Prep for the great Vigil

The parish has been a buzz today as final preparations are being done. We have had lights being changed, I even went up the cherry picker. The blog has gotten a bit of a face lift. We have had the final touches being put on the font. Decorating has been done, too a point, more before the Vigil. The party for after the Vigil is basically done as well. Lots of stuff going on today...even some prayer time. Here are the photos, enjoy.

Holy Saturday...during the day.

So you decided to stop by here this morning, welcome. If you are attending tonight's Vigil, let me recommend to you the wonderful preparation for the Easter Vigil found here. I am sure at some point today, Fr. Austin from A Concord Pastor will be putting some gems out there for your enrichment. Also don't forget to go to Vox Nova and Whispers, I am sure they will have some stuff up as well. If you would like to read the reading for the Vigil in advance, they can be found here. Peace

Good Friday

Well it is Good Friday and the colors around here are temporarily changing. Just one post today and this is it. The photo above is from a crucifix done by Michaelangelo, it is my favorite crucifix. Here are some prayer and reflection resources for you to use. If you are in the area come and join us at 5pm this evening. Have a blessed Good Friday.

• Here are the readings for Good Friday from the USCCB
• The Concord Pastor has some wonderful reflections on Good Friday, here, here, here, here and here.
• Here is a reflection for Good Friday from the Jesuits at Creighton
• Here is some info from the Vatican for Good Friday and the Way of the Cross
  
• Here is some more the the Jesuits at Creighton for Good Friday
  
• Here is even more from Creighton for Good Friday
  
• Here is an online stations of the Cross if you cannot get out for Good Friday
• Henry at Vox Nova has a nice piece up about Good Friday
• Rocco at Wispers has a nice reflection up for Good Friday, here and here
  
• J. Janda has a poem titled Sanguis Pretiosissimum

Leaving
the hospital grounds a
rose
splashed vermillion in
my face

I wiped my eyes
in disbelief after

driving a stabbed
Brother
to the emergency
entrance

he kept apologizing for
bleeding
on the seat covers of the
car
and me as I helped him
onto
the stainless steel cart

that night lying in bed
next
to the wall the
image
on the cross looked
down
while a drop of
blood
from the nailed foot
fell
on my eyes though

I could not move a
hand to wipe away

what
I would
drink
at Mass in the
morning

(This photo is from the passionistcharism's Flickr stream)

UPDATE: Here are some photos from St. Matthew on Good Friday

Holy Thursday at St. Matthew

Here are the photos, thank to all who made the Church beautiful with their craft, their service and their presence. Enjoy

Holy Thursday

(image by Sieger Koder)

This evening we will celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper. The Pope has already finished his. We will celebrate at 7:30. The Triduum is my favorite time of year. The Mass of the Lords Supper is second only to the Vigil. Tonight we hear wonderful readings that reflect themes of Eucharistic and service. This is the Mass as a kid when I wanted my feet to be washed, although it never happened. What a wonderful sense and model of service the Lord provides. On this night it is my most happy duty to wash the feet of others and to remind them that:

"I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”

Then they go immediately and serve others. It is humbling to be a part of this wonderful Mass, in persona Christi. It sets the Triduum off so well. For a few more reflections you can go here, here, here, here and here. Also here is a poem titled Jesus Speaks I by J. Janda:

I give you
life
I place you on

earth

for a very

special reason

but you won't
find out unless
you ask me what
the reason is

and talking
is so easy

The Triduum flows so wonderfully, it is a true joy to pray along the journey. I hope you will take this time to pray along. You can use the resources I gave earlier for Triduum, or use whatever you have to journey through the Triduum. Enjoy the Triduum it is a wonderful gift.

Triduum

I posted this a few days ago but I want to post it again as a reminder.

Read this doc on Scribd: Come to Triduum 2008

Now as to the Triduum and what all it means here are a few resources I have compiled for your reading pleasure.

• Paul Turner has a nice piece up about the Triduum
• Creighton University has some great resources up for the Triduum
• As usual the St. Louis University have some wonderful things up about the Triduum
• Over at Pastoral Liturgy, Mary Birmingham has a nice piece up about the Triduum
• The USCCB: Committee on Divine Worship has 14 Questions regarding the Triduum
  

More on the Triduum later...each in its time. Peace

Interesting

Don't read too much into this, but it is certainly interesting to ponder...maybe even in prayer??? Enjoy

Golf Lesson for your day.

Enjoy

Chrism Mass

This is Fr. Greg from St. Philip Benezi in Jonesboro. He said he "wanted on my blog", but I think he wanted to come see the blog or something like that but since he said he wanted to be on the blog (he has been in photos here before) but I thought I would put him up here again. Below you will find photos from the Lenten Day of Reflection and the Chrism Mass and the dinner following. It was a great day...always wonderful to spend time with the brothers. Peace to all.

Easter Sunday Bulletin

Read this doc on Scribd: 032308 new

Read this doc on Scribd: Easter Sunday 2008

Rep. Westmoreland is on the list

I realize that many people feel very passionately about immigration. I like many of you are products of people who have immigrated to this country. The media had their voice on the issue (unfortunately it is usually not the Catholic/Christian perspective) and the Church in the US has its voice through various means, not the least of which is the Justice for Immigrants campaign. I would ask you to go and check out the Bishops site, it is very educational. Irrespective of where you find yourself on the issues now, one thing I think we can all agree on is that there is need for comprehensive immigration reform, the SAVE Act does not accomplish that end. I would ask you help in contacting your Representative if their name is on the list, mine (Rep. Lynn Westmoreland) name is on the list and express your disappointment (if you do call Rep. Westmoreland's office, tell them you saw this post on my blog). If they are not on the list, call them and urge them not to sign the discharge petition. If you need to find out who your Representative is you can go here. I would not do this action alert justice but Chris West who works for CRS but is presently working with the USCCB has the following to say. Peace

TAKE ACTION NOW! Click here to find out if your Representative has signed the discharge petition for the Shuler-Tancredo (SAVE Act) bill that would allow the bill to come to the floor for a vote.

• If your Representatives have signed the petition, please contact them and express your disappointment.
• If your Representatives have not signed the petition, please urge them not to.

What does this have to do with my faith? Our faith teaches us to uphold the dignity of every person and to act in solidarity with our brothers and sisters worldwide, especially the poor. The U.S. Catholic Bishops have clearly stated that immigration policy should be designed to enhance and affirm the basic protection of human dignity and human rights.

What is the problem with the Shuler-Tancredo bill? The Shuler-Tancredo bill, H.R. 4088, only addresses issues concerning immigration enforcement and will fail because it does not fix the wider problems with our broken legal immigration system. The U.S. Catholic Bishops believe that, if enacted, this bill will drive undocumented immigrants and their families further underground, creating a hidden society of persons without full rights in their communities. It also would strengthen the operation of unscrupulous smuggling networks that exploit desperate migrants looking for work in the United States.

What is the Church's position on immigration reform? The Catholic Bishops of the United States have repeatedly urged Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform that not only addresses border security and strengthens immigration enforcement but also requires undocumented immigrants to legalize their status and deals with future immigration flows. For more information visit the Justice for Immigrants website

Chrism Mass

(Photo: Michael Alexander, Georgia Bulletin)

It is Tuesday in Holy Week and the tradition in the Archdiocese of Atlanta is to have the Chrism Mass on this day. This year the Archbishop decided to move the priest Lenten day of reflection to today and then have the Chrism Mass at the end of the day. Of course the large meal that the Priest enjoy is moved to after that Mass. It has always been a wonderful day and I am sure this year will be no different. I will try to keep sending some updates during the day from the phone. I will also be taking photos to share with you later. Keep the Archdiocese in your prayers. Paul Turner has a nice piece about the Chrism Mass here. The USCCB has something here. There are article from previous years from the Georgia Bulletin here, here, here. More about Chrism Mass can be found here, here, here, here, and finally a video from last years Chrism Mass from St. Peter's in Rome. Peace

UPDATE: Rocco has a nice post up as well.

Oh my goodness! The Shoud of Turin

This is just too funny. I enjoy the Onion...but it is only for mature audiences. Enjoy

Dog Exercise

Need some easy exercise for your dog? Have a dog that always wants to play? This just might be THE thing you need. Enjoy

Prayers

Well just a note for some more prayers please. My mom called today and said things are going well. Please keep the prayers up for her. Also a parishioner Nancy Barrows is in the hospital with some blood clots. She can't receive visitors and talking on the phone is not a great idea as she needs her rest. So the best thing you can do if you know Nancy is pray for her. I have placed a prayer list on the right side of the blog. So if you need someone to pray for you can find it there (---> --->). Also if you would like someone added to the list just drop me a line. Thanks. Peace.

Font update part II

Sorry for all the posting today. I just had to put one more out there. Today in the narthex we have had at least four people working all day to get the font ready for Saturday. They are doing great work. They have cut fingers, aching backs, and battled fatigued to get this all done. I could not be more proud of this group and all those who have helped get this font to where it is today. Keep them in your prayers as they work, and say an extra prayer of thanksgiving for all the hard work that has been done and will be done before Saturday. Peace.

Font update for March 17, 2008

Okay folks the font is continuing to come along. We cannot wait for the completion. We got a bit set back with the sealant issue. The mosaic is finished now all they have to do it put it in the font and get the little touch ups done. It will come down to the wire but it seems as if it will be done on time and we could not be happier. Here are some photos from the other day when the mosaic was getting finished. More to come as we have it. Enjoy.

St. Patrick's Day was Friday

And the priest we partied. Here are the photos to prove it. Enjoy

Sub-Committee

As some of you might have read (here , here and here) the Archdiocese is looking at long range planning, they formed a committee and then sub-committees. Well guess which one I am on? That is right, Stewardship now titled Discipleship. We meet about twice a month and our work gets combined with the other sub-committees and hopefully we will be planning well for the future of the Archdiocese. Here are some photos from out last meeting. I know it looks pretty low energy but I forgot to get the camera out until late in the meeting. Also since I took the photos so late I missed getting photos of others who were at the meeting, namely Fr. Eric Hill and Fr. Fred Wendel, sorry guys.

FAIL...now with video

FAIL

It was moved, but just in case

St. Patrick's day was moved to last Friday, as most of you know. But just in case you didn't and need a St. Patrick's day song, this is for you. Enjoy

The Last Service

Last Thursday was the last penance service of the Lenten season. It was held at St. Theresa in Douglasville. Lots of sinners and lots of priest so it was a great night all around. It was an unusually light season as far as penitents goes, maybe because Lent came so soon after Advent. Who knows, but it is over. On towards the Chrism Mass (Tuesday at 5pm at the Cathedral) and then Triduum...oh Joy!

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