Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: April 14, 2019
Dearest parishioners and Friends,
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday this weekend. Although a busy time, it’s also the best time. From the procession with palms through to the last Easter hymn, the great mysteries celebrated this week are so profound that they’re worth any inconvenience.
Of course, as the diocesan Cathedral, we’re privileged to have Bishop Duca preside at the principal liturgies. The Church’s mandate for everyone’s “full, conscious and active participation” at worship is best accomplished when shared by bishop, priest, deacon and laity (and among these last, consecrated religious women and men who have pride of place among them). I hope you can be with us throughout this time.
On Wednesday of Holy Week the bishop and all of the priests of the diocese concelebrate the special Mass of Chrism at 10:30 am. At this special Eucharist each priest renews his solemn commitment to serve God and His holy Catholic Church. I’ve had many people say over the years that this is one of the most impressive moments they’ve ever witnessed at a Mass. And then, the bishop blesses the Holy Oils used throughout the year: the Oil of Catechumens which heals the unbaptized, the Oil of the Sick which strengthens the ill and aged, and the Oil of Chrism which anoints bishops, priests and lay faithful as leaders. All in all it’s a wonderful ceremony: if you can see your way clear to come and take part, you’ll find it a real treat.
But most importantly I want to invite you to share in the official prayer of the Church on its “high holy days,” the Sacred Triduum. Our services at 6 pm on Holy Thursday, 3 pm on Good Friday, and 8 pm on Holy Saturday not only recall the greatest events of our salvation. They also bring us into intimate spiritual contact with Jesus Christ, our Lord. We accompany Him, as it were, as He gives His All for us. We share His pain and His glorification. We don’t deserve what He did for us, of course. But nevertheless, when we assemble to remember and thank Him, some of our guilt and responsibility is healed.
As I’ve often said, my personal “favorite” Triduum service is the Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday. Here at the Cathedral we’re especially fortunate to have a relic of the True Cross on which Jesus died: it’s embedded in the rugged cypress cross that we reverence that afternoon. Like ashes on Ash Wednesday, the Veneration of the Holy Cross on Good Friday is available to everyone, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, even those who for various reasons cannot receive Holy Communion worthily. Please make it a part of your devotion, especially since it can be the starting-point for a more thorough reconciliation with God and His Church.
But as I mentioned here last week, there’s something new this Palm Sunday: I’m hosting an Easter Egg Hunt after the 10:30 Mass on April 14. If your children or grandchildren would like to come, please bring them! There will be lots of fun – and food, too!
Yours in Christ, who by His holy cross redeemed the world,
Father Paul D. Counce
