Good Friday

The Crucifixion of our Savior

(Peter's art, 2010)

Today, in a very special way, we recall and reflect upon the suffering and death of

our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross.

In a special service at the hour of Christ's mercy, (no Mass is celebrated on this day) we will venerate the cross and hear scripture proclaimed.  We will receive Holy Communion, consecrated at last night's Mass.

We will return to Church for the Stations of the Cross tonight.

Below are the 14 Stations of the Cross. 

I pray that all Christians will make some time today to reflect on Christ's great sacrifice for us.

1

Christ is condemned to death

2 

The cross is laid upon Jesus

3

Jesus falls the first time

4

Jesus meets His Blessed Mother

5

Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross

6

Christ's face is wiped by Veronica

7

Jesus falls the second time

8

Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem

9

Jesus falls the third time

10

Jesus is stripped of His garments

11

Jesus is crucified

12 

Jesus dies on the cross

13

Jesus' body is taken down from the cross

14

Jesus' body is laid in the tomb

Snapshots of Samuel

Meet Samuel, 6 days old today, in the arms of Maria on her birthday!

Samuel's hand inside his brother's hand (Joseph, 3)

Now that Joseph is 3, he can open his eyes and show his teeth in photos.

News Flash:

Samuel will be baptized on Easter Sunday!

What a beauty.

Congratulations again, to Janell and Alain & family.

Final Preparations for the Easter Triduum:

Holy Wednesday

Yesterday was a big day of preparation for the Easter Triduum, which will begin tonight, at our 

Holy Thursday Mass of our Lord's Last Supper, continue with tomorrow's Good Friday celebration, and conclude with Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday.

The 40 days of lent have been a time of preparation for spiritual readiness, with special additional prayer time, works of charity above & beyond the norm, alms giving, fasting, and reconciliation.

Now the final physical preparations are being made to prepare our worship space and to train our ministers.

Zachary held a second rehearsal for the altar servers who will serve in the Easter Vigil Mass, which will be our first Easter liturgy.  Zachary is again the MC for the Easter Vigil, and worked diligently (and meticulously) with the servers (including his younger brothers) to prepare for the celebration.  They have many roles to fill, and the liturgy is multi-faceted.  It is an amazing liturgy! 

Many new members will be welcomed into the Church at Easter Vigil celebrations world-wide.

The altar servers are prepared and ready to serve, now let's just hope they get a nap on Saturday so they can stay alert for the 9-midnight Mass!

Peter captured this beautiful sunset as we were leaving Church last night.

We spent over 5 hours at Church yesterday helping to prepare for the Triduum and also celebrating a funeral Mass.  What a blessed way to pass Holy Wednesday...

Quick Get-a-Way

Off to the Great Wolf Lodge went our three sons and their great friend, Collin.

Off to battle with lily pads.

Off to play king of the floating thing.

Off to be spoiled by Grandma Billie and Grandpa Cliff, who packed a cooler full of healthy food

(plus a few treats) so they could eat in the room rather than wasting time (and money) at the restaurant.

The trip was at the top of Joseph's birthday wish list (specifically for G&G).

How could they say "no?"

They said next time they'll check the dates to avoid spring break times.

Guess a few of the lines were a bit long this time around.

What a great gift.  Thanks G&G!

Monday

Holy Week

Today's Gospel reading recounted Mary's anointing of Jesus at Bethany, where Judas Iscariot scolded her for wasting precious oil on Jesus rather than giving proceeds to the poor.

The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came, not only because of him, but also to see Lazaras, whom he had raised from the dead.  And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too, because many of the Jews were turning away and believing in Jesus because of him.   John 12:9-11

I received a great gift in my email box this morning from my favorite publication.

Magnificat has published the Holy Week volume online, for free.  The month of April is also free!

This is an amazing companion for prayer and spiritual reading.  If you've never read Magnificat, this is your chance to get a peek for free!  There are several pages of introductory essays & such at the beginning of each issue, followed by morning, day (or Mass) and evening prayers for each day.  The pages were a little slow to to load, but well worth the wait, I promise.

Palm Sunday

Our procession today~ Palm Sunday~ began in the parish hall, where we gathered to hear Luke's Gospel  account of Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem six days before the Passover. (Lk 19:28-40)

We processed with our blessed palms across the street and in to the church, singing and praising God.

The rain cleared just in time for our procession!

Joseph had the honor of serving as cross-bearer.

He asked to come home early from his Scout camp-out so as not to miss this opportunity.

Peter was a candle-bearer, and Zachary was acolyte.

For five weeks of Lent we have been preparing, by works of charity and self-sacrifice, for the celebration of our Lord's paschal mystery.  Today we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with the whole Church throughout the world.  Christ entered in triumph into his own city, to complete his work as our Messiah:  to suffer, to die, and to rise again.

Let us remember with devotion this entry which began his saving work and follow him with a lively faith.  United with him ins his suffering on the cross, may we share his resurrection and new life.

(today's opening prayer)

We take our blessed palms home, as reminders of our Lord's entrance into his Passion.

We now begin Holy Week.

A week set apart from all others.

Nanny for a day

Weston, 6 mos.

Sawyer, 2

Violet, 3

Weston, Violet & Sawyer

Today's my day to play nanny for my gorgeous nephews & niece.

Drs. Craig and Bethany have an open house celebrating one year as business owners of their vet clinic. 

So while they're away, we got to play outside in the sand-box and visit the chicken coop.

Peter's dog, Rocky, had a special surgery at their clinic yesterday, and is recovering nicely today.

Rocky wearing a cone and staying "mellow" for 2 weeks is going to be very interesting to say the least!

I filmed the surgery for Dr. Craig, and it's being shown (on a loop!) at the clinic during the open house.

A few people admitted to being too squeemish to watch, but some found it to be very interesting.

I told Craig he should post the video online for Scouts working on the Veterinary Medicine merit badge.

(Plus, being an Eagle Scout himself, he made sure to name each knot he tied during the suturing part of the surgery.)

I'll let you know if he posts it.

Until then, happy Saturday!