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Why does the date of Easter change every year, while most other celebrations are celebrated on the same day?
Every feast is celebrated at a certain time for a reason. Saints feast days are commonly the day of their death. While we don't know Jesus' exact birthday, we celebrate the "light of the world" around the time of winter solstice, as dark, wintery days begin to lengthen again. We have a historical clue, however, to when the Easter events occurred. We know that Jesus was crucified the day before Passover. The Jews calculated the date for Passover based on both the solar and lunar calendars. It corresponds to the first full moon after the spring equinox. The early Christians maintained this connection in their celebrations of Easter on the first Sunday after the paschal full moon. We don't re-calculate the full moon every year. As astronomy developed, so too did the forecasts of when Easter would occur in future years. The Church has created a table of calculated dates, projecting the date of Easter decades in advance. The date of Easter also determines the date of Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent, as well as the feast days following in the Easter season, including Pentecost. So these feasts move, too! This tradition may seem complicated, but it connects our Christian faith now to what has come before - our Jewish roots and the real, historical reality of Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection. Calendar of events: April 24-all grades meet; Divine Mercy service. Gr 6-11; 7pm April 26- Short video after mass; The Virgin Mary’s Struggles; 7 min.; in Padua Center April 28-1st Communion Mass at IC; 8am April 28-Last Sunday School of the school year May 1-last RE classes May 12-Confirmation Mass at SA; 9:30a May 19-Bacculaurette Mass at SA; 9:30a What a caterpillar calls the end of the world, God calls a butterfly.
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Hosanna to the Messiah!
While Jesus would not be crowned an earthly king, Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem has many parallels to the Messianic expectations of the Hebrew people. Before entering, Jesus requisitions a donkey from its owner. In the ancient world, kings had this right. Yet the animal that Jesus requests is rare -- a colt upon which no one else has sat yet. Yet, it's a donkey. This is no great war-charger, no magnificent animal. Jesus acts with all the authority of an earthly king, yet his kingdom is one of simplicity and peace. As the disciples throw cloaks over the donkey, the crowd spreads theirs on the road. This ancient gesture dates back to the line of kings descended from David. Not only are these physical kingly gestures, but the crowd of followers cries out in jubilation and praise. The Messiah has come to Jerusalem! TOTUS TUUS 2019 REGISTRATION FORMS are available at the entrances of the church, on the parish website, and at the parish office. Calendar of events: April 17- gr K-9 meet HOLY WEEK: see “Lenten Schedule” April 24-all grades meet; Divine Mercy service. Gr 6-11; 7pm April 26- Short video after mass; The Virgin Mary’s Struggles; 7 min.; in Padua Center April 28-1st Communion Mass at IC; 8am May 1-last RE classes May 12-Confirmation Mass at SA; 9:30a May 19-Bacculaurette Mass at SA; 9:30a It’s not about the bunny—It’s about the Lamb LIVE THE LITURGY
We are all sinners, and we all need mercy. If met with sincerity and true repentance of heart, an encounter with God's unconditional and all-forgiving love will lead to true conversion and a new life of grace. There is no point to condemnation or excessive punishment. We do not need to wag fingers or make people feel inferior. Jesus met the woman caught in adultery with compassion. He did not condemn her. People have not always been faithful to God. We have not always been faithful to God. Yet, God waits for us to return and trusts that His seeds of forgiveness and mercy will take root. We do not know if the woman left Jesus and sinned no more. It's not important. Calendar of events: April 10-all grades meet; Reconciliation for gr 6-11 & parish at 7pm April 14-Palm Sunday April 17- gr K-9 meet HOLY WEEK: see “Lenten Schedule” Kwik Trip has discontinued the Milk Moola program resulting in udder sadness for all involved. No need to be saving caps and labels. What is holy water and how do I explain the reason that it is placed at the entrances of churches to my non-Catholic friends?
Holy water is a sacramental, a reminder of the life of the Church expressed and celebrated through the sacraments. God's grace is mediated through word and gesture (the outward signs). This comes to us through Jesus (instituted by Christ) as he entrusts to the Church his saving mission (to give grace). In turn the Church, through the sacraments, shares that grace and mission with us. On Ash Wednesday, we receive ashes on our foreheads to remind us of our origins, humbly created from the dust. But by blessing ourselves with holy water, we are reminded of our destiny! We are baptized sons and daughters of God. This is also a call to conversion, to live more fully our baptismal call to live as disciples of Jesus. We see holy water whenever we renew our baptismal promises. This will occur during the Easter liturgy as well, reminding us that we are indeed on a journey of faith and renewed in Christ. Blessing ourselves with holy water reminds us that we are baptized into a community faith, and always in need of turning from sin and toward God. Holy water is a visible sign of our baptism! Calendar of events: April 3-gr K-9; gr 2-5 have reconciliation; gr 6-9 Stations of the Cross April 6-1st Eucharist Retreat for 2nd graders at IC, 8:30-11:30am April 10-all grades meet; Reconciliation for gr 6-11 & parish at 7pm Tweet others as you want to be tweeted. Fast for Lent
A man who had been away from the Church for some time came into the confessional on Ash Wednesday. The man professed, “Father, for Lent, I’m going to pray a whole bunch and I’m going do that thing where you give up food in between meals. The priest responded, “You’re going to fast?” The man started again, “I’m... going... to... do... that... thing... Calendar of events: Mar 27-gr K-9 meet Mar 29-short video after mass-The Significance of Ash Wednesday; 7 min. April 3-gr K-9; gr 2-5 have reconciliation; gr 6-9 Stations of the Cross April 6-1st Eucharist Retreat for 2nd graders at IC, 8:30-11:30am April 10-all grades meet; Reconciliation for gr 6-11 & parish at 7pm Prayer is like wireless access to God-with no roaming fees. It was the third Friday of Lent when a faithful parishioner stumbled through pouring rain past hamburger huts and steak houses into the monastery at Mount Angel and requested shelter. He was just in time for dinner and was treated to the best fish and chips he’d ever had. After dinner, he went into the kitchen to thank the chefs. He was met by two brothers who introduced themselves, “Hello, I’m Brother Michael, and this is Brother Francis.” “I’m very pleased to meet you. I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful dinner. The fish and chips were the best I’ve ever tasted. Out of curiosity, who cooked what?” Brother Michael replies, “Well, I’m the fish friar.” The man turns to Brother Francis and says, “Then you must be...” “Yes, I’m afraid I’m the chip monk.”
Calendar of events: Mar 20-all grades meet Mar 27-gr K-9 meet Mar 29-short video after mass-The Significance of Ash Wednesday; 7 min. April 3-gr K-9; gr 2-5 have reconciliation; gr 6-9 Stations of the Cross Let today be the day you give up who you’ve been for who you can become. Meet our Confirmation Students!
This week: Owen Miesbauer Owen Miesbauer, 10th grade, 15 years old. My dad’s name is Craig, my mom is Dana, and my brother is Aiden. I am in cross-country and wrestling. My parents are making me get confirmed. I have not fully found out what my faith means to me, but I hope confirmation will help. St. Louise de Marillac God calls us in every stage of life. This week is the feast of Louise de Marillac. As a young girl, she felt called to the religious life. However, she received advice to marry instead. Her husband died 12 years into their marriage. In the wake of her husband’s death, she met St. Vincent de Paul. She was greatly inspired by his work with the poor, and he became her spiritual director. She began a training center out of her own home to train other young woman to serve the poor and sick. This became the Sisters of Charity. The religious order began to grow, as slowly more sisters joined to work in hospitals and orphanages across France. The Sisters of Charity now serve worldwide. When your life takes an unexpected turn, consider where God might be calling you! Calendar of events: Mar 13-gr K-9 meet Mar 20-all grades meet Mar 27-gr K-9 meet Mar 29-short video after mass-The Significance of Ash Wednesday; 7 min. ~LENT-not just for bellybuttons~ Meet our Confirmation Students!
This week: Hannah Litwaitis Hello, my name is Hannah Elizabeth Litwaitis. I am 15 years old and in 10th grade. My parents are Jeff and Nikki Litwaitis. I have 1 sister named Emma Litwaitis. My favorite activities are going camping and swimming, and during the school year I am involved in volleyball and band. The reason I want to be confirmed is because the sacraments are very important to me as I go through my high school years and into my adult life. What my Catholic faith means to me is, I will always have the power of prayer to help me through tough situations in my life and knowing God is watching over me at all times. I see myself sharing the faith in the future by, attending mass and helping others with their religion. An Ash Wednesday Prayer "Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust." You remind us today, oh Lord, of our origin and end. In the beginning, You fashioned us in the Garden. You dignified dust with the Breath of Life. You made us in Your image and likeness. You led Your people through the dust of the Sinai wilderness to the Promised Land. You overcame temptation in the dry desert. You healed the blind with dirt and clay. Three times Your body stirred the dust as you fell on the road to Calvary. Hear the cry of Your people! One day we will return to dust. This Lenten season, stir our minds to contemplate You, our hearts to love You, and our bodies to serve You in our brothers and sisters. May our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving be Your breath alive in us. Amen. Calendar of Events: Mar 6 - Ash Wednesday 4:10pm= prayer service gr K-5-dismissed at 5pm 7pm = Mass for 6-11 & parish *Students will be dismissed after Mass Mar 13 - gr K-9 meet Mar 20 - all grades meet Meet our Confirmation Students!
This week: Benjamin My name is Benjamin, I am 16 years old and I am in 10th grade. My parents are Aimee Pritzl and Patrick Pritzl. I also have two older sisters Liz and Katie. I have participated in many sports like Basketball and Cross Country. If there were any arts that I was in it is only shop classes and building classes. Any academics that I do are only robot competitions for Vex robots. Milk Moola caps and bag tops from Kwik Trip can be dropped off in the box at the playground entrance. Religious Education receives 5¢ for each item. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6, 2019. Think: Prayer, Fasting, Alms Giving Calendar of Events: Feb 27-grades K-9 meet Mar 3-1st Communion Commitment Mass, 9:30am Mar 6-Ash Wednesday Mar 6-all grades meet Why don’t cows dance? They lack toes. Meet our Confirmation Students!
This week: Anna Wagner My name is Anna Wagner and I’m a 15 year-old in tenth grade. I have eight siblings named: Danny, Michelle, Liz, Katie, Noah, Emma, Leah, and Grace. My parents are Cindy and Dan Wagner, and I’m in band and track. My parents wants me to be confirmed so I have the choice to be married in the Catholic church. My Catholic Faith means that I have the freedom to speak to God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit or say a “Hail Mary” whenever I feel the need to. I see myself sharing my faith by inviting my friends to go to a church service with me. February 17th is Random Act of Kindness Day! Here are some ideas to surprise those around you. • Going through a drive-thru? Pay for the order of the person behind you. • Send a handwritten note to a family member or old friend. • Invite your neighbors over for appetizers, or bring them a sweet treat. • Complete a task your spouse has been bugging you about for months. • Offer a loved one a foot or back massage. • Bring your family’s furry friend to visit a local nursing home. • Buy $5 coffee shop gift cards for your children’s teachers. • Invite your parish priest over for dinner. • Bring a bag of groceries to a family in need. Calendar of events Feb 20-grades K-8 meet**this is a change from the original calendar Feb 22-10 min. video after mass: “Preparing for Lent” Feb 27-grades K-9 meet Mar 3-1st Communion Commitment Mass, 9:30am Mar 6-Ash Wednesday Mar 6-all grades meet Dear Child of Mine, Trust me. I have everything under control. ~Jesus |
