ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA CHURCH
Easter Message

P. O. BOX 70
SHELBURNE, VT  05482

TELEPHONE:
802-985-2372
www.SlelburneCatholic.org
info@ShelburneCatholic.org

March 14

Dear Parishioners & Friends of St. Catherine of Siena Parish:

Our Lenten theme this year has been "Our Journey to Joy - Following in the Footsteps of Jesus." Deacon Ivan Hawk provided us with a wonderful Lenten beginning with our parish retreat. His reflections were truly moments of inspiration for all of us.

As we continue our Lenten pilgrimage the Paschal Triduum approches. The Paschal Triduum - Holy
Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil - together comprise our greatest feast. The Triduum is to the whole Church year what Sunday is to the week. The Triduum is the worship event of the year. It's baseball's opening day, it's Christmas at Rockefeller Center, it's the Oscars, the Super Bowl, the Indianapolis 500, and the Boston Marathon all rolled into one. We gather in this three-day liturgy to celebrate Christ's triumph over the forces of destruction and death, and our calling to be a force for life and love and goodness.

Your parish, pastor, and parishioners will provide the opportunity for you to respond to the Lord's invitation "Come away and pray with me". The response is up to you. The rewards are "out of this world"!

Palm Sunday - Palms will be distributed and blessed at all Masses on March 19-20, Saturday, 5:15 PM, (Folk Group will sing at this Mass) Sunday - 8:30 AM, and 10:00 AM, (Choir will sing at this Mass).

Holy Thursday - March 24, at 7:00 PM - Solemn Celebration of the Lord's Supper. "Night Watch" is observed from after Mass until 11:00 PM in the rectory. Volunteers can sign up after weekend masses.

Good Friday - March 25, 2 PM - Stations of the Cross and Meditation. 7:00 PM - Celebration of the Passion and death of the Lord Jesus. The reading of the Passion with Songs by the Choir, Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion are part of this celebration.

Holy Saturday - March 26, 7:00 PM - The Easter Vigil. This is by far the most beautiful service of the Church Year. This is a time of great joy for our parish! However, the lateness of the hour and the length of the service (1 1/2 hrs) would probably be difficult for babies and very young children. Please note - There is NO 5:15 pm Mass on this day.

Easter Sunday - March 27 - Masses - 8:30 AM, and 10:00 AM, (Choir will sing).

Penitential Service with Confessions (Several priests present)
Wednesday, March 16, 7:00 PM - I H M, Williston.
Sunday, March 20, 7:00 PM - St. John Vianney, South Burlington.

Confessions at St. Catherine's
Saturday, March 19, 4:00 - 4:45 PM
Wednesday, March 23, after the 9:00 AM Mass until 11:00 AM.
Holy Thursday, March 24 - after the 7:00 PM Mass.
Good Friday, March 25 - after both Services.
Confessions on Holy Saturday March 26 - by appointment only.

It seems that for all of us it is much easier to be with Christ in the joyous times of his life - his birth at Christmas, his entrance into the city on Palm Sunday and his resurrection on Easter. But we also need to be with Christ in his painful times. I challenge everyone this year to show their love and appreciation to Christ for what He has done for us. If one absolutely cannot be present for both evening services on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, please make it a priority to be present at least on one evening. The rewards are many including greater peace of mind and heart!

"He is risen" that through Him we may recover faith in ourselves, in our world, in our God.
"He is risen" that in Him we may rekindle hope for the abandoned, for the despairing, for the dreamless.
"He is risen" that with him we may restore love to those from whom we have kept it, to those who are
most near us, to those we will never meet.
"He is risen"
(A Christopher Prayer)

To all parishioners, friends and their families, may you all have the joy and blessings of this new Easter Season! Alleluia!

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr, Leo J. Bilodeau