Happy Easter Season!
Alleluia! He is risen! I wish you, your family and your friends a joyful Easter season.
We had wonderful liturgical celebrations during Holy Week and the Triduum*, because many, many people stepped up to help. Thank you to all who contributed their time, knowledge and skills to our many liturgical ministries. It was a lot of work, done well! (In fact, the word “liturgy” refers to “the work of the people.”)
Thanks as well to everyone in the assembly, the entire group of worshipers coming together. There’s a classic line from a liturgical document: “The most important ministry is the ministry of the assembly.” All of us therefore minister to each other, by showing up to worship together. All specialized ministries—for example, presiding, lectoring and cantoring—are carried out by members of the assembly.
Note how this idea aligns well with what our parish values: everyone is important. Everyone should be listened to. Everyone should be actively engaged in worship and works of charity. It’s not that priests aren’t important. It’s just that all other members of our faith community are important, too. The Body of Christ has many parts.
Our parish values strongly reflect what the Second Vatican Council taught in the early 1960s. It’s not a coincidence. St. Matt’s parish leadership, including long-time pastor Fr. Steve Adrian, took the Council’s teachings to heart. You might recall that Fr. Steve has regularly referred to the Council in his homilies over the past couple of years.
*Triduum = The Three Days
“The Three Days” are counted according to the ancient Jewish calendar, in which a new day begins at sunset. They therefore include Holy Thursday evening through Good Friday and Holy Saturday into Easter Sunday.
Something to think about: how did the liturgies of the Triduum affect you? That is, which elements especially nourished you, spiritually speaking?
Have a great week!
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