From the Rector: Holy Week Thanks

What a superb Holy Week we celebrated! I want to thank everyone for their hard work. The acolytes, musicians, ushers, worship guilds, and kitchen crew truly outdid themselves, and it showed. It was also wonderful to celebrate the week with the full ceremonial we had enjoyed before the pandemic. Now we may enjoy the full 50 days of Easter.

This Monday is the Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist, our patron saint. I hope you are able to join us for the Solemn Mass at 6:15 pm. Dinner will follow in the Parish Hall, and the choir will sing. This feast often comes right on the heels of Holy Week, and thus it is tempting to observe the day with minimal solemnity. As well, feast days during Easter must be observed on their actual days and cannot be transferred to the Sunday after. Tradition states that Saint Mark was martyred, and martyr days are particularly well-observed during Eastertide due to the principal theme of resurrection.

Before Monday's great feast, however, we have the Second Sunday of Easter, often referred to as Saint Thomas Sunday. We will hear Saint John's Gospel of the disciples gathered on the evening of Easter Day, and Jesus appears to them offering his peace and forgiveness. We are reminded that the new life that Jesus brings to all of us is frequently conjoined with the forgiveness of sins. Abundant forgiveness is one of the great gifts of our Lord's resurrection.

Happy Easter,
Father Paul Lillie+