Alleluia, Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia!
What a wonderful Holy Week and Easter we had together this year! I want to thank everyone who worked so hard. Thanks are due to the musicians, altar guild, acolytes, ushers, live-streamers, cooks, candle guild, cleaners, and hospitality crews. Holy Week is a community effort, requiring many people in multiple roles.
My favorite liturgy of the week was the Great Vigil of Easter, as in all my years at St. Mark's, this liturgy was the highlight this year. I am also grateful to those who helped with the Tenebrae liturgies, as these were done on a greater scale this year. We had a surprisingly good attendance at all three Tenebraes, and they did not detract from the main liturgies of the Triduum. We also had faithful gatherings for the noontime Sung Masses on Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, and Holy Wednesday.
I also must thank everyone who volunteered to run our worship live-stream. Because new equipment was installed at the beginning of Holy Week, several people had to learn new technology fairly fast before each liturgy. Such last minute training is not ideal, but nevertheless, everyone was patient and accommodating.
The receptions after the Easter Vigil and Easter Day Solemn Mass were magnificent. There was such a grand variety of dishes, and people stayed for a long time after each mass, visiting with each other. Even better, the clean-up was quick and efficient, because so many people helped out.
After the Solemn Mass on Easter Day, we had a fun little Easter Egg hunt for the children on the lawn. The weather cooperated thankfully, and we could be outside. Each child went home with a good catch, and the parents seemed very happy. Thanks are due to the parishioners who provided the eggs and candy, as well as to those who prepared the egg hunt.
We are very fortunate to have such a robust Holy Week observance. Many churches do not have these special services, even on Good Friday, and it is increasingly rare to find churches that celebrate the greatest feast of the year - the Easter Vigil. I know that it is a lot of work for everyone who is involved; it is a lot of work for me too. That being said, can you imagine not doing Holy Week?
Easter continues for 50 days until the Feast of Pentecost. The Lord is risen indeed, and we have so many reasons to be grateful at St. Mark's. Many thanks to each and every one of you for such a beautiful and meaningful Holy Week and Easter.
Father Paul Lillie +
