We Are Getting Ready!

With just three days away, we are getting ready for the great celebration of Easter!

Sister Hope Therese cleaning the "chalice" centerpieces for Holy Thursday Meal

Sister Luke Mary setting up the Repository for Holy Thursday 

Sister Maureen Paul getting that pantry ready!

Getting those Easter eggs ready!

Sister Mary Catherine applying the finishing touch!

Palm Sunday

Chapel before Mass

Novices listening to Gospel reading before procession

Sister Maureen Paul First Reading

Sister Luke Mary as assistant- sacristan

REFLECTION ON HOLY SATURDAY
by Sr. Lois, O.Carm

Jesus in death

Empty Tabernacle

The empty tabernacle is a powerful reminder of the mystery and the glory of our life in Christ .  It invites us to reflect on the question  "what if Jesus had not come?" "What if we were trapped in our sin and failings with no hope of healing?"  We would be deprived of the Resurrection, deprived of the grace of the Holy Spirit to raise us up and give us the strength to be and become the persons God intended us to be.  Today, my prayer is especially for those who are in the tomb with Jesus.  Those who do not know Him or have rejected Him.  Those for whom Jesus has not yet come.  And yet we are all in the tomb in some areas of our lives.  Parts of us are crying out for healing and for resurrection.  We can take comfort in the knowledge that Jesus went into the tomb and is there with us in the dark awaiting the assent of our faith.   "Yes Lord, I believe, help my unbelief" so as to raise us up to live the risen life.  The postulants and myself are devoting extra time in prayer today in preparation for our joyful Easter Vigil service tonight.  Then we will be able to cry out in song and prayer in our hearts "The Lord is Risen! Alleluia!"

GOOD FRIDAY

Deacon Pat from Blessed John the XXIII National Seminary conducted our Good Friday Services in our Holy Family chapel.   The mood was serious and devotional.  You could sense the intensity of prayer among the participants.  After the account of the Lord's Passion was read from the gospel of St. John, Deacon Pat gave a moving reflection on the role of suffering in our lives. When we look on the face of Christ on the cross, and unite our suffering with His, our suffering becomes redemptive in union with Christ's own suffering.  Deacon Pat encouraged us not to be afraid of our suffering but to embrace it, because for the believer, suffering does not end with the cross but along with her Risen Lord, in resurrection.

Deacon Pat, Sr. Maureen in procession and Sr. Brigid

Sisters, Residents and Guests at Good Friday service

Lenten Crucifix

PALM SUNDAY

Palm Sunday signals the beginning of the holiest week of the liturgical year.  Our beautiful liturgical celebration began with the blessing and distribution of palms to our Residents and their families, our Carmelite sisters, and those who joined our worship.  The joyful entrance song reminded us of the crowds welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem, and yet reading the Passion narrative from the Gospel of St. Mark, we have a glimpse of the dark days ahead.  We will journey with Jesus this week during the Easter Triduum celebrations. The commemoration of the Institution of the Eucharist and Holy Priesthood at the Last Supper is celebrated on Holy Thursday. The Passion and Death of Jesus is remembered on Good Friday.  The silence and solitude of Holy Saturday as the whole Christian community awaits in vigil for the joyful event of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.   These events are celebrated in all their richness with our Residents and those who come to our Home.  Journey with us this week as we walk with Jesus to Jerusalem.  Experience His Passion and participate in the joy of His Resurrection.  Our yearly Holy Week services poignantly remind us that our life is a call to enter into the Paschal mystery of dying to self daily only to rise again with Christ in the triumph of the Resurrection!

Sr. Dianna distributes palms before Mass

Sr. Heather distributes palms to resident

Lenten display in front of Altar

Postulants in prayer with Carmelite community at Palm Sunday service

Tabernacle on Palm Sunday