May the blessings of our Heavenly Father be yours in this holy season of Lent. This Sunday, the church gathers throughout the world to usher in holy week…a time of prayer, fasting, and holy anticipation as together, we await the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter. Indeed, our hearts are gladdened that this year, unlike last year, we can gather and celebrate as One Body of Christ.
Holy week begins at the conclusion of our Palm Sunday Masses. As we leave the church we leave in sacred silence, inviting the Lord into our hearts so that we can enter more fully into His journey into the holy city, Jerusalem. As always, the Word of God is impactful and I pray, calls us, one and all into deep reflection and personal conversion with the Son of God.
On Holy Thursday, we celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and recall that first Eucharist—when Jesus gathered with the Twelve at table to celebrate His last supper with those whom He loved so dear. What happened in the Upper Room is an everlasting memorial that we, privileged and deeply blessed remember each and every time we gather at the altar of God to celebrate Eucharist. Jesus is very clear to remind the Twelve to, “…do this, in remembrance of me.” As we eat His Body and drink His Blood, we are given new life. As the Gospel of Saint John tells us, “…whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him on the last day.” The Eucharist is the summit and source of our Catholic way of life.
On Good Friday, we hear once again the reading of the Passion and experience the painful and excruciating crucifixion of Jesus. We walk the Via Dolorosa and focus on the pain and beauty of the cross. For many, this day is one of sadness and suffering—as it was for the Christ. For others, this day is a day of great hope and promise of the mystery of heaven that is to be for those who are baptized in His name and follow his laws and decrees faithfully as disciples of Christ and His Word.
Holy Saturday is a day when the church gathers as One throughout the world and we welcome into the church, the elect of God—those men and women who will be baptized and brought into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. At the Vigil, we listen attentively to the history of salvation – how in the old testament, God promises the human race that He will save us from our sins and give us salvation through one person—the New Adam, Jesus Christ. The church in all her glory joyfully welcomes new Catholic Christians into the fold and proclaims Easter Joy!
Easter Sunday, the day of the Lord’s Resurrection! I pray that all who have taken time to prepare themselves well during the season of Lent will attend one of our many Easter liturgies. For your convenience, Masses will be offered at 7am, 9am, 11am and 1pm. Overflow locations with a live video feed will be available in our Parish Life Center, Tiger Gymnasium, and the School Gymnasium. The Eucharist will be brought by a deacon or acolyte during Communion to each overflow location.
Please note that the local churches of Galveston-Houston and we at Saint Michael the Archangel are limited in attendance. I ask that you register as soon as possible on the church website to attend one of our Masses and experience the joy and promise of Easter! Unlike last year, this year we can gather as a church, and we can gather in the church—this gift is reason in itself to celebrate with grateful hearts, that Jesus Christ is Risen…Alleluia, Alleluia!