Dear Parishioners at Christ the Redeemer,

As we begin this most holy of weeks, I wish to invite all of you to participate in the wonderful and prayerful liturgies of Holy Week. This is a special time of prayer for us as a parish community and for our families at home.

Holy Week culminates with the Sacred Triduum, which is Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. We are invited to gather as a faith community on these days to remember the life-saving mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection. These are the deepest roots of what we believe and what we can discover of the Father’s fidelity to us in Christ. To remember liturgically is to publically proclaim in Word and sacramental gesture the saving deeds of God in Christ.

On Holy Thursday we are blessed at Christ the Redeemer Parish to gather twice for the Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper. We will celebrate once in English and once in Spanish. During these liturgies, we will hear the scriptures which tell of Passover, of the Lord’s Last Supper, and of the Washing of the Feet. During the Eucharists, we will we wash the feet of our parishioners. Following, Mass we will process from the Church to the Chapel where the Eucharist will be available for silent prayer and adoration.

I invite you to celebrate a special meal with your family and friends that night in your homes.

Good Friday we will celebrate the Solemn Memorial of the Lord’s Passion and Death by which we are saved, in which we find life. Come and hear the Passion according to John, venerate the Cross, and receive Holy Communion.

I suggest that some prayerful and quiet time be pursued in your homes.

The Great Vigil of Easter will be celebrated bilingually in English and Spanish. The Easter fire will scatter the dark and the cold of the night and the Easter Candle--representing Christ risen among us--will be carried into the church and shared with the faithful. Come and share in the proclamation and hearing of the history of salvation until the wonderful story of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Gather with other believers, especially the newly baptized and confirmed, around the Lord’s Table, where we celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death.

Take some time during Holy Saturday to prepare for Easter.

Finally please come and enjoy the Easter Sunday liturgies with family, friends, and many visitors. Come and celebrate new life and new hope in Christ risen from the dead.

Sicerely,

(Fr.) C. Donald Howard, SA
Pastor