The Bishop’s Note
Passion Sunday has arrived and now we are about to begin the busiest time of the year here at church. We often call it the Holy Week tunnel because once you enter, there is no turning back; there are no exits. Everything focuses on the ceremonies; our minds concentrate on the single most important event in the history of the world: the Redemption and the Resurrection. I pray that the world does not distract you with its nonsense.
Speaking of nonsense, Black Cat’s injury turned out to have been pretty bad. He ended up going to the vet for an-other minor procedure—the second one this year. I guess he keeps getting into fights outside. Clearly, he won’t be winning any top fighter awards anytime soon. We have to keep him inside for a while so his wound doesn’t get infected, but he is recovering quite well and quickly.
Masses on St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day were both really well attended. We had so many people on St. Joseph’s Day that we ran out of blessed Hot Cross Buns. Everyone loves the Hot Cross Buns! One boy, though, likes the raisins the most, and once they’re all gone he has no use for the rest. Another child said how much she likes the cross! (Oh, if only we all learned to love the cross.) Okay, so she really meant that she liked the frosting. But one person said about the cross on the hot cross buns: it is sweet and light, just as the cross is. We would do well to remember that!
While Fr. McKenna and I were visiting with Bishop Selway (who was in town on a separate business trip), Fr. Brueggemann said Mass and gave a talk to the Knights of St. Martin. The subject of discussion: the New vs. the Old Holy Week. This is an important topic today since the ’55 Holy Week was, as Msgr. Bugnini himself admitted, a bridge to the New Mass. This is why we follow the pre-’55 Holy Week here at SGG. For us, it isn’t a matter of taste, it is a matter of principle.
Fr. Lehtoranta is at St. Hugh of Lincoln for the week-end. Frs. Simpson and Brueggemann took care of the Altar Boy Day yesterday and are helping me to run things today. Parents, don’t forget that the Children’s Day of Recollection is this Wednesday, the feast of the Annunciation. Friday is the feast of the Sorrowful Mother. This leads us into Palm Sunday and Holy Week. Are you ready?! It is a busy time, but one which is full of graces.
Let us pray for one another that we profit from this sacred season!
– Bishop McGuire