Message from our liturgy coordinator

Dear ESRCCB Community,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. Took the liberty in creating a list of how we can incorporate observing Catholic traditions at home. I’m sure you have beautiful family traditions in place when observing Holy Week and Easter; however, these are some ideas for your consideration.

Keeping Triduum during Lock Down
The Triduum begins Thursday at dusk; Good Friday and ends with the Easter Vigil on Saturday night. The Greeks had two words to measure time: chronos and kairos. Chronos is time measured by hours and days where as kairos is time measured by the moment of opportunity. Triduum is Kairos. When time stood still or when “The kingdom of God enters into our time” (CCC,1168). You are thinking “I definitely need God to enter my home and bring peace amongst my three rambunctious kids!” (My heart goes out to you and is with you.) Let us create an abundance of Kairos moments with Our Lord. This could be a wonderful opportunity to bring God deeper into our lives as a family and a wonderful distraction from homeschooling and work.

Holy Thursday – Washing of the feet: In John 13, “… Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. …. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.” Jesus asks us to do the same for each other and as Mother Theresa said, “…do all things with great love.” There are several learning points in this scripture to reflect upon: imitating Christ; remaining humble; serve one another…etc. but how about preparing ourselves by imitating Christ and enter the mysteries of the Triduum with bare feet- free from all that binds us and with all our hearts and all our souls we walk with Our Lord as He enters His passion. Please consider reading John 13 and imitate Christ by washing each other’s feet with great love and tenderness.

Good Friday – Venerate the Cross and A Day of Silence: On Good Friday, we venerate the cross and reflect on Christ’s passion – He who was obedient unto death for our salvation. Staying silent with young children is a “Mission Impossible”. Consider taking family walks while pointing out the beauty of God’s creations and His love for us or watch a children’s show on EWTN about Easter. As well as take part in an online mass to observe Good Friday as a family. If you are able, do all activities in silence as well as read, pray, and reflect on His passion.

Holy Saturday Night: The Easter Vigil. I love the Easter Vigil and will miss it so much this year. The church in complete darkness until one by one the Light of Our Lord is passed from person to person. It is so magnificent and I’m usually in tears not in sadness but grateful of the love Our Lord has for us. Please consider attending an online mass and start off in darkness until one by one the light of the candle is passed from family member to family member.

Other activities are: reading scripture as a family; pray the rosary as a family; pray the station of the cross as a family; reflect on your own baptism; write in your journal; read about one of our great saints..etc…… to name a few.

If nothing else, pray. Pray for each other, pray for those that have died isolated from their loved ones; for the medical teams; for our government to make sound decisions; and for the end to the coronavirus.

Thank you so much for taking the time in reading my letter and I hope this serves you well.

Reference: Catholic Catalogue by Melissa Musick and Anna Keating