Father's Reflection 3.24.24

What a gift to be entering into the holiest, most important week of the year for us as Christians! Without the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus, our faith has no purpose or power. 

If Jesus did rise from the dead, as we profess to believe, this changes everything! We have no need to fear death or what happens after our earthly life passes away. We can live already now with confidence that Jesus is with us every moment, though we may not feel Him, and He will escort us from this life into perfect, loving union with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit in the next!

Please don’t miss the opportunity to join in the most important liturgies of the year that happen before Easter Sunday:

Holy Thursday - St. Augustine 7pm
This Mass includes remembrance of Jesus washing the feet of his apostles, the institution of the Eucharist/the priesthood, and a procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the side altar to commemorate Jesus’ agony in the garden before being arrested.

Good Friday - Sacred Heart 3pm
This service includes venerating the cross on which Jesus poured out His love for us to His own death
**Join us before at Noon for Stations of the Cross followed by watching Mel Gibson’s The Passion of Christ**

Saturday Easter Vigil - St. James 8pm
The Mass of all Masses! Mass includes a dark, candle lit entrance, extra readings from Scripture, the baptism and reception of new members into the Catholic Church and the glorious celebration of Jesus rising from the dead!
**This is a long, but very beautiful Mass, approximately 2.5 hours…it’s worth staying up for** 

Easter Sunday
St. Augustine - 8:30am
Sacred Heart - 10:30am
More celebration of Jesus’ resurrection! He is risen, alleluia!

Looking forward to praying and celebrating this week with you as a first- time pastor!

Rejoice in hope,

Fr. Joel