Marvels of Mass

Reflection for the 5th Sunday of Easter - May 10, 2020

There are times like now when I really don’t want to do this reflection. BUT, I also know that it’s times like this where I MUST lean on our faith and open my heart to hear God in my life. There’s nothing better to do than to read the Gospel for this Sunday and reflect. As I read this Gospel once again, I realize how God puts scrip-tures before us that have an uncanny way of speaking to some aspect of our lives just when we need it. The opening line: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” (John 14:1) Just what I need today.

Reflection for the 4th Sunday of Easter - May 3, 2020

The 4th Sunday of Easter is often referred to as ‘Good Shepherd’ Sunday as we always have a Gospel reading referencing the ‘good shepherd’, (ironically enough, I know). In Cycle A readings, the reference is a bit different from the regular: ‘I know my sheep and mine know me.’ and ‘A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.’ This year, we hear of images of a gatekeeper, and sheep following him through the gate, of hearing a voice and recogniz-ing that voice. Our music leads us also to these teachings.

Reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Easter - April 26, 2020

We begin our Masses this weekend with the glorious proclamation of Christ’s resurrection – a theme that we repeat each week during this Easter season. Today, that hymn is “Festival Canticle: Worthy is Christ” by Richard Hillert, an American composer and professor. He is known as a Lutheran composer, but, of course, all Christian denominations believe in the resurrection of Our Lord. The text for this hymn is based on Revelation 5:12–14:
 
And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

Reflection on Palm Sunday - April 5, 2020

I don’t even know how to begin this article.  During this turbulent and unknown time, it is hitting every aspect of life in some way.  While I feel incredibly honored to be able to assist in bringing the Mass to all of you through Live streaming on Facebook, it’s also incredibly sad to be doing that.  Tears welled up in my eyes as I read the latest instructions on the celebration of the Easter Triduum from the Archbishop.  I support and understand the new directives, but it’s just hard to envision it and to realize what we are missing out on this year.  I live in the hope that someday soon

Reflection on the Fourth Sunday of Lent - March 22, 2020

This 4th Sunday of Lent is known as Laetare Sunday. The entrance antiphon for this Sunday in Latin is “Laetare Jerusalem” or “Rejoice, Jerusalem”. We are halfway through Lent now, and the Church gives us this Sunday to add in a little ‘rejoicing’. The pre-siders have the option of wearing rose-colored vestments, which just like during Advent, is seen as a mixture of the regular Lenten purple and the upcoming white of Easter. We can add in some greenery or flowers to the sanctuary.

Reflection on the Third Sunday of Lent - March 15, 2020

This weekend at the 9AM Mass on Sunday, we celebrate the First Scrutiny with the elect. Who are the elect? These are the people who are preparing to enter our community at the Easter Vigil. Some have been baptized already and are the Candidates; those who are not baptized are the Catechumens. After the Rite of Election during the first week of Lent, they are all now called the elect (technically, the catechumens are just ‘the elect’; the candidates remain as ‘candidates’ – but for our sake, we refer to all of them as ‘the elect’).

Reflection on the First Sunday of Lent - March 1, 2020

You may have noticed some changes today, or on Ash Wednesday when you came to Mass. The environment is definitely different. All of the gold that can be removed has been; all the greenery is gone. We have gone back to using a simple wooden cross and wooden candle sticks. Taking it all down a notch. Just getting simpler and down to the basics. We’re using a different form of the penitential rite that recalls very directly our sinfulness and our need for mercy. So why do we have all these changes?