Hello Faith Formation Families!
Last week's Flocknote was all about Palm Sunday, the day we remember both Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem and his death on the cross.
Today begins the Holy Triduum, the church's most important holy days, so this little Flocknote has a little information about those days, plus an Easter craft and CLOW video.
"Holy Triduum and Easter Sunday"
Family Lesson #28
Today is the first of three holy days called the Holy Triduum (pronounced "TRID-you-um" or "TRID-oo-um").
Holy Thursday
On Holy Thursday, we remember the Last Supper in a special way. Before Jesus and the Apostles began their meal together, Jesus did an incredible, unexpected service for them. He was their teacher, master, and Lord, but he tied a towel around his waist and washed their feet! What lesson is Jesus teaching with this action?
He teaches us that we are ALL servants of each other, even Jesus Himself!
Those Corporal Works of Mercy we've been learning about all year... even here, in His last moments, Jesus is serving others and reminding his Apostles to do the same.
The highlight of Holy Thursday Mass each year is the washing of feet. Father, like Jesus, removes his chasuble (that's the big vestment that goes over the rest), and washes the feet of several people. Since his first Holy Thursday as pope, Pope Francis has chosen to go out to prisons, refugee camps, and hospitals to wash people's feet, reminding us that Jesus asked us to care for "the least of my brothers and sisters."
(Of course, with Covid still being a factor, the washing of feet will be a little different this year!)
Good Friday
Good Friday is the second day of the Holy Triduum. On this day, we remember in a special way Jesus's crucifixion and death on the cross. Jesus gave all he had for us, even His life! If you go to church on Good Friday, you'll participate in three movements: Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross, and Communion. The Liturgy of the Word is just like every time we come to church, with the three readings and Psalm response, but the gospel is the long, detailed story of Jesus's journey to the cross, crucifixion, death, and burial.
"Venerate" means to show respect and love. The Veneration of the Cross is when we have an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for us when he died on the cross.
This year, we will remain in our seats while a cross is displayed at the front of church. During a non-Covid year, people may come forward to touch or kiss the cross and thank Jesus for his gift.
The last movement of Good Friday services is Communion. We do not have Mass on Good Friday, which means the bread and wine are not changed into Jesus's Body and Blood on this day. Instead, extra Communion is blessed at Holy Thursday Mass and kept in the tabernacle for use on Good Friday. We leave church in respectful silence after Communion, remembering the amazing sacrifice of Jesus on Good Friday.
Holy Saturday
Do you remember how we always say that Jesus is the light of the world? Well, that's what Holy Saturday Mass is all about! This Mass is called Easter Vigil. It begins at sundown on Holy Saturday, and it's the first Easter Mass of the year, but it's chock-full of awesome extras that don't happen at any other Mass during the year! And this year is even more awesome, because at Blessed Sacrament, the whole thing is going to be outside! Here are the "awesome extras:"
1. Blessing of the Fire! Jesus is the light of the world, so we light a fire in a firepit and bless it!
2. Blessing and Lighting of the Easter Candle! Do you know that really tall, thick candle next to the baptismal font? It's called the Easter Candle, or Paschal candle, and it's lit during every Mass of the Easter season, and baptisms and funerals throughout the year. We get a new one every year, and it's first blessed and lit (from the blessed fire in the firepit) at the Easter Vigil Mass.
3. Lots of readings instead of just three! The readings for Easter Vigil tell the story of how God saves His people over and over again, from the Creation story to the parting of the Red Sea to the Resurrection!
4. The Alleluia is back! During Lent, we don't sing Alleluia before the gospels, but Easter Vigil marks the return of the joyful Alleluia!
5. Baptisms and Confirmations! Throughout the year, adults who would like to become Catholic learn about the Catholic faith, and they are baptized (if they haven't been already) and confirmed at Easter Vigil!
Easter Sunday
Jesus is risen! Alleluia! Easter Sunday begins the 50 days of the Easter season! It is often said that "we are an Easter people," which means that Christians are constantly celebrating and remembering in their hearts the resurrection of Jesus! Celebrate Him with joy today and every day!
Looking for a fun Easter craft? Try this stand-up Easter cross from Catholic Icing!
How about a little Easter Children's Liturgy of the Word to finish off our Triduum & Easter Flocknote?
Have you signed up for our Easter Egg Hunt yet? Bring your kids, cousins, friends, and neighbors for the fun on Sunday, April 11 following 11:00am Mass.
You can participate in three different ways:
1.Donate Pre-Wrapped Candy
2.Donate Plastic Fillable Eggs
3.COME AND HUNT FOR EGGS!
Please drop off the candy and the eggs in the Faith Formation Office by
Monday, April 5.
