"Unforgettable" is the name of a beautiful song famously sung by Nat King Cole (and one of mother's favorite songs). It is also a word that will be used by many people long after this pandemic is over. While it has affected almost everyone to one extent or another (and many have suffered the effects of the coronavirus and some died from it), it has certainly altered our gathering or not gathering to celebrate the Eucharist, splintering our congregation as some come to church for Mass, some to the parking lot for Mass and hopefully the rest are participating in Mass at home on television or by livestream with their computer. I pray that as more people are vaccinated and warmer weather becomes more prevalent, we will ALL be coming back to Mass in church where we can be together in giving worship and praise to God and growing in his love and our love for all. I have seen some of our "normal" parking lot Mass people coming back to Mass in church and hope more of you will recognize that it is safe to come back to Mass in church AND for those who have stayed at home, to receive Jesus in Holy Communion again.
As we near the start of the Easter Triduum, this Holy Thursday evening, I can tell you, I am truly looking forward to celebrating the most beautiful and meaningful liturgies of the entire Church year with people in the pews. While we offered virtual liturgies for Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday last year, I did not offer the liturgy of the Easter Vigil, which was a hard pill to swallow for me (and I hope more than a few of you)! Please consider coming to all of the liturgies of the Triduum this year. They will be somewhat altered because of COVID safety protocols (like no kissing the cross on Good Friday), but we will have more music than we've been having, led by Lynne Border and cantors and we will be welcoming a new Catholic, Kim Bailey through a profession of faith and reception of Confirmation and Holy Communion. We will also renew our Baptismal promises at the easter Vigil and at the Masses on Easter Sunday. In some ways it seems we have been in a "Lenten Desert" for now over a year, and I hope we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and are ready to celebrate the eternal light that is Jesus, as we recall the great Paschal Mystery of our salvation through the Paschal Triduum!
As we near the start of the Easter Triduum, this Holy Thursday evening, I can tell you, I am truly looking forward to celebrating the most beautiful and meaningful liturgies of the entire Church year with people in the pews. While we offered virtual liturgies for Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday last year, I did not offer the liturgy of the Easter Vigil, which was a hard pill to swallow for me (and I hope more than a few of you)! Please consider coming to all of the liturgies of the Triduum this year. They will be somewhat altered because of COVID safety protocols (like no kissing the cross on Good Friday), but we will have more music than we've been having, led by Lynne Border and cantors and we will be welcoming a new Catholic, Kim Bailey through a profession of faith and reception of Confirmation and Holy Communion. We will also renew our Baptismal promises at the easter Vigil and at the Masses on Easter Sunday. In some ways it seems we have been in a "Lenten Desert" for now over a year, and I hope we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and are ready to celebrate the eternal light that is Jesus, as we recall the great Paschal Mystery of our salvation through the Paschal Triduum!
My uncle, Paul, a career military man, gave me advice more than once from his military background to plan, organize, delegate, and follow-up when it comes to getting some things done. When I think of Carol and Larry Cruz who are our VIP (Very Important Persons) for the months of March and April (as chosen by our parish council), I remember them following this order and getting much done in their role as sacristans for well over 10 years here at Sacred Heart Church. I don't think Larry would mind me saying that his wife of over 60 years was in charge (at least in the role of sacristan), but Larry was always an invaluable help in most everything that had to be done before and after the ligurgies at Sacred Heart Church.
By the time I arrived as pastor of Sacred Heart Church (in June 2010), it was clear to me that Carol had things "under control" when it came to her duties to get things ready for our liturgies and keep our liturgical environment beautiful and appropriate. While I know she did delegate some responsibilities to other "assistant sacristans," Carol always did the Follow-up to make sure everything happened as it should. I was also thankful for her openness to some things I wanted done that were different from Msgr. Maone whom she served for a number of years. She would definitely share her opinion with me and I hope I always (or mostly) valued her perspective. She and Larry were up at the church seemingly daily and for a significant time both before and after our liturgies. They were always content with their roll of working behind the scenes and I must admit I probably didn't thank them enough on a regular basis for all of their hard work.
Over my years here they "threatened" to retire a number of times, which was never news that I wanted to hear. When they finally did retire, they made sure that our current sacristan, Mark Luckasavige, was adequately prepared to take over and always made themselves available to help him if (or when) he needed the help of their invailuable experience. Though it's been awhile since they returend "full time" to the pews, I can honestly say, I still miss them in the important role they played for so long. Carol and Larry Cruz are definitely worthy of being honored among our VIP's and I invite you to thank them for all their wonderful work for the Lord and this parish that has definitely left its mark in so many ways!!
By the time I arrived as pastor of Sacred Heart Church (in June 2010), it was clear to me that Carol had things "under control" when it came to her duties to get things ready for our liturgies and keep our liturgical environment beautiful and appropriate. While I know she did delegate some responsibilities to other "assistant sacristans," Carol always did the Follow-up to make sure everything happened as it should. I was also thankful for her openness to some things I wanted done that were different from Msgr. Maone whom she served for a number of years. She would definitely share her opinion with me and I hope I always (or mostly) valued her perspective. She and Larry were up at the church seemingly daily and for a significant time both before and after our liturgies. They were always content with their roll of working behind the scenes and I must admit I probably didn't thank them enough on a regular basis for all of their hard work.
Over my years here they "threatened" to retire a number of times, which was never news that I wanted to hear. When they finally did retire, they made sure that our current sacristan, Mark Luckasavige, was adequately prepared to take over and always made themselves available to help him if (or when) he needed the help of their invailuable experience. Though it's been awhile since they returend "full time" to the pews, I can honestly say, I still miss them in the important role they played for so long. Carol and Larry Cruz are definitely worthy of being honored among our VIP's and I invite you to thank them for all their wonderful work for the Lord and this parish that has definitely left its mark in so many ways!!
I hope everyone is aware that Pope Francis recently concluded a four day pastoral visit to Iraq. This was his first missionary journey since the pandemic started last March and it certainly kept some people nervous (and/or prayerful) throughout his time there because of the security threat and the continued threat of the coronavirus. As I compose this, Pope Francis is back safe and sound at the Vatican and his trip (the first by any pope to that area with such great religious history) will not soon be forgotten. In a few short days, Pope Francis went to a number of places around that country including what is believed to be the birthplace of Abraham. His visit there focused on forgiveness, hope and promoting peace and harmony between people of various religious traditions who live there. He preached (as Jesus did) forgiveness among the Christian people for the atrocities they endured from ISIS which included the murder of families and destruction of properties, including religious structures.
Pope Francis was very aware of how difficult this could or would be for those who through violence had lost land and home and family and felt (or still feel) the temptation for hatred and revenge. Pope John Paul II once commented that only the warmth of human relathionships marked by respect, understanding and acceptance can help people to overcome such feelings. Pope Francis also showed his love for the Christians there by coming to be with them and praying with and for them. While the number of Christians who remain in that country is now small, their hope for their future lives and the practice of their faith was, no doubt bolstered by the Pope's visit.
Finally, Pope Francis practiced humility by going to the home of a recognized spiritual leader of the Muslim fatih, meeting with him and both promoting a peaceful and respectful co-existence between all people, expecially those who profess faith. In the long run I believe this visit of Pope Francis will be considered one of the highpoints of his papacy and will be a long term blessing for all the people of that country. Let's pray for them and all those who have been ravaged by war, displacement and persecution!
Pope Francis was very aware of how difficult this could or would be for those who through violence had lost land and home and family and felt (or still feel) the temptation for hatred and revenge. Pope John Paul II once commented that only the warmth of human relathionships marked by respect, understanding and acceptance can help people to overcome such feelings. Pope Francis also showed his love for the Christians there by coming to be with them and praying with and for them. While the number of Christians who remain in that country is now small, their hope for their future lives and the practice of their faith was, no doubt bolstered by the Pope's visit.
Finally, Pope Francis practiced humility by going to the home of a recognized spiritual leader of the Muslim fatih, meeting with him and both promoting a peaceful and respectful co-existence between all people, expecially those who profess faith. In the long run I believe this visit of Pope Francis will be considered one of the highpoints of his papacy and will be a long term blessing for all the people of that country. Let's pray for them and all those who have been ravaged by war, displacement and persecution!