Pastor's Page

Holy Week , 2008

Dear Parishioners,

March 16, 2008

Today we are happy to welcome so many parishioners and visitors who come to St. Elizabeth Church to begin these sacred days of Holy Week. Whether you are a long-time parishioner, someone who has just recently registered, or a family who might be coming back to church after some time away,

Welcome!

This week is a powerful time of grace for all of us. During Holy Week, we have yet another invitation from the Lord to enter into the deepest mystery of who we are, the mystery of suffering and death, the struggle we all have with sinfulness, and our profound hope in new life, forgiveness, salvation.

Who of us doesn’t need more peace of heart, more joy in our lives, more of an experience of forgiveness for our weaknesses and mistakes?

Come and be part of this Holy Week here at St. Elizabeth!

Has it been a while since you were able to go to confession? We promise to make the experience as easy and healing as possible. On Monday, March 17, there will be confessions from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. and a Parish Penance Service at 7 :30 p.m. Confessions will be heard again on Holy Saturday, March 22 from 11:00 a.m. to noon and are also available by appointment by calling the Center at 271.4455. Why not allow yourself the grace of God’s forgiveness so available in this sacrament?

The Sacred Triduum--Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter--is our annual immersion through liturgy and prayer into the dying and rising of Christ. You may wish to start each of these days with Morning Prayer at 9:00 a.m.

The Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper with procession of the Eucharist to the place of Reposition in Msgr. Kane Hall begins at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday evening, March 20. There will be time for quiet prayer until 10:30 p.m. when we pray Night Prayer. Service of the Lord’s Passion is at 3:00 p.m. on Good Friday afternoon.

Our Youth Group will present the Living Stations of the Cross on Good Friday at 8:00 p.m. in the Church.

The high point of the Church year is the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening, March 22, at 8:00 p.m. The Easter Fire and Paschal Candle will be blessed (outdoors, weather permitting). We will initiate four new members of the Church through Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist and join them in renewing our own baptismal promises.

As we carry our blessed palms to our homes today and even to the graves of our loved ones, let us pray for one another. May Holy Week, 2008, be a time of healing, grace, and new life!

With my prayers for you and all those you love,

Father Frank Schneider, Pastor