A SHORT REFLECTION:

You will appreciate that I am preparing this message in the middle of Holy Week as we prepare to celebrate the liturgies of the Sacred Triduum: the three days which lead us into Easter. We begin with the Mass of Chrism in the Cathedral this evening (Wednesday). As the Archbishop blesses the oils, we are reminded that Jesus, having promised that he would be with us always, left us the great signs of his presence: the Seven Sacraments. It will be a privilege to use those oils on Saturday evening at the Vigil, when Andrew, Caroline and Zishan will be baptised and Lauren, Thomas, Andrew, Michelle and Petar will join them in receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please remember them in your prayers.

Prior to the Easter Vigil, we will have recalled the events of Maundy Thursday by celebrating the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and reflecting on the events that followed culminating in Christ’s crucifixion as we gather at 3:00pm on Good Friday for the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord. I always find the time between the end of that ceremony and the Easter Vigil deeply significant. The struggle is over – even perhaps our struggle to get through Lent! Now we can wait in hope as we prepare to rejoice in the Resurrection. You know that I never tire of reminding myself and you that this is the defining mystery of our faith. Without the Resurrection nothing makes sense. I pray that this Easter we will all experience a profound sense of peace, hope and joy. As we enthrone the Paschal (Easter) Candle in our churches, may it inspire us to continue to strive to spread that light amidst the darkness of all that threatens to weigh us down. Accordingly, Fr Andrew and all the Redemptorist Community join me in wishing you and your families:

EVERY BLESSING AND JOY OF EASTER

I approach these few days calm in the knowledge that everything will go smoothly because of the enormous effort that so many of you make to ensure that our churches are resplendent and that the liturgies are celebrated with due reverence. So, thank you to the sacristans, the musicians and singers, those who decorate the churches, the servers and readers and all of you for your constant encouragement and your generosity.  Timothy Buckley, CSsR (Parish Priest)