Posted on April 13, 2025 View all Pastor's Letter
Greetings to all:
With the grace of God, we begin Holy Week. The Gospels remind us that Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem on this day and is joyfully greeted by the people who cheered Him with palm branches. He enters riding a colt as a sign of humility, and to show that His kingdom is not of this world, the people shout with joy: “Hosanna! Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Luke 19:38). It is the procession of a king. Only this procession is preceded by a different king; there are no trumpets, elegant garments, or signs of wealth. The attendants were the poor, and their improvised red carpet was made of capes and palm branches. Jesus invites us to enter this Holy Week with humility, desiring conversion and contrite for our sins. We will all receive palm branches as a sign of peace and hope, a sign that we have chosen to follow Jesus on the path to the Father. Palm branches in our homes remind us that we have cheered Jesus, our King, and followed Him to the cross so that we may be consistent with our faith and follow and acclaim the Savior throughout our lives.
As last year, this year, we will also have Eucharistic Adoration on Holy Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. We will also have the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. I invite everyone to pray in silence and meditate on the Passion of Our Lord. We will expose the Blessed Sacrament from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. I encourage everyone to participate. Unlike previous years, this year, we will have confessions all three days starting at 6:30 p.m. I invite you to do a good examination of conscience and a good confession.
I want to ask you for a special prayer for all the priests of our diocese next Holy Tuesday. We will renew our priestly vows with our bishop in the cathedral. Also, during this Eucharist, the bishop will consecrate the oils used to anoint God’s people: the oil of the sick, which brings healing and comfort to the ill; the oil of catechumens, which strengthens those preparing for baptism; and the Holy Chrism, which is used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and ordination. For those who wish to participate, the Mass will be held at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More at 11:00 a.m.
On Holy Thursday, we commemorate the Institution of the Eucharist and the ministerial priesthood. I ask for a special prayer for all priests, especially those who work with you. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper (bilingual) will be at 6:00 p.m. afterward, we will process the Blessed Sacrament to Hannan Hall, where we will set up an altar and remain there in adoration until midnight. On Good Friday, a day of penance, fasting, and reflection, we will have confessions starting at 9:00 a.m., praying the Stations of the Cross in English at noon, and the Lord’s Passion in English at 3:00 p.m. At 5:00 p.m., we will pray the Stations of the Cross in Spanish around the parking lot, and at the end, we will celebrate the Lord’s Passion.
Holy Saturday is a day of silence and meditation. Let us imagine the Virgin Mary’s heartbroken for the loss of her son. In the evening, we will celebrate the Easter Vigil in English at 8:30 p.m. and in Spanish at 11:30 p.m. The Easter Vigil is the most important celebration of the liturgical year; it is the heart of the Church’s life. I invite you to celebrate this Holy Night of the Resurrection as a family.
Finally, I inform you that the parish office will be closed from Thursday the 17th and will reopen on Tuesday the 22nd due to the Easter holidays. During Easter week, we will cancel the 6:30 a.m. Mass and will only celebrate the 9:00 a.m. Mass. This is to allow our staff and volunteers to also celebrate the Easter season with their families. Wednesday and Thursday confessions are also canceled. After Lent, we are taking a moment to rest a little.
The Easter Triduum, which begins on Holy Thursday and ends on Easter Sunday, is the most solemn and important time of the liturgical year. It celebrates the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ-his passion, death, and resurrection. I commend myself for your prayers, and rest assured; I will always keep you in my prayers. I hope we live this Holy Week with great intensity and you may celebrate the Easter Triduum in grace, understanding its profound significance.
God bless you.
Fr. Alex
