I am composing this pastor's column earlier than usual because of a Palm Sunday bulletin deadline. It is the day before the NCAA basketball semi-finals between Duke, Kansas, Villanova, and North Carolina. Fans who have been faithfully following these teams throughout the long season (which started in early November) will flock ito the arena or watch at home, in hopes that they can do the same only two days later in the final. It is something they wouldn't miss. It is the highpoint of the college basketball season and will also be watched by millions of college basketball fans even if their team is not in the finals.
Ever more important than a basketball (or any sport) season and championship is our participation faithfully, and on the weekend (for sure), in the celebration of the Mass. Such participation (whether we realize it or not) is both pointing toward and looking back at the highpoint of the Church's liturgical season, the Paschal or Easter Triduum. The importance of Catholics participating in these days (more as players than fans) in church AND at home is brought out beautifully by Fr. Paul Turner in the booklet, "What Am I Doing For Triduum This Year." Speaking of these three days he says that they stand out AGAINST ALL OTHERS for Christians: the day Jesus died, the day Jesus lay in the tomb, and the day he rose from the dead. WE celebrate them each year with a unique and extended liturgy at Church (with extended pauses for reflection, personal prayer and a fast from food and/or other normal wordly activities in between our gathering together). (Admittedly I did edit some of what he said). He ends by saying "Make time for your faith! Make these days different! Make them count!!
If you have been at Sacred Heart Parish over the last 12 years you have heard me stress the importance for ALL OF US who possibly can, to participate in church and in home devotional practices in the Paschal Triduum. Some have told me they have never heard a priest talk so strongly about participation in the most important days in the Church's entire year. My response is how sad! How sad that all priests aren't educating about the Triduum and strongly encouraging every Catholic's full participation. The Triduum is certainly what the Elect have been pointing toward during the 40 days of Lent as they prepare to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. Lent is, in reality, for ALL CATHOLICS a preparation for what some collects and prefaces at Mass during Lent say; the "paschal festivities" which is the TRIDUUM (the three days). I pray that ALL Sacred Heart parishioners, both those who have heard me stress the importance of full participation in the Triduum for the years I have been your pastor and some for the first time, will commit to making this a three day retreat for themselves both in church and at home. I strongly believe those who do so will be blessed abundantly with a strengthening faith in the paschal mystery (the passion, death, and resurrection of the Lord) and a more lively and committed faith life for the whole year and the rest of your lives!!! Unlike the NCAA finals, EVERYONE OF US can come out a winner with our celebration of Christ's ultimate victory going on for all eternity with him and with all the saints in glory!!
Ever more important than a basketball (or any sport) season and championship is our participation faithfully, and on the weekend (for sure), in the celebration of the Mass. Such participation (whether we realize it or not) is both pointing toward and looking back at the highpoint of the Church's liturgical season, the Paschal or Easter Triduum. The importance of Catholics participating in these days (more as players than fans) in church AND at home is brought out beautifully by Fr. Paul Turner in the booklet, "What Am I Doing For Triduum This Year." Speaking of these three days he says that they stand out AGAINST ALL OTHERS for Christians: the day Jesus died, the day Jesus lay in the tomb, and the day he rose from the dead. WE celebrate them each year with a unique and extended liturgy at Church (with extended pauses for reflection, personal prayer and a fast from food and/or other normal wordly activities in between our gathering together). (Admittedly I did edit some of what he said). He ends by saying "Make time for your faith! Make these days different! Make them count!!
If you have been at Sacred Heart Parish over the last 12 years you have heard me stress the importance for ALL OF US who possibly can, to participate in church and in home devotional practices in the Paschal Triduum. Some have told me they have never heard a priest talk so strongly about participation in the most important days in the Church's entire year. My response is how sad! How sad that all priests aren't educating about the Triduum and strongly encouraging every Catholic's full participation. The Triduum is certainly what the Elect have been pointing toward during the 40 days of Lent as they prepare to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. Lent is, in reality, for ALL CATHOLICS a preparation for what some collects and prefaces at Mass during Lent say; the "paschal festivities" which is the TRIDUUM (the three days). I pray that ALL Sacred Heart parishioners, both those who have heard me stress the importance of full participation in the Triduum for the years I have been your pastor and some for the first time, will commit to making this a three day retreat for themselves both in church and at home. I strongly believe those who do so will be blessed abundantly with a strengthening faith in the paschal mystery (the passion, death, and resurrection of the Lord) and a more lively and committed faith life for the whole year and the rest of your lives!!! Unlike the NCAA finals, EVERYONE OF US can come out a winner with our celebration of Christ's ultimate victory going on for all eternity with him and with all the saints in glory!!