Note From The Pastor
 
"The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us every day in His goodness."  ~ St. Gianna Beretta Molla
 
One year ago almost everything was shutdown.  One of the most challenging aspects of the shutdown was empty churches.  Our liturgies for Holy Week and Easter were held without people in the pews.  It certainly made me realize the value of something I had taken for granted – leading people in prayer and celebrating liturgy with parishioners during the most sacred time of year. 
 
As we approach Holy Week and Easter in 2021, we are still in the pandemic.  But this year, we will have people in the pews.  God blesses us with the chance to gather and recall the events on which our faith is based, the passion, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.  This year there will still need to be adaptations, but we can be grateful.  As I share with you how this Holy Week and Easter will be different from others past, please remember that we are blessed and we should thank God for the chance to gather and celebrate.
 
We have received directives from both the Diocese and Vatican, regarding Holy Week and Easter liturgies.  Many of the current precautions will continue to be in place, such as social distancing and no congregational singing.  Those specific to Holy Week and Easter I share below, so you have some idea of what to expect.  We are allowed additional cantors.  All liturgies at both parishes will be livestreamed. 
 
Palm Sunday – Palm Sunday will have the blessing of palms, but people will need to receive their palm branches, and they will be blessed as we begin Mass.   There will be blessed palms available, for people to pick up at Church during the week.
 
Holy Thursday – We will have the celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at both parishes.  The traditional washing of feet, which is optional, is omitted this year.  There will be adoration until Midnight, and there will be some slight adjustments to the procession.
 
Good Friday – During the Celebration of the Passion (Good Friday service), The Passion will be read in parts at Holy Spirit (congregation parts projected on the screen) and by the priest at St. John Vianney.  There will be veneration of the Cross, but only one cross can be used.  People will be asked to venerate without touching or kissing the cross.  It will be held in center aisle for veneration. 
 
Easter Vigil – There are several adaptations for the Easter Vigil.  It will begin at 8:30 PM at both parishes.  There will be the Easter fire with a limited number of people gathered at the fire.  The Easter candle will be processed in, but there will be no individual candles or tapers for the congregation.  The blessing of water will be done prior to Mass, and not during the Vigil.  We will celebrate Baptisms and Confirmations with some minor adjustments.
 
Easter Sunday – There will NOT be reservations for Easter Masses at either parish.  We do have extra Masses (ten Easter Sunday Masses in the pastorate), and we should be able to accommodate the people who come.  It is spring break for schools in Hamilton County, so we expect the number of people to be down.  The Easter Sequence (the ancient hymn - Victimae Paschali Laudes – Christians to the Paschal Victim offer your praises) is required, and will either be recited by the congregation or sung by a cantor. 
 
I realize that we all long for a “normal” Holy Week and Easter.  We all have cherished memories of particular aspects of the liturgies and these days.  For this year, let us be grateful.  Let us walk with Jesus in His last days, and celebrate His resurrection.  Let us thank God we can gather and celebrate our holiest of time of year.  
 
“He will provide the way and the means, such as you could never have imagined.  Leave it all to Him, let go of yourself.  Lose yourself on the Cross, and you will find yourself entirely.” 
~ St. Catherine of Siena
 
PS:  We are in need of volunteers for all the liturgies and Masses at both parishes.  Please check your schedule and sign up if you are able. 
 
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Dale