Laetare Sunday - Parishioner Generosity- Father Kevin Louis's Bulletin Column - March 18, 2007
The Entrance Antiphon (Introit) for this Fourth Sunday of Lent – taken from the Prophet Isaiah – joyfully proclaims: “Rejoice, Jerusalem! Be glad for her, you who love her; rejoice with her, you who mourned for her, and you will find contentment at her consoling breasts” (66:10-11). The opening words of this antiphon in Latin – “Laetare, Ierusalem” – give us the alternate name by which this Sunday is known, Laetare Sunday. Thus, while still in our penitential season of Lent, a tone of joyful anticipation of the Easter mystery permeates the Church’s liturgy for this weekend. This hope-filled expectation is also manifested liturgically insofar as the Church allows both the playing of musical instruments and the decoration of the sanctuary with flowers on the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Roman Missal Third Typical Edition). What is more, in place of the customary violet of Lent, the priest is permitted to wear rose-colored vestments (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 346) – rose being the color of joy.
Thanks to a parishioner who wishes to remain anonymous, Saint Peter once again has beautiful rose-colored vestments for the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on this Laetare Sunday (and Gaudete or Third Sunday of Advent, the other Mass at which rose-colored vestments are permitted). This simple and dignified vestment comes to us from Poland where it was made by Veritas Polska. It is inspiring for me as your Pastor to see the many ways your devotion and generosity to the Lord is manifested. In December, after I had celebrated Mass on the Third Sunday of Advent without donning a rose-colored vestment, a parishioner questioned me. I explained that I would gladly have exercised the option of rose, but, much to my surprise, Saint Peter does not have rose-colored vestments. So the parishioner offered on the spot to cover the cost of purchasing the rose-colored vestments. At the same time I was placing that order, another couple of our parish, Larry and Gertie Krutza, approached me about the intinction Communion sets used at Mass at Saint Peter. Besides the three matching sets, a fourth was of a completely different design. This “odd” one could hold only a small number of hosts, its small chalice was very heavy, and the design was most awkward for the reverent distribution of Communion under both species. So, Larry and Gertie offered to pay for the purchase of another intinction Communion set that matches the others. Thank you! These parishioners exemplify what so many of you do in numerous ways – motivated by love of Christ you are attentive to the needs of others and the parish, you propose solutions, and then you generously offer your time, talents and/or money to actually meet the needs! How different that is from our parishioners who simply look for faults and then complain (I’m actually tempted to use a vulgar term that should not be part of a priest’s vocabulary!) about things without offering any alternatives or without being willing to be a part of the solution through the giving of their time, talent or treasure!
Monday, March 19, we celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Virgin Mary, with Masses at 8:00 am and 5:15 pm. Saint Joseph is Patron of the Universal Church. He is also invoked as patron of workers and carpenters. Remember to invoke the intercession of Saint Joseph on behalf of our Holy Father, Benedict XVI – formerly Joseph Ratzinger.
Thursday morning, April 5, Bishop Listecki celebrates the Chrism Mass at our Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman in La Crosse. “The Chrism Mass, which the Bishop concelebrates with his college of priests and at which the Holy Chrism is consecrated and the Oils are blessed, manifests the communion of priests with their Bishop in the same Priesthood and ministry of Christ (Congregation for Divine Worship, Paschales Solemnitatis, 35). Faithful from all parts of the Diocese of La Crosse participate in this Mass at which the Bishop exhorts the priests to fidelity in fulfilling their office in the Church and invites them to renew publicly their commitment to priestly service. The Bishop consecrates the Sacred Chrism and blesses the Oil of the Infirm and the Oil of the Catechumens. The stocks containing the Sacred Chrism and the Holy Oils for use in our parish are filled and brought back to Saint Peter’s. If possible, I encourage you to accompany me to the Chrism Mass. Last year’s trip was such an enjoyable combination of fervent prayer and delightful conversation! Our group included a wide array of parishioners – from little children to seniors, from individuals to couples to entire families! To facilitate your participation, a bus will leave Saint Peter’s parking lot at 7:00 am and return by 4:00 pm. Please call the parish office to register. Nearly ¼ of the available seats have already been spoken for so phone the rectory now to reserve your seat! The cost is $15.00 per person or $25.00 per family, but no one will be turned away because of inability to pay.
Saint Peter, pray for us! Saint Joseph, pray for us!
Father Kevin Louis
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