I want to use this space in these next three Sundays to encourage everyone to set aside time to celebrate the Sacred Paschal Triduum, the shortest and most important three day Liturgical Season.  It runs from Holy Thursday evening until Easter Sunday evening.  This week, let's focus on Holy Thursday.

The Season of Lent ends when we enter into the Mass of the Lord's Supper at 6:00 on Holy Thursday evening, April 17.  We wear white garments and sing the "Gloria."  The first reading describes Moses introducing the Passover Feast.  In the New Testament reading, Saint Paul recalls Jesus instituting the Eucharist at the Last Supper.  In the Gospel, Saint John relates how Jesus washed the feet of his Apostles at the Last Supper.  I will wash the feet of 12 parishioners as a ritual reminder that we who share in the Eucharist are called to imitate the example of Jesus and serve others by washing their feet.  After we receive Holy Communion, we will take the reserved Eucharist in procession to the area near the Baptismal Font for communal prayer.  I will offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  When we leave the Church, the reserved Eucharist will be placed in the sacristy to be distributed at the Good Friday Liturgy.  The tabernacle will remain open and the Altar stripped.  We replace our Lenten fast with the Paschal Fast.

Fr. Bill Schooler