The journey of Lent comes to its climactic end this week. Passion Sunday is celebrated a week before Easter Sunday, and reminds us of the sacrifice of Jesus. We listen to the events that led to Christ’s death as the Church invites us to immerse ourselves into Christ’s death, so that we may rise with Him on the third day. On Monday all priests will gather with our Bishop at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Hamilton to celebrate the Chrism Mass. Priests will renew their promises before the Bishop, and oils will be blessed and distributed to all parishes for use in the sacramental ministry for the upcoming year. On Thursday we will recall and celebrate the institution of the sacraments of the Eucharist and the Priesthood with the Mass of the Last Supper at 7pm. On Good Friday we will honour Christ’s death with Liturgies of Christ’s Passion at 3pm, and Stations of the Cross at 7pm. On Holy Saturday we will decorate our churches and bless Easter food, and in the evening at 7pm we will celebrate the Easter Vigil Mass. Paschal candles will be blessed at this Mass and returned to all of our churches. We will also receive six adults into the Catholic Faith during this solemn Mass. Easter Sunday Masses will be celebrated throughout our parish with the focus on God’s victory over death and sin. Please refer to the Holy Week schedule of liturgies and join us.
We welcome Fr. Ray Jackson who has arrived to spend a few weeks with us. Fr. Ray is a good friend to many of us, and at the age of 91 he continues to serve the Lord and His Church. Having grown up in Owen Sound Fr. Ray likes to visit a few times a year. After many years of serving as a Basilian priest in Mexico, Fr. Ray now lives in a retirement home for Basilians in Toronto. We are blessed by his presence and faithful example.
Fr. Wojtek Kuzma