From the Office of Readings for Holy Saturday:
Something strange is happening—there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.
He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: ‘My Lord be with you all.’ Christ answered him: ‘And with your spirit.’ He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: ‘Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.’
I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated.
For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.
See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.
I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.
Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Prayer for Second Day of Divine Mercy Novena
Divine Mercy Novena - Second Day - Prayer for Second Day of Divine Mercy Novena
Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard—upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.
Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard—upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Prayer for First Day of Divine Mercy Novena
Divine Mercy Novena - First Day - Prayer for First Day of Divine Mercy Novena
Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.
Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet - Novena Begins Tomorrow!
How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet - Chaplet of the Divine Mercy
The Chaplet is prayed on a regular Rosary.
Here's How:
1. Make the Sign of the Cross
2. Pray the Opening Prayers
"You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us."
"O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!" (three times)
3. Pray the Our Father
4. Pray the Hail Mary
5. Say the Apostles' Creed
6. On the "Our Father" Beads, Pray the Prayer "Eternal Father"
"Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. Amen."
7. On the "Hail Mary" beads, Pray the Prayer "For the Sake of His Sorrowful Passion" Ten Times
"For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."
Repeat Steps 6 and 7
On each of the next four decades of the Chaplet, repeat steps 6 and 7 (pray the Eternal Father, followed by ten "For the Sake of His Sorrowful Passion").
8. Pray the Concluding Doxology Three Times
"Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world." (three times)
9. Pray the Closing Prayer
"Eternal God, in Whom mercy is endless, and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us, and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments, we might not despair, nor become despondent, but with great confidence, submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy Itself. Amen."
The Chaplet is prayed on a regular Rosary.
Here's How:
1. Make the Sign of the Cross
2. Pray the Opening Prayers
"You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us."
"O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!" (three times)
3. Pray the Our Father
4. Pray the Hail Mary
5. Say the Apostles' Creed
6. On the "Our Father" Beads, Pray the Prayer "Eternal Father"
"Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. Amen."
7. On the "Hail Mary" beads, Pray the Prayer "For the Sake of His Sorrowful Passion" Ten Times
"For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world."
Repeat Steps 6 and 7
On each of the next four decades of the Chaplet, repeat steps 6 and 7 (pray the Eternal Father, followed by ten "For the Sake of His Sorrowful Passion").
8. Pray the Concluding Doxology Three Times
"Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world." (three times)
9. Pray the Closing Prayer
"Eternal God, in Whom mercy is endless, and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us, and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments, we might not despair, nor become despondent, but with great confidence, submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy Itself. Amen."
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Palm Sunday
Dear Parishioners,
Here we are in Holy Week already. That does not mean, however, that our Lenten journeys are finished, but now they grow more intense - more intense in prayer and fasting most especially. This week's liturgies have a pride of place in the Church and in my heart - how blessed are they. We gather, recalling the model of loving service of Jesus Christ in washing the feet of the disciples and giving Himself as the Bread of Life and the Blood of Salvation. We continue on Good Friday, coming to the foot of the cross and adoring the Lord who was crucified for our salvation. We gather in the darkness of night, recalling the night that sin and death lost to the Glory of the Resurrection… Certainly these are holy days. Please make every effort to keep them!
As part of that, there are only days left for participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We have a communal penance service on Sunday, March 24 at 1 at OLV and at 2:30 at St. Anne's. There will be private confessions Monday 5:30-6:25 pm at St. Anne's, Tuesday at 7:30 am at OLV, Wednesday at 7:30 am at St. Anne's, and Thursday at noon at St. Anne's. Please do not wait until the last minute, and do not delay. Do not worry if it has been a while, either. Be reconciled to God, and don't delay!
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Here we are in Holy Week already. That does not mean, however, that our Lenten journeys are finished, but now they grow more intense - more intense in prayer and fasting most especially. This week's liturgies have a pride of place in the Church and in my heart - how blessed are they. We gather, recalling the model of loving service of Jesus Christ in washing the feet of the disciples and giving Himself as the Bread of Life and the Blood of Salvation. We continue on Good Friday, coming to the foot of the cross and adoring the Lord who was crucified for our salvation. We gather in the darkness of night, recalling the night that sin and death lost to the Glory of the Resurrection… Certainly these are holy days. Please make every effort to keep them!
As part of that, there are only days left for participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We have a communal penance service on Sunday, March 24 at 1 at OLV and at 2:30 at St. Anne's. There will be private confessions Monday 5:30-6:25 pm at St. Anne's, Tuesday at 7:30 am at OLV, Wednesday at 7:30 am at St. Anne's, and Thursday at noon at St. Anne's. Please do not wait until the last minute, and do not delay. Do not worry if it has been a while, either. Be reconciled to God, and don't delay!
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Cogratulations to Audrey Prokosch
Last night at the Bishop Lucker Lecture, Audrey Prokosch was given the Diocesan Distinguished Service award, along with 5 others. Congratulations, Audrey, and thank you! See page 5 for more information!
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Pastor's Notes for March 10
Dear Parishioners,
Our sympathy to the family and friends of Agnes Ousky and Kevin Albu. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.
Our Lenten journey is almost ½ done. We should take this weekend to reflect on whether we have been a little more prepared. If yes, we are encouraged to keep going, knowing we are almost done. If not, we are encouraged to start, knowing that we still have half of Lent!
With this in mind, I want to remind you again of two great opportunities. First, Deacon Paul Treinen from Ortonville will be speaking this Sunday, March 10, at 7 pm at St. Anne's on forgiveness. There are a lot of misconceptions about what forgiveness entails and demands, and I am certain that Deacon Paul will cut through that. Also, we have a great opportunity to be assured of God's forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Especially if it has been a while, treat yourself to receiving it. Don't worry if it has been a while, or if you forgot, or anything else. These are only excuses that Satan uses to keep people in his clutches. Christ is calling us to be reconciled to Him, and He offers His forgiveness freely.
Thank you to all that made last Sunday's Adoration what it was. It was good to see so many coming and going throughout the afternoon. Our Lord waits for us to come to Him!
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
Our sympathy to the family and friends of Agnes Ousky and Kevin Albu. May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.
Our Lenten journey is almost ½ done. We should take this weekend to reflect on whether we have been a little more prepared. If yes, we are encouraged to keep going, knowing we are almost done. If not, we are encouraged to start, knowing that we still have half of Lent!
With this in mind, I want to remind you again of two great opportunities. First, Deacon Paul Treinen from Ortonville will be speaking this Sunday, March 10, at 7 pm at St. Anne's on forgiveness. There are a lot of misconceptions about what forgiveness entails and demands, and I am certain that Deacon Paul will cut through that. Also, we have a great opportunity to be assured of God's forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Especially if it has been a while, treat yourself to receiving it. Don't worry if it has been a while, or if you forgot, or anything else. These are only excuses that Satan uses to keep people in his clutches. Christ is calling us to be reconciled to Him, and He offers His forgiveness freely.
Thank you to all that made last Sunday's Adoration what it was. It was good to see so many coming and going throughout the afternoon. Our Lord waits for us to come to Him!
In Christ,
Fr. Todd
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