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From the Rector's Desk

 Dear Friends,

Our Lenten journey is near its end for another year. Next week is Holy Week, which we have all walked through many times before. I want to invite (challenge?) you to walk through Holy week this time with fresh spiritual eyes and ears. Here are some thoughts to spend some time each day entering into its depth day by day.

Palm Sunday - we will begin our service in the hall with blessing of the palms and will walk into church to sing Hosanna! with the crowds who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem. Spend some time with Luke 19:28-40. “If these people were silent, the stones would shout out.’  Truth and goodness will always rise to the surface - eventually.

Holy Monday - spend some time with John 12:1-11. It’s the same reading as last Sunday but read it this time in the context of Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem. “The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” We are surrounded by the fragrance of the Spirit in every situation.

Holy Tuesday - spend some time with John 12:20-36. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit”  There are things in our life which we know need to die. When they do die, much fruit will grow.

Holy Wednesday - spend some time with John 13:21-32. “And it was night.” Reflect on the many tragedies of betrayals and abhorrent intentions which darken our world. Pray for the Ukrainian people right now. Shine some light wherever there is darkness in your small corner of the world.

Maundy Thursday - spend some time with John 13:1-17. “So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” Bishop Anna will be with us as we commemorate the Last Supper. We gather in the hall at 5:00 p.m. for a simple meal, foot washing, and Eucharist with a difference! Consider allowing your feet to have water poured over them and dried; and then doing the same to someone else. It is a moving experience which puts our regular eucharistic gatherings into a new light!

Good Friday - join us at church at 11:00 a.m. as we walk the Stations of the Cross depicted in a set of prints of stark paintings by Jacques Tissot, with poignant meditations at each station written by Pope John Paul II. 

Holy Saturday - spend time with John 19:38-42. ‘The tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.' Be quiet in the silence of the empty cross and sealed tomb. At times there is nothing else to do than be quiet and wait with faith.

Easter Sunday - join us as we throw off the solemnity of Lent and enter the joyous season of Resurrection! May this be a time of great consolation and encouragement for you.

With every blessing,
Alan  

  & GOODIES ARE BACK THIS SUNDAY!        

AN EASTER LETTER from Rev. Alan and a Discerning the Heart of St. Mary Parish Survey is attached for your review.  There will copies available in the bulletin this Sunday.  

HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES . . .

... and EASTER SATURDAY CHURCH DECORATING will be on April 16 starting at 10am

OUR READERS ROSTER NEEDS SOME ATTENTION. . . Many, many thanks for those who signed up. Please sign up for the NEW roster at the entrance of the church.  

             ...and we need just a FEW MORE SIDESPEOPLE, PLEASE....

This ministry requires almost no training.  What a great way to get to know our parishioners better.  Please call or email Pat N for more information.    

MEET ST. MARY’S NEWEST PARISHIONER

Stefan and Anastasiia are the proud parents of Athena Cornelia, born March 18, 2022.  Mihai is a very proud grandpa! 

                 

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