Happy Palm Sunday!

Our processional antiphon reads: “As the Lord entered the holy city, the children of the Hebrews proclaimed the resurrection of life. Waving their branches of palm, they cried: “Hosanna in the highest.” The cry of the people is Hosanna which means “save us!”. This dramatic Palm Sunday entry recognizes the fulfillment of the prophecy of an eternal kingship of David’s line.

Happy Laetare Sunday!

As we enter into this fourth week of Lent known as Laetare Sunday, we rejoice at the journey thus far. The inspiration comes from the entrance chant when the priest, deacon, and servers approach the altar. This fragment of sacred scripture prepares our hearts and minds for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.

Happy Lent!

This past Sunday, several men, women, and children’s names were enrolled into the Book of the Elect. These “Elect” from our community will receive some attention and many blessings. Beginning the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays in Lent you will notice the newly “Elect” receive three successive rites called “the Scrutinies.”

St. Thomas Aquinas said that friends share three things: time, possessions, and secrets. For example, how do I know if you’re my friend? Well, let’s say we’ve been to Mexico together, you’ve tried my shaky attempts at pasta carbonara, and you know what ridiculous costume I wore in a music video I filmed in my early twenties. We, dear reader, are definitely friends. We’ve shared time, possessions, and secrets.

Happy Lent!

It has only been a few days of Lent and I am sure you have already been tempted. Throughout our history of salvation, the Lord used 40 days to prepare for something great. Each year we are challenged to invite the Lord to stay close to us during our penitential season of Lent. We cry out like the psalmist: “Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.” When we do find ourselves in trouble our hope comes from the Lord.

Happy Sunday!

Our long anticipated season of Lent is upon us. Thousands of people rush to be reminded “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” These ashes and words equip us to be challenged for the next forty days as we enter our Easter pilgrimage. As Lent begins and with any pilgrimage, that means we are going somewhere.

One of my favorite new singers/songwriters is Noah Kahan. I’m a little biased because, like me, he is originally from Vermont. In a fine song entitled “Stick Season,” he sings of his hope to “cancel out the darkness I inherited from dad.” This lyric articulates his painful recognition of a dark spiritual “inheritance” from his father, and his hope to be free of it. We all inherit some degree of evil from our earthly forebears. It’s easy to feel doomed to repeat their darknesses.

Happy Sunday!

This Tuesday we celebrate the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. Saint Bernadette was the chosen visionary at Lourdes, France. Since then, millions of pilgrims flocked to the apparition site in search of healing and an encounter with our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ.

Happy Feast of the Presentation!

Today is a wonderful time of the year as it has been forty days since we celebrated the joyful feast of the Nativity of the Lord. This day is special because it is when our Blessed Lord Jesus was presented in the Temple by Mary and Joseph. So many lights are being illuminated this Sunday to reflect the beautiful antiphon: “A light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel. Lord, now you let your servant go in peace, in accordance with your word.”