Diocese of Toledo, Ohio

Browsing From the Pastor

Bulletin Article March 6/7

Dear Friends,
 It may feel like Lent just began the other day. If your Lenten penances are heavy or rigorous, it probably feels like Easter is a long way away, yet by the time you read this, it will be less than a month away. It may seem too early to discuss Holy Week, but Easter Sunday is less than a month away on April 4. Holy Week begins on March 28 with Palm Sunday. Within Holy Week is the Paschal Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday. Because those holiest of days are quickly approaching, it is important to discuss the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week.
 Because of Covid-19, the Holy Week liturgies will look different this year. I will list these differences by day, hopefully making this easier to read.

Palm Sunday: The proclamation of the first Gospel reading and blessing of palms remains in place. However, this will not happen outside of the church as it usually does; this means there will not be the big procession into the church. Rather, the proclamation of the first Gospel reading and blessing of palms will take place within the church.

Holy Thursday: The Washing of Feet is omitted this year.

Good Friday: The adoration of the Cross by kissing it shall be limited solely to the celebrant. An opportunity for silent adoration of the Cross will be provided for the faithful.

Easter Vigil: There are different options for this, and therefore no decision on my part has been made as of writing this.

 The other side of Holy Week, particularly, the Paschal Triduum needing attention is the schedule. In the past, another priest has been brought in so that each parish could have its own full celebration of the Triduum. There are fewer and fewer priests available to help in this capacity. Other parishes in which multiple parishes share one priest often share the Sacred Triduum among the parishes. I also want to be present at both parishes during the Sacred Triduum in some manner, albeit imperfectly. Lastly, it is important to maintain a sense of being catholic, of being universal, that while a liturgy is not celebrated at “my parish,” it still is celebrated at another Catholic church, and therefore, I also belong there too. I know this is less than ideal; I know this is hard and difficult; I know that people do not like change and want to keep everything at their parish. Moving into the future and knowing the challenges that we face as parishes and as a Church, it is important that we band together as Catholics and followers of Christ, regardless of our parish, for the salvation of souls and renewal of society. 
 Keeping this in mind, the schedule for the Paschal Triduum is as follows for 2021:

Holy Thursday: 7pm – Resurrection
Good Friday: 1:30pm – Resurrection
Easter Vigil: 8:30pm – St. Mary of the Snows

 From here on out, the goal will be to alternate the schedule every year, with the Easter Vigil dependent on catechumens and candidates joining the Catholic Church. Now is the time to think about those who may be interested in converting to Catholicism and discussing it with them. 
 We are saints under construction, journeying through Lent to the Paschal festivities. Have a great week!

In Christ,

 

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