We are now entering Holy Week. What a powerful time of prayer. Jesus enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to the cheering crowds. Yet we know what is coming next. Even though we “know” what happens, allow yourself the time to reflect more deeply on what our Lord has done for each of us. Tuesday of Holy Week is the Chrism Mass in La Crosse. Bishop Battersby will bless and consecrate the oils that will be used throughout the diocese in the coming year. It is a great physical reminder of how we are connected and of Jesus’ presence in our lives. Another way to connect and be together is the Knights of Columbus Pizza night on April 16th from 5-7 pm at the KC club house on Clark Street.
Then we move into the Triduum. Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s supper, will be at 7 pm. Following Mass will be a holy hour led by the Knights of Columbus, with adoration continuing until Midnight. The Good Friday service will be at 12:15 pm. The Cross as an act of Love reveals how much God loves us and desires us to be with Him forever. On Holy Saturday at noon, there will be the blessing of the Easter baskets. What a nice tradition of the first meal that will break our Lenten fast. The Easter Vigil is at 8:30 pm. It is the high point of the liturgical year. That is the moment everything is changed and hope floods the world with the good news of the Resurrection. Easter Sunday recalls our baptismal promises and the new life won for us by our Lord’s death and resurrection.
As mentioned earlier, St. Francis de Sales Seminary is asking all parishes in Wisconsin to support its ongoing renovation program. The loose collection or gifts given for that express purpose will be collected on Holy Thursday. As Jesus ordained the Apostles to “do this in memory of Me” it is a good day to pray and support vocations to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. St. Francis Seminary has prepared many of our recently ordained priests, so I do encourage your generosity and prayers