Holy Week is now upon us, the time especially to keep watch with Jesus through his suffering, passion, and death so we can be ever more amazed at the miracle of His resurrection. 

If we're honest, most of us would admit the extraordinary events of this week have become rather mundane for us.  Just think ~ the Creator of this universe, some 90 billion light years wide, is hanging on a cross! He dies! He's buried! Then a couple days later he walks out of the tomb, resurrected! And everything is different.

​Do we really believe this?  Do we believe this week's events are the most important events in the history of the universe?  Do we ingrain it into the minds and imaginations of our children?  Does it change the way we live?

​The opportunity is given us this week to participate in these events as if they were happening anew right now, through the Church's liturgy.  Jesus wants to reveal to us afresh who God is and who we are. What does He want to reveal to you?

​Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection brought about the greatest change the world has ever experienced.  Do you experience it?  Is your life "turning the world upside down" (Acts 17:6) by the way you live your participation in Jesus' resurrection?

​My prayer this week is that the Holy Spirit will open our minds to comprehend anew the events of this week, the most important in history, and give us the wisdom and courage to turn the world upside down for the glory of God and the good of our neighbor.

Will you join me in prayer this week during the holiest liturgies of the year?  And even better, invite someone along with you!

The schedule this week is as follows:

• Holy Thursday (April 14th): 7:00pm at St. John's. Commemorates Jesus' institution of the Eucharist, the priesthood, and His command of charity through washing His disciples' feet. Following Mass there is a procession through the Church with the Eucharist, commemorating Jesus and His disciples walking to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus begins His passion. The Eucharist will be reserved on a side altar until midnight, and all are invited to spend time with Him. Copies of chapters from the Gospel of John will be available for meditation.
• Good Friday (April 15th): Noon at St. Joe's, 6:30pm at St. John's. Commemorates the events of Jesus' condemnation by Pilate, scourging, carrying of the cross, death, and burial. During the liturgy the Passion according to St. John is sung, we intercede for the whole world, and have the opportunity to venerate the crucifix with a kiss and receive Holy Communion.
• Holy Saturday (April 16th). Commemorates Jesus' 'rest' in the tomb and descent to the realm of the dead, where He proclaims His victory of love and fidelity to all those righteous men and women who lived and died before His coming.
• The Easter Vigil (April 16th): 9:00pm at St. Joe's. Commemorates the great works of salvation history in the Old Testament, culminating in Jesus' resurrection and our incorporation into Christ through Baptism and the Eucharist. The liturgy begins outside with the blessing of a new fire, from which the Easter candle is lit, recalling the pillar of fire that led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt through the Red Sea and into the Promised Land. The light of Christ dispels the darkness of sin and death and shines on our minds the truth about God and how we are to live. Scripture readings recall salvation history before we renew our Baptismal promises and receive the risen Body and Blood of Jesus.
• Easter Sunday (April 17th): 9:00am at St. John's, 11:00am at St. Joe's. Commemorates Jesus' resurrection and the first witnesses who proclaimed this news to the apostles who are incredulous at first until they see for themselves the empty tomb and experience Jesus coming to them in the upper room. We, too, find it hard to believe this news. May the Holy Spirit help us grasp it and let it change our lives!

​Thank you to all who have donated toward our local effort to bring desperately needed aid to suffering people in Ukraine. Our parishes have collected over $14,000 to put toward medical supplies being brought to a Ukraine hospital as a I type. Joe and Tiffany Ampe adopted two boys with down syndrome from Ukraine three years ago. Their relationship with a network of adoptive families connected them with an ER doctor and his wife in south Ukraine, where bombardment has been fierce. The doctor requested all kinds of needed supplies to help the injured and save their lives. So Joe, their college-age son Evan, and four other men are currently bringing 60 suitcases filled with medical supplies to the Ukraine border, where it will be loaded and brought to the hospital.

​We spent last weekend, with the help of local PA's, sorting and packing 30 suitcases leaving from here. Your donations helped purchase first responder and CPR equipment, surgical kits; hospital gowns and gloves; tape, gauze, and bandages; a ventilator; diabetic supplies; scissors, wound cleaner, and airway protection. Local doctors also donated items, and others purchased and shipped items from Amazon. We also wrote notes and included Rosaries and blessed medals in each bag, assuring them of our prayers.

​Here are some pictures:

​This has been a tremendous effort. I'm proud of how our parishes responded to this request. In some small way, we are showing our love to these brothers and sisters of ours who are suffering their own crucifixion, and so consoling the heart of Jesus in them. Please continue to pray and sacrifice for peace and justice to prevail there.

​If you can make it, the final Stations and Soup for the Soul is tonight at St. John's: 5:00pm Stations of the Cross in the church, followed by homemade soup and bread in the parish hall at 5:30pm. Children and families welcome and encouraged!

​Peace,

Father Ryan