Gesimas and beyond - Rector's Rambling for February 16, 2020

In a big change for the Kelly family, our daughter, Meg, decided that she wanted to go to school rather than continue homeschooling.  She started at Pierce Middle School in January in 8th grade in order to ease the transition to high school next year.  So far things seem to be going pretty well.

One side effect of this change is that now, if we want to take a vacation, we have to do so during school breaks, when things are more expensive and crowded!

This week I am away with Jennifer and Meg visiting family.  This morning we will be attending Mass in Tennessee with my sister-in-law’s family, and then tomorrow we continue driving south to Florida for a few days with my mother, father, and sister.  God willing we will return by next Saturday.

On this page is a wonderful graphic for last week through Holy Week.  Read it from the bottom up and then up from the left, going clockwise.  The Gesima Sundays are a base, a setup for the upcoming observance of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday on February 26.

Included on this chart are the Ember Days (occurring four times a year), when we pray for those discerning and preparing for the ordained ministry, the Sundays in Lent, Passiontide, and Holy Week, culminating with the Sacrum Triduum (the Three Holy Days) of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

I implore you to clear your calendars for the upcoming Sundays.  It is so important for us to ALL be active in the life of the church during Lent in order to encourage one another in our discipline and greater holiness.  Additionally, larger attendance also leads to a more inviting welcome to visitors who will be joining us for worship in the coming weeks.

Also, we will be offering special classes on Sundays at 11:45 AM (at the end of coffee hour) and on Thursday evenings.  And as Lent always includes, there will be extra devotions, such as the Stations of the Cross and Benediction on Fridays at noon, and a variety of them after the Thursday classes.  Check the Lenten Opportunities brochure for more information on the schedule of special worship and classes beginning on March 1.

My hope and prayer for this Pre-Lent and Lent is for a great increase in our devotion and participation!