Hello my Friends:
This marks a first in what will, hopefully, be a new tradition at St. Albert’s. Instead of Fr. Ray writing every bulletin letter, others, such as the deacon and maybe some others, will contribute their thoughts. This weekend we celebrate the middle of Lent. We all know that, generally, Lent is a time of penance, fasting and almsgiving. It is a time to reflect on how we need to change our lives to better follow Jesus’ teachings. It’s regarded as a “somber” time of preparation for Jesus’ Passion and ultimately his resurrection, the proof of his divine and salvific mission on earth.
We call this Sunday “Laetare Sunday”. “Laetare” means joyful in Latin. The term comes from the “Introit” or Entrance Antiphon at the beginning of the Mass, which is taken from the Book of Isaiah:
Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her;
rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her—
that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast;
that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious bosom. (Is. 66:10-11)
It is time for a brief break in the penance and introspection of Lent to relax a little and to look forward to the coming Easter celebration. You can even eat candy, or whatever else you gave up. You may notice this weekend that there may be some flowers in the sanctuary and more joyful music during the Mass. If Fr. Ray and I could be here, we would be wearing rose-colored vestments — really! We recently received some. Rose is a blend of the purple of Lent and the white of the celebration of Easter. We find joy that our period of penance and serious introspection is soon to end and we can then celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead!
May God bless you all during this joyful time and help you through your Lenten journey to the celebration of Easter.
God bless you all, Deacon David
This marks a first in what will, hopefully, be a new tradition at St. Albert’s. Instead of Fr. Ray writing every bulletin letter, others, such as the deacon and maybe some others, will contribute their thoughts. This weekend we celebrate the middle of Lent. We all know that, generally, Lent is a time of penance, fasting and almsgiving. It is a time to reflect on how we need to change our lives to better follow Jesus’ teachings. It’s regarded as a “somber” time of preparation for Jesus’ Passion and ultimately his resurrection, the proof of his divine and salvific mission on earth.
We call this Sunday “Laetare Sunday”. “Laetare” means joyful in Latin. The term comes from the “Introit” or Entrance Antiphon at the beginning of the Mass, which is taken from the Book of Isaiah:
Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her;
rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her—
that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast;
that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious bosom. (Is. 66:10-11)
It is time for a brief break in the penance and introspection of Lent to relax a little and to look forward to the coming Easter celebration. You can even eat candy, or whatever else you gave up. You may notice this weekend that there may be some flowers in the sanctuary and more joyful music during the Mass. If Fr. Ray and I could be here, we would be wearing rose-colored vestments — really! We recently received some. Rose is a blend of the purple of Lent and the white of the celebration of Easter. We find joy that our period of penance and serious introspection is soon to end and we can then celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead!
May God bless you all during this joyful time and help you through your Lenten journey to the celebration of Easter.
God bless you all, Deacon David
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