As we have journeyed as a parish through Lent, we have responded to Jesus’ call. On Ash Wednesday, we embraced the Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. At our Faith-CAFÉ on the theme of personal vocation, we reflected on the reality that each one of us is called by name by our loving God, and respond to that call by embracing and living out the “name of grace” Christ has given us. Although our Lenten mission was cancelled because of Fr. Mike Shaw’s illness, through our viewing of the film Philomena and in our communal penitential service, we experienced the healing power of Reconciliation to transform our relationship not only with God, but with ourselves, our neighbours, with all of God’s creation. We responded joyfully to Pope Francis’ announcement of a Holy Year in 2016 to be dedicated to the theme of God’s unconditional mercy and love.

As a community, we now embark upon the greatest journey of the liturgical year: the Paschal Triduum, a single symphony in three distinct movements, from Thursday evening to Sunday morning. Holy Thursday evening, we celebrate the self-gift of Christ, imitating Jesus’ gesture of humble, foot-washing service; “in memory of Him”, we celebrate the Eucharist, sharing the bread and wine which become his Body and Blood, keeping vigil with him in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. On Good Friday, we reflect on Christ’s Passion and Death: venerating the Cross in the solemn afternoon liturgy, re-enacting the Way of his Cross in the evening service led by the youth of our parish. Saturday is spent in the tomb with Jesus – in prayer and fasting, in anticipation of the Easter Vigil: the “Night of all Nights”, in which the new fire is blessed, the Paschal Candle raised up to the chant of the Exsultet, and fragrant flowers fill the sanctuary to the return of the Gloria and Alleluia chants. Along with our RCIA candidates Tanya, Iain, Ji, Brent and Cindy, we will renew the vows of our own Baptism and Confirmation, celebrating with them the gift of the Holy Spirit and the call to the Eucharist. The joy of the Resurrection carries over onto Easter Sunday morning, continuing with special solemnity for a week, and through the fifty days of the Easter season, culminating with the Feast of Pentecost.

The Easter Triduum is the high point of the whole liturgical year. It is indeed the “greatest show on earth”: please take part in as much of it as you possibly can. Invite a friend or family member, especially one who does not come to church regularly, to share this special time with us, as we celebrate the Paschal Mystery, the revelation of our identity in the Crucified and Risen Lord. Blessed Holy Week to you all!