As Christ spent his 40 days in the desert preparing to do the will of his Father, so too have we been given an incredible opportunity to be in the desert with Jesus this Lent. I know this very difficult time has caused major changes in our lives and added elements of anxiety and fear, I hope this time has also given you an opportunity to quiet your mind and heart and spend more time in prayer. Although we have not been able to gather for Mass, Adoration, Retreat, Penance, Stations of the Cross, decorating, and meetings, I encourage you to make this Holy Week one of opportunity quiet anticipation. Each year the business and preparation of this holy season causes us to rush into church, try to quiet our minds and heart, and walk the final journey with Jesus. This year is an opportunity to move at a different slower pace.
We began Palm Sunday without palms, yet we so longed to be in church. Keep the images of our church in your heart. They will be there when you return. We will continue Holy Week telling ourselves everything is so different. It is! But it is also an opportunity to be aware of something deeper. On Holy Thursday, ask yourself-do I take time to say thank you Jesus? Would I allow him to wash my feet and my hands? Will I spend time in adoration? You can still visit the 7 churches. Take your mind to churches you have been to in the past. Light a candle. Set up an altar in your home. Go there. Pray! On Good Friday, open your bible, read the Passion. Do you have a crucifix in your house and a statue or image of Mary to kneel in front of? Read the Stations of the Cross. Where are you in the crowd? Then as we move through to Holy Saturday, often a time of meal preparation and waiting for the resurrection, continue your Easter basket traditions. Make your favorite coffee cake. Color your eggs. Share the meaning behind the symbolic items in your basket with others, especially your children and grandchildren whom you will pass the tradition to. If you have holy water, bless your own basket. Finally, on Easter Sunday, wake up, take a walk. Listen to the birds. Look at the flowers now in bloom. Smile. Shout, HE IS RISEN! Crack open the egg-the tomb has been rolled away! Keep the faith. Corpus Christi church, our Pauline Fathers, parishioners and friends, will be with you in spirit. Until we meet again…KEEP HOPE ALIVE!
Peace-Beverly A. Sikora-Corpus Christi Parish Council President
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