Congratulations to everyone involved in our Drama Club production of Frozen Jr. which concludes today. The performances have been spectacular and the production sensational. Thank you to all who have worked so diligently to prepare for these performances. You have graced us with your talents at recent Sunday Masses at both the Notre Dame de Lourdes and Our Lady of Peace Worship Sites. We are so proud of all of you.
Thanks also to all who have attended the performances. A portion of the proceeds from the production have been used to finance the upgrades to the Parish Center. The railings along the front and side of the Parish Center were made possible because of your generous support of the Drama Club. Also the new ceiling tiles in the Parish Center also were the result of your support of the arts. Thank you so very much and God Bless you abundantly for your support of Our Lady of Peace Parish.
Thanks also to all of you who pledged your support of the Mission Youth Holy Week outreach program. You, as always, have overwhelmingly provided support for this outreach. Our young missionaries will be well nourished as they go forth as disciples of Christ. Thank you again and please keep these missionaries and their outreach in your prayers and well wishes.
Thank you to everyone who has supported our parish and school fundraising initiatives this winter season. From bingo to blocks we are able to accomplish so many good things here at Our Lady of Peace and at our Notre Dame de Lourdes School because of your support.
This is the final full week of Lent. Lent officially ends in the late afternoon of Holy Thursday, only eleven days away. It has been a pleasure to serve with you this Lenten season. Both of our Worship Sites have greatly assisted us in meditating upon the symbols of this season.
Spotlights have shown us the beauty of our side altars at Our Lady of Peace as they were adorned with violet cloth and appurtenances of the season. The tapestry at the main altar, and the image of our Redeemer, enriches the liturgical experience with much meaningful inspiration.
Additionally, the backlighting at the reredos at Notre Dame de Lourdes has enhanced the seasonal banners draped there. I am amazed at the beauty of the Notre Dame interior when I am privileged to walk into its darkened spaces and gradually add light. This is particularly noticeable with the simplicity of the book placed in front of the altar.
The book is the Lectionary. The Lectionary contains the readings for every Mass celebrated throughout the year. For the entire Lenten season this Lectionary has been opened to the readings for the Chrism Mass – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and release to prisoners.” (Isaiah 61:1). The Chrism Mass is celebrated only at the Cathedral, usually on Holy Thursday morning. At the Chrism Mass the Clergy renew the promises that they made on the day of their ordination, and the Sacred Oils are blessed by the Archbishop.
It is the Sacred Oils that are used to anoint us. Oil of the Catechumen enables us to be holy, disciples, and servant leaders. Oil of the Infirm strengthens us in times of frailty and comforts us with the assurance of Jesus’ ever abiding love and tender care. The Sacred Chrism makes us God’s children and imparts the Holy Spirit upon us with Sevenfold Gifts and unique charisms.
How very interesting that the readings from the Chrism Mass, the Mass which brings the Lenten season to its fitting close, have accompanied us throughout our Lenten observances. We have been anointed. And our Lenten discipline helps us to long for that anointing. Longing for holiness when we are tempted, for strength when we are weak, for the realization that we have been given everything that we need to be effective servants of the Lord.
We have almost come full circle. Lent will end where it began. Jesus proves his love for the Father and for us by remaining steadfast. We offer thanks to Jesus by accepting his anointings which keeps us firm.
The lights at Notre Dame de Lourdes stunningly shine upon a very significant reading. The light of heaven’s love does the same for our hearts.