Rachel’s Vineyard
Thank you for lifting me, our team and the candidates in prayer. I’m always amazed to witness and experience the healing power of God in these retreats. His love heals and restores all things.
Parish Mission
I’m away Monday and Tuesday to preach a parish mission at St. Rita’s Parish. Please pray for me and for the parishioners that the retreat may be spirit-filled and lead us all to rediscover anew the riches hidden in Christ.
The Scrutinies
Last Sunday, we had the first scrutiny for our catechumens at St. John Vianney Church. This Sunday, we will have the second scrutiny at St. Ann’s Church.
What do these scrutinies really mean? Please check page 5 (of this week’s bulletin) to see a detailed explanation. It is good for us to know as we are journeying together with them. A community journeying together in holiness during Lent.
Today is Laetare Sunday. What does that mean?
Michael Heinlein, the editor of simply Catholic says: “It’s optional, but I’ve always liked it — when the Church’s sacred ministers wear “pink” on Laetare Sunday — Roman Catholicism’s Fourth Sunday of Lent. Now, I have to go and find my pink shirt. My sisters will be happy to see me in my pink shirt.
The day’s theme comes from the entrance antiphon reflecting on Isaiah 66:10-11:
“Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exalt and be satisfied at her consoling breast.”
As Michael writes, “Laetare is the first word — meaning “rejoice” — in the Latin text. On Laetare Sunday (as similarly with the Third Sunday of Advent’s Gaudete Sunday) the Church expresses hope and joy in the midst of our Lenten fasts and penances. Call it pink — or, more fittingly, rose — this change in color indicates a glimpse of the joy that awaits us at Easter, just before we enter into the somber days of Passiontide.”
We are few weeks away from Easter. Michael remarks that “The joy of Easter being around the corner is symbolized in a few other interesting liturgical possibilities” Typically, we do not have flowers around the Altar during Lent but on Laetare Sunday, we deck out the altar with pink roses, if possible. At one time, marriages were generally forbidden during Lent, but Laetare Sunday was often associated as a day when marriages could be celebrated during the penitential season. While marriages are now only forbidden on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, Laetare Sunday is still a fitting day for those wishing to be married before Eastertide.
As Michael highlights, “Laetare Sunday is the Church’s way of giving us a “shot in the arm” as we approach the darkness and horror of the days through Good Friday and Holy Saturday. It’s an opportunity to savor and keep in the back of our minds what awaits us on Easter Sunday — the reality that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead, and that our hearts will always be filled with joy”. “Being aware of traditions and customs assists us in celebrating the beauty of our faith. Take advantage of the richness of our Catholic traditions.”
Happy Sunday!
Your Brother,
Fr. Obi