter Fire, to light our new Pascal Candle and all of us carry our individual candles into the darkened church brought to life by the light of all our candles and we prepare for the Easter Sacraments for Saken Khokhar and Gregory Cucino who will receive the three sacraments of initiation; Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. We will also celebrate the sacrament of confirmation with Nicole Kenn, Kristin Small and Kevin Maldarelli. A truly wonderful night for all of us as we welcome the Easter Season. So, even though we cannot be in Rome with Pope Francis, we can gather here at Sacred Heart and celebrate our salvation history and confirm our commitment as Disciples of Christ. See you in Church! Fr. Bill |