HOLY THURSDAY : HOLY WEEK 2011.....THE EASTER TRIDUUM BEGINS TONIGHT...........

My last overnight of being required to have a caregiver in the rectory presernt with me, is completed, as volunteer Ted Jansen, has just left, and praise God, despite the challenge of finding adult males willing to spend a night or more with me, the OLOL parishioners, my personal friends, and a caring, conscientious, Eastern Rite Christian, were kind enough to fill 27 out of 33 nights with me since my arrival back into the rectory on March 19.  I am forever grateful for their compassionate and generous assistance.  To Be Continued in a subsequent blog column.....
Today Catholic-Christians transition from Lent to the Easter Triduum, as tonight we celebrate the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper.  Commemorating the Institution of the Sacraments of the Eucharist and the Priesthood of Jesus Christ.  The Last Supper Jesus shared with His Apostles on the night before His Passion and Seath, was a Jewish Passover Meal, that was transformed into the Christian Mass, as the Lord Jesus proclaimed the bread and wine He blessed at the Passover, to be His Body and Blood.  Christ also set a further selfless and generous example for His Disciples and all Believers, by Washing the Feet of the Twelve, and mandating those who Follow Him, to humbly serve others, for "He came to Served, ands not to be served".  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at a special Altar of Repose will occur after tonight's 7 pm Mass of the Lord's Supper until 10 pm.
Last night's final hour of scheduled Confessions before the Easter Triduum, had twenty eight penitents, thus Fr. Pius, Fr. Eduino, and I, heard 64 Easter Confessions from April 15-20.  Sister Felicity has the Church sanctuary fittingly liturgically decorated for the Triduum.  Parishioner Joan Risse, will complete the church Easter decor with the placement of Easter Lilies on Saturday morning.  The Parish Office is open today, but I am going to do my utmost to keep it a low key, less active day, to be fully energized for the next Three Days of extraordinary liturgical activity.  Peace Be With You.  Happy Easter Triduum...........Fr.  Troy