April 5, 2020 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
April 12, 2020
Our Lady of Grace and Saint Bernard Parish FATHER DAVE’S DESK
Happy Easter! One of my favorite secular stories about Easter comes from an exchange between a father and his three year old daughter. A few weeks before Easter, her daddy took her to the mall for a new pair of shoes. As they walked through the mall, she said, “Daddy, I can’t wait for Easter!” Her dad responded, “But honey, do you know what Easter means?” The lile girl replied, “Yes.” “What does Easter mean?” said the father. In her own sweet way with a beaming smile on her face and at the top of the voice, she said, “Surprise!” What a powerful word to capture the mystery we celebrate today, “surprise!” Surprise death! Surprise sin! Surprise suffering! Surprise mourning disciples! Surprise humanity! Jesus is alive! He is risen! The gospel today, from John 20:1R9 is something you might want to read as Grace before your Easter meal. What a sur- prise it was for Mary of Magdalene to see that the stone had been removed from the tomb. The “other disciple” arrives at the tomb and sees the burial cloths but does not enter. Simon Peter then arrives and enters the tomb and sees the burial cloths but not Jesus. What a surprise! As the story unfolds they will come to know and understand that what suffering and death did to Jesus is nothing compared to what he did to it. Normally it would be our custom to celebrate this Good News by coming to church to celebrate Holy Mass together. We would rejoice in the Easter light found in the newly blessed paschal candle. We would be blessed with the Easter water and celebrate the bapsm of people into the faith. And we ourselves would renew our own bapsm in which we re- nounced sin and professed faith. And, most of all, upon hearing the Good News we would receive our Lord Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and then go home to celebrate with family and friends throughout the Octave and into the Easter season. But as you know this is not a normal me. The shock of the Coronavirus Pandemic has riveted the enre world and put so many of our lives and livelihoods on hold. What typically is a me to come together finds us all in a forced retreat from the world. “Easter is a shot in the arm that engenders a new excitement and vigor for the faith.”
Let’s go back to the gospel. That first Easter was not about crowds but about a handful of people with strong faith. They saw and believed. My brothers and sisters, we cannot allow the shock of the Pandemic to douse the surprise of Easter. We cannot allow fear to win out over faith. There is a commonly used phrase uered frequently at this me, namely, “Easter Faith.” While we may all in some way feel so helpless and hopeless, we need to exude “Easter Faith.” This is a faith that trusts that suffering and death does not have the last word. Easter reminds us that the final word is “Life.” Even though we are unable to see this “life” of grace in our churches right now due to the Pandemic, God connues to work in each and every one of us. What this Pandemic has done is that it has brought us back to “the first Church” which is the family. This is a me for us to pray together with our family and for our family. We need to do this with Easter Faith. April 5, 2020 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
I don’t know about you but I always find myself feeling two emoons on Easter. First, every Easter as a priest I have always felt redness. The rigors of Lent, the emoons of Holy Thursday and Good Friday along with the deafening silence of Holy Saturday are exhausng. I think we all feel a certain weariness this Easter given the fact that our lives and lifestyles have temporarily changed. We have found ourselves greatly restricted and limited. Some of us have even been in quaranne. Someone said that this has probably been one of “the Lenest of Lents.” The good news is that Jesus invites us to come to him in our weariness. He promises us rest and peace. I invite you this Easter to give your weariness to him and let him refresh you. The second emoon I always feel on Easter is a profound sense of spiritual renewal in faith. Easter is a shot in the arm that engenders a new excitement and vigor for the faith. I hope you feel some of that this Easter. Wherever you are in your relaonship with Jesus and his Church, this is a moment to begin anew. In these weeks we have watched as many things we have taken for granted have been taken away from us. One thing no one can take away from us is our faith in Jesus Christ. As the old pop song goes, “Don’t stop believing!” Believe all the more. As your pastor and with my brother clergy and staff I want to say how much we believe in you the faithful of the grouping. Even though our Church and office is closed you connue to support your church. It is humbling to all of us. Some of you have mailed your envelopes. Some have le home to drop them off in the mail slot. And some have jumped on to online giving. We are so grateful for your generous support. Please know that we are trying our best to keep things together. While we have had to temporarily lay off some of our staff, we connue to pursue all of the possibilies with the recent legislaon that passed. We are also working with the Diocese on many levels to be fiscally prudent and responsible. And yet, through it all our staff connues to work to the best of their ability whether from here or from home. I am sure that you join me in thanking them for their faithful service. As you sit down with your family this Easter, know that Father Ben, Father Tom, Father Mark and Deacon Fred are with you in spirit. Our prayer for you is not only Easter Faith, but also Easter Joy, Easter Peace and Easter Health. Thanks for accom- panying us through this dark me, especially our quaranne. We are forever grateful and we will never forget! God bless you! Happy Easter! And remember, don’t let the shock of the Pandemic diminish the surprise of Easter.
MASS INTENTIONS Our LadyFOR ofTHE Grace WEEK and SaintOF APRIL Bernard 12, Parish 2020 EASTER SUNDAY
Mass intentions will be fulfilled by one of our priests during multiple private Masses. As of the printing of this bulletin, live stream Masses have been suspended due to clergy quarantine.
Sunday, April 12 Wednesday, April 15 Friday, April 17 Sunday, April 19 EASTER SUNDAY Absalon Guillen Stephen Luteran Eva Peduto For All People of the Grouping Gerard & Mary Hungerman Domineco Varrati Deceased Members of the Edwards & Reichert Families Monday, April 13 Michael R. Graziano Thursday, April 16 Saturday, April 18 For All People of the Grouping George Fichter Paul R. Carapellotti Ro & Jim Butler Filomena DiBattista Theresa Pisani Jane & Jim Famularo John & Mary Branish Tuesday, April 14 Michael Petriga Mary & Mike Taccino Walt & Patricia Burke Helen Fryske Ronald Morris
April 19, 2020 Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy) Acts 2:4247 * 1 Pt 1:39 * Jn 20: 1931 943)
Religious Education News There will be no more on site CCD classes this year. Make up work is on the website. Students in grades 2 and 8 will be sent sacrament prep lessons after Easter. Spiritually Adopt a Student Preparing for Confirmation or First Communion! As our Confirmation Candidates and some of our First Communicants are having to wait longer to receive their sacraments, we ask that parishioners spiritually adopt a student to pray for them during this wait. Please email Darcy at [email protected] to receive the first name of a student to pray for! Service Project: Children can create artwork to cheer up nursing home residents who cannot have visitors and programming right now. Please take a photo of the artwork and email it to [email protected]. Do not include your children’s faces in the photo. Thank you for helping to spread the love of Jesus and the prayers of our parish. Online Resources: Check out our website for videos and resources for your domestic church during this time at home! CCD Online MakeUp Work M posted on our website under “Children” then “At Home CCD Documents”
Parish Code: D2DRDQ
April 5, 2020 “Order your soul; reduce your wants; live in Palm charity; Sunday associate of the Passion in Chrisan of the Lord community; obey the laws; trust in Providence.” St Augusne In this very unseling me, we find ourselves living in an unprecedented way. It might be easiest to hunker down in our homes with our families, and there is of course a need to be prudent about our contact and me with others, but what is the Lord calling us to do? St Augusne tells us in this quote to “order your soul.” We should begin in prayer. Individuals, couples and families can pray each day for those who are ill, those who are caring for them and all in our community struggling during this difficult me. St Augusne also shares that we must “live in charity” and “associate in Chrisan community.” During this challenging me we must also act. We must turn outward toward our neighbor in prayer and in small ways of caring. Our new and growing Caritas Ministry here at the parish is a way to reach out to those who are most vulnerable. The Caritas Ministry will assist people who are homebound and need groceries or prescripons picked up or maybe a phone call to check in. The Ministry will also help people who might be struggling with loss of work at this me and need food assistance, etc. People may call or email the numbers below for assistance and someone will get back to them. The Ministers in the group will help fulfill the requests and leave what is needed at their door. If you would like to join the Caritas Ministry to support others, please reach out via email or phone and Marilyn Holmes, point person for this important project, will get back to you. Please also carry the spirit of our Caritas Ministry to the people on your street, in your neighborhood and those in your family. If we all pay aenon to those around us, no one will feel alone during this me. This quote of St Augusne closes with, “trust in Providence.” God is with us. He is present in each and every home. He knows the chal- lenges we face and He faces them with us. He knows the calm that can come from not running so much and breathing in the simple joys of each other. Be sure to intenonally welcome Him into your home and into each moments of your day. Caritas Ministry R [email protected] R 412R561R6021
Becoming a Catholic During CovidR19 Erica Gamerro The current outbreak of the novel coronavirus has been disrupve to every part of our lives T daily roune, job, recrea- on, family life, and social life. The virus has also been very disrupve to our faith life. Not only do we, as Catholics, find ourselves lost without the Holy Mass and normal parish life but so do our sisters and brothers who are preparing to become fully iniated Catholics. Our bapzed candidates, who were to be iniated on Divine Mercy Sunday, anxiously await their Profession of Faith, Confirmaon, and First Holy Communion. We are sll able to meet online for prayer and formaon sessions, but we wait in joyful hope for our next gathering at Sunday Eucharist and for the first me they will be able to join us as fellow Catholic Chrisans. Please keep our candidates, Carolyn, Jamie, and Ma, in your prayers during this me of waing. We also ask you to keep Kassidy and Kate, our inquirers for the catechumenate, in your prayers too.
Our Lady of Grace and Saint Bernard Parish HOW WILL WE COME BACK? Tisha Bridges R Pastoral Associate
While watching a local news report; “HOW WILL THEY COME BACK?” was the cap- on of the sportscaster as he lamented about baseball players coming back for spring training. He was confident that they would be ready for the challenges facing them in the season ahead. He had several interviews with players who modified their personal work out rounes ulizing their private homes and their children. The sportscaster highlighted the players “new normal.” How will they come back? “Ready and eagerly willing to embrace all that the playing season will bring”. This report sparked an interesng thought: How will WE come back to our lives in the Church? A er this long and frightening fast from human interacon, this fast from public prayer, worship and live sacred music. This fast from Eucharisc Adora- on, celebraon of the sacraments and most importantly fasng from the recepon of the precious body and blood of Christ? Dark periods of our lives o en inspire us to pray with more passion and fever. Dare I say that even those who haven’t spent me with the Lord in a very long me, may find themselves talking to God. It is o en in periods of crisis, when we are not in control of outcomes, when we feel threatened or the lives of our loved ones feel threatened that we can glimpse the power of prayer.
“Dark periods of our lives o en inspire us to pray with more passion and fever.”
Easter Sunday always fills us with HOPE that out of death and darkness, a new and more glorious life awaits. We are living through a very dark me as the Coronavirus creates restricons on every aspect of our lives. When we are allowed to come back I believe that each of us will have a greater appreciaon of our need for each other. A greater appreciaon of our interRconnectedness. A greater appreciaon for hu- man interacon and freedom of movement. I am imagining the great JOY of being re Runited with those friends and familiar or not so familiar faces that we greet each week at Mass, at our faith groups, at our bible study, at CCD, at school, etc. I am im- agining the great joy of a simple handshake with our parish priest greeng parishion- ers as they assemble for Mass. I am imagining that our churches will be overflowing with angelic voices praising God in prayer and song. I am imagining that when we make our approach to the altar to receive the precious Eucharist, that our hearts will not be able to contain our JOY! And just like that sportscaster, I believe that “when we come back” we will be ready and eagerly willing to embrace all the Graces that Await our Arrival! April 5, 2020 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Easter Sunday Meal Blessing Leader: Jesus Christ is risen today! All: ALLELUIA! Leader: We rejoice and are glad! All: ALLELUIA! Lord Jesus, we celebrate your resurrecon and we rejoice in your love. You are with us now as we share this meal together. We ask your blessing on this meal and on those gathered here to share it. We remember those who cannot be with us and ask your blessing upon them as well. Lord we thank you for offering us forgiveness, peace, and New Life. Help us to recognize YOU in the breaking of this bread, and strengthen us to share the Good News of your Rising with others. Leader: Jesus Christ is risen today! All: Alleluia! Leader: We rejoice and are glad! All: Alleluia!
Easter Weekday Meal Blessing Lord Jesus, you are the Bread of Life, the Living Water, the Good Shepherd who prepares a banquet for us and fills our cups to overflowing. May you bless this meal which nourishes our bodies and may your presence among us renew our spirits. Strengthen us to serve you in each other, especially in those without hope. We ask this in faith.
Amen! Alleluia!
Our Lady of Grace and Saint Bernard Parish
THE JOY OF EASTER GIVES US HOPE Father Tom Gramc R Parochial Vicar
This week we celebrate the central mystery of our faith, namely the Paschal Mystery. We celebrate the suffering, the death and the resurrecon of Jesus Christ. It is at the heart of our faith and it is truly a celebraon of hope. We as Catholic Chris- ans are called to be people of hope and to stay focused on the whole mystery. We cannot lose sight of the fact that while Christ dies on Good Friday, he is also raised from the dead on Easter Sunday. In fact, every Sunday of the year we celebrate Easter again and in some ways we are reminded of the importance of hope in our Chrisan faith. I think that the hope we have from Easter helps us to enter into this me of pandemic a lile bit more easily. Lets face the facts, a lot is being asked of us right now. Every single one of us is being asked to be selfRsacrificial in some way or another. We are being asked to put aside our own desires for the common good. We are asked to put aside our desires for social interacon, to be able to go to work, or to school, or to the movies, our desire to play together in parks, to have dinner pares, picnics, and community gatherings. All of those things are good, but we are asked to sacrifice them, to sacrifice these smaller personal goods for the grater good of human life. We are asked to sacrifice what we want, when we want it, so that we can actually save lives. There is something very holy about that and there is something very ChristRlike about that. What we celebrate at Easter is the whole Paschal Mystery. The fact that Jesus laid down his own life, put aside what was comfortable, convenient, and easy, in order to preserve our lives for eternity. The sacrifices we make for the common good allow us to imitate the saving act of Jesus Christ.
I don’t know about you, but I need to be reminded today, and every day that we are people of hope. I need to be reminded of the hope we have in the resurrecon when life is normal, and I need to be reminded especially now as we, together as a community, as a naon, and as a world bale this pandemic. We need to be people who focus on the hope that we have in new life a er the pandemic. We need to have hope that eventually all of this will come to an end, life will eventually return to some semblance of normal, and we will once again be able to gather as a faith community and worship under one roof together. While the sacrifices of the present weigh on us, we need to remain focused on the simple fact that our selfRsacrifices will lead to a resurrecon. I truly believe that this pandemic will make us stronger as a community, as a naon and as a world. It will remind us that we are capable of pung selfish ways and desires aside for the good of those most vulnerable. It will remind us that our families, friends, neighbors, and even strangers, are capable of heroic acts in order to serve the good of others. It will allow us to see that there really is so much good in the world. It will of course remind all of us just how dependent we are on God, just how good He truly is. April 5, 2020 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord We Sll Celebrate Because We Believe Erica Gamerro R Director of Worship, Evangelizaon, and Young Adult Ministry There is no doubt that this year’s Holy Week is one we will never forget. A few weeks ago, we never would have imagined that our churches would be closed during the most sacred me of the enre liturgical year. It is truly devastang and one that brings much heartache and longing. Despite the darkness of the pandemic that is permeang our world right now, we cele- brate. Yes, we celebrate! We celebrate because our Lord, “…emped himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he hum- bled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross,” (Phil 2:7R 8). God became one of us in all things but sin. He chose to experience life as a human being T its joys and its sufferings. And he chose the ulmate suffering R to be an inno- cent man crucified on a cross to set us free from the slavery of sin and death. Jesus pours out his love for us in a perfect, selfless, and sacrificial way. “If Jesus The suffering of Christ on the cross makes no sense; it is meaningless, without the resur- is not risen from the recon. If Jesus is not risen from the dead, then his agony and selfRemptying is done in vain. But today and for the next fi y days, we celebrate that “…the light shines in the dead, then his agony darkness and the darkness has not overcome it,” (Jn 1:5). Jesus Christ is risen from the and selfRemptying is dead, alleluia! done in vain.” How can we not celebrate? How can we not be overcome with joy knowing that what happens to each one of us, here on earth T the joys, the triumphs, the sufferings, the sorrows R is not the end of the story? The jubilaon of Easter is the hope of the resur- recon and that the true end of the story is eternal life with our Father in heaven. Right now, it seems like we may never step out of this darkness. Each one of us is expe- riencing the anguish of being separated from our family, friends, and faith community. Some of us or our loved ones are afflicted with physical or mental illness. A family mem- ber or friend has died. Many of us have lost our jobs. Others are struggling with rela- onship issues. Whatever cross we are bearing; we carry it while basking in the light of the resurrected Christ. Our suffering is not in vain. Brothers and sisters, do not lose hope, do not lose faith, do not lose love. Celebrate the Easter season with gladness for this is the day the Lord has made!
Our Lady of Grace and Saint Bernard Parish Darcy Osby R Director of Religious Educaon Our Easter celebraons will be a lile different this year! No vising extended family, no community egg hunts, even our baskets might be a lile sparse. But Easter can sll be a lifeRgiving celebraon for your family! Jesus’ resurrecon is such an important event in our faith that the Church celebrates Easter for a season that lasts 50 days unl Pentecost! Unfortunately, our society does not give Easter the same amount of aen- on that it gives Christmas, and the spring months get filled quickly with sports and end of the year acvies, so our children do not understand the significance of Christ’s death and resurrecon in our lives. This year, since we have the me at home, let’s keep that Easter joy throughout the whole season! Plan to celebrate Sundays. It might be a lile ambious to find an Easter acvity to do as a family every day for 50 days (go for it if you can!) but what about once a week? Every Sunday is a mini Easter when we celebrate Christ’s saving acons; that is why Sunday’s are not included when counng the 40 days of Lent! There are seven Sundays in the Easter season. Choose 7 fun cra s or acvies to celebrate Easter each Sunday. (See our website for a whole list of Easter acvity ideas!) “During the Easter Jesus is the light of the world! We all need a lile more light in our lives these days to season, light a candle remind us that Christ brings good out of every situaon and is our light in the darkness. During the Easter season, light a candle at dinner and each family member can share at dinner and each where they felt the light of Christ during the day. Have the whole family help clean all family member can of the windows and light fixtures in the house so that things seem a lile brighter! (Link share where they felt to make your own paschal candle on our website!) the light of Christ Focus on prayer. Have the kids color a banner that says “Alleluia!” to display in your during the day.” house and offer a smile and inner praise to God every me you see it. Pray especially for our babies waing to be bapzed, our children waing to receive their First Com- munion, and our young people waing to be Confirmed. Pray for an increased desire to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist and in the Body of Christ gathered together in our parishes.
April 5, 2020 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Worldwide Pandemic, a Historical Perspecve Deacon Fred Eckhardt The Oregon State Board of Health ordered all public gathering places to shutdown statewide. Businesses closed. Churches suspended services. Restaurants sat empty. Portland schools closed. Officials urged residents to wash their hands and to keep at least 4 feet apart. The famous department store, Meier & Frank took only delivery orders.Words snatched from today’s headlines? No, not at all. Oregon, and virtually every other state in the Union, took these unprecedented steps in the hope of curtailing the spread of one of the most deadly worldwide pandemics in all of history, the Spanish (Influenza) flu of 1918R1920. (Misnamed, the flu did not originate in Spain or affect Spain more than any other country.) The 1918 Flu Pandemic was an unusually deadly influenza pandemic. Over two years it infected 500 million people world- wide , about a quarter of the world’s populaon at the me and resulted in the deaths of anywhere from 17 to 50 million people. States, cies and communies were locked down. People were ordered to stay in their home. People took their orders to stay indoors seriously. People were alone and lonely. For many, complete isolaon resulted in depression. De- pression lead to despair and despair to a sense of hopelessness. With the churches closed, where could they go? Who could they turn to? For many they were able to turn to the first Church, their own home and their family. For everyone it was a dire me. They relied upon the newspaper for informaon. Unfortunately, all too o en, the news only added to their sense of hopelessness because stories about gloom and doom sold more newspapers than any ‘feel good’ stories.
Yes, the Covid 19 virus is deadly, and it’s scary. And in our isolaon, le with only newspapers and the news media, per- haps we too may become depressed. And yes, our churches are also closed. Where can we go? Who can we turn to? Of course we turn to Our Lord who is with us every step of the way. And we ulize the first Church, our home and our family. We pray. Today, WE ARE REALLY NOT ALONE. At our fingerps, is every sort of modern technology to keep us constantly in touch with our family, our friends and even our clergy, yes, even the Mass...all just a click away. The phone, the television, the computer, the IPad and a bunch of other things a 71 year old deacon has no idea are out there. All are available for us to use 24/7. In my family, our daily schedule is quite different now that we stay at home. I’d say we’re even more connected to our church, to our faith now, in our isolaon, than we were before. We start the day with morning prayers, during the day we stream the Mass, we eRmail and text our brothers and sisters from the parish, I stay in touch with my brother clergy, we pray The Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3 pm, the Rosary a er dinner and then there are Evening Prayers. But is it all work and no play? I don’t think so:: “Nelix, show me Catholic Movies.”
Our LadyWe of Grace Sing and the Saint FaithBernard Parish Chaz Bowers - Director of Music
Of hymn singing, Erik Routley, a famous celebrated hymnologist, once said “the hymnal is second only to the Bible in developing the Christian faith.” When we think of hymns—poetic text expressions of our faith—we can easily see how a hymn such as The First Nowell illustrates the Christmas narrative, or how Holy, Holy, Holy depicts the Trinity. Through active participation in the Mass, we literally sing the faith. This was recognized even in the early church, around the time of the Council of Nicea and onward, where the invocation of the Trinity was often written in the last stanza to combat heresies within the church. The practice is still commonly used to this day.
Now, it is important to note that hymn singing at Mass was not as common as it is today in the Pre-Vatican II Church. In fact, hymns were mostly only sung during the Liturgy of the Hours and in other devotional services of the church. Hymn singing at Mass was rather rare. The Propers of the Mass, including the Introit Chant sung during the Opening Procession, the Psalm, Offertory Chant, and Communion Chant were all based on biblical psalms and generally chanted by the choir alone.
Sequence hymns are one example of hymn singing at Mass that is prescribed by the church. Today, the sequence hymns are sung after the second reading before the Gospel Acclamation. Victimae paschali laudes, the Sequence Hymn for Easter, is one example of a hymn that was prescribed by the church to be sung at Holy Mass. Prior to the Council of Trent, 1545-63, there were sequence hymns sung almost every Sunday. In fact, Easter alone had some 16 different sequences that could be used. During the Council of Trent, the church abolished all but four: Victimae paschali laudes for Easter; Veni Sancte Spiritus for Pentecost; Lauda Sion for Corpus Christi; and the Dies irae for Requiem Masses. An addi- tional sequence, Stabat Mater for the Feast of the Seven Dolours (Sorrows) of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was added by
PopeApril Benedict5, 2020 XIII in 1727, and the Dies irae was not included in the Post-Vatican Palm SundayII Mass ofof theChristian Passion Burial. of the The Lord Church mandates the singing of the sequence on Easter and Pentecost, however, the other feasts remain optional.
Victimae paschali laudes is most often attributed to Wipo of Burgundy, chaplain to Emperor Conrad II of Germany. The text tells of the great battle of Christ over death and the mystical empty tomb. The sequence is most commonly sung to Gregorian Chant, however, many composers from the Renaissance to the modern era have set it in a multitude of ways, including choral settings, hymn settings, and paraphrased settings. Here is the text of the sequence:
Victimae Paschali Christians, to the Paschal Victim laudes immolent Christiani. offer sacrifice and praise. Agnus redemit oves: The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb; Christus innocens Patri and Christ, the undefiled, reconciliavit hath sinners peccatores. to his Father reconciled. Mors et vita duello Death with life contended: conflixere mirando: combat strangely ended! dux vitae mortuus, Life's own Champion, slain, regnat vivus. yet lives to reign.
Dic nobis Maria, Tell us, Mary: Quid vidisti in via? say what thou didst see upon the way.
Sepulcrum Christi viventis, The tomb the Living did enclose; et gloriam vidi resurgentis: I saw Christ's glory as He rose! Angelicos testes, The angels there attesting; sudarium et vestes. shroud with grave-clothes resting. Surrexit Christus spes mea: Christ, my hope, has risen: praecedet suos in Galilaeam. He goes before you into Galilee.
Scimus Christum surrexisse That Christ is truly risen a mortuis vere: from the dead we know. Tu nobis, victor Rex miserere. Victorious King, Thy mercy show! Amen. Alleluia. Amen. Alleluia.
“Hymn Praying” Our Lady of Grace and Saint Bernard Parish Aaron Sproul R Associate Director of Music
One of the things that I’ve missed the most while we are ments sung by choirs, cantors, and congregaons from all refraining from public Masses is accompanying congrega- around the world. onal hymn singing. Whether it be the enthusiasc singing at the 4:00 p.m. Mass at Our Lady of Grace or a thrilling GodRwilling, it will not be long before we can join our voic- descant from the choir during a solemn procession at the es together in song once again at Mass. Unl then, I hope 11:00 a.m. Mass at St. Bernard, the hymns are some of my that you can find some solace and peace in your favorite favorite parts of the Mass to play. Hymns offer so many hymn, or even in a hymn you may have never heard be- possibilies to an organist; changing the harmony, using a fore. Perhaps there are no more appropriate words than solo trumpet to highlight the melody, and textRpainng the ageRold hymn: with various organ registraons. And while all of this is a very spiritual and excing challenge for me, I o en wonder if the people in our pews really have the opportunity to O God, our help in ages past, appreciate the deep theological teachings and prayerful Our hope for years to come, commentary that these hymns contribute to the Mass. Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home. We’ve all heard the saying “he who sings, prays twice.” The importance of singing psalms and hymns during worship is Under the shadow of your throne deeply based in scripture, as a means to give praise and Your saints have dwelt secure; glory to God. Throughout the history of the Church, hymn Sufficient is your arm alone, writers have taken full advantage of the opportunity to And our defense is sure. teach the faith through song. If you pay close aenon, you will noce that many of the hymns we sing combine Before the hills in order stood, texts and themes from the rest of the Mass with poec Or earth received its frame, professions of Chrisan theology, and offer praise to the From everlasng you are God, Holy Trinity in some form or another. Hymns are a means To endless years the same. of reflecng on the Sunday readings and praising God all in one. What a powerful way to pray! A thousand ages in your sight Are like an evening gone, While we aren’t able to sing hymns together at Mass right Short as the watch that ends the night now, I invite you to explore the vast world of hymnody on Before the rising sun. your own R perhaps by singing hymns together as a family, by exploring and learning both old and new hymns, or Time, like an everRrolling stream, simply by praying the texts on your own. If you’re not sure Bears all our years away; where to find hymns in the absence of our familiar red They fly forgoen, as a dream Worship hymnals, www.hymnary.org is a great resource to Dies at the op'ning day. start. By creang a free account, you can browse all of the hymns in the Worship IV hymnal (as well as hundreds of O God, our help in ages past, other hymnals). Each hymn has the music and the text, as Our hope for years to come, well as a great deal of other informaon. As an alternate Sll be our guard while troubles last, opon, don’t be afraid to browse YouTube. There you can And our eternal home. find thousands of recordings of exceponal hymn arrange-
April"Inflamed 5, 2020 with Heavenly Desires" Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Father Ben Bar R Parochial Vicar
While the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic has made us aware of many things, such as the need for "safeRdistancing," the cur- rent scarcity of hand sanizer, and the temptaon of some among us to show tendencies towards hoarding with regard to toilet ssue, it has also made us aware of something less secular and far more sacred R the strong desire that the faithful have to return to their churches and to the Mass! There is an ageRold saying: "You don't know what you've got 'l it's gone." How true this statement has been for all of us during these days, with the emptying of our pews, the locking of our church doors, and the suspension of our shared celebraon of the sacraments. Some have speculated that, just as churches were flooded with those seeking the consolaon of their faith following the Second World War, we may again see such an influx when the restricons that are a part of our daily existence are li ed at last. While our current circumstances prevent us from being able to gather together for the moving and beauful liturgies of the Sacred Triduum, that does not mean that the words and rituals cannot offer us content to reflect upon in personal prayer even outside of a liturgical gathering.
Each year on Holy Saturday, the faithful gather a er the seng of the sun for what is described in the Roman Missal as "the greatest and most noble of all solemnies," the Easter Vigil. This lengthy liturgy, in which we welcome the return of the "Gloria" and the "Alleluia," and in which the Paschal Candle is blessed and new members welcomed into our faith communi- ty, begins with what is called the "Lucenarium," the "Service of Light," or the Blessing of the Fire and Preparaon of the Can- dle. In one of the more visually expressive moments even among so elaborately celebrated a gathering, a fire is prepared from which the Paschal Candle, a er being blessed, is lit. As that single flame is carried in solemn procession into the dark- ened church, three mes the words "Lumen Chris," "The Light of Christ," ring out into the gloom that is dispelled by the flickering light of the Paschal Candle. As the candle makes its way further into the church, other candles are lit from it, and a warm glow slowly spreads to fill the enre building. Shapes begin to emerge from the darkness. Gilt surfaces begin to shim- mer. Faces become visible, all reverently directed towards the great pillar of the Paschal Candle, the Light of Christ, as it blazes in the sanctuary to accompany the singing of the Exultet before the Second Part of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Word, begins. If done well R there always seems to be an issue of either an outRofRcontrol Easter Fire or a Paschal Candle that refus- es to remain lit in the gusty wind that always seems a fixture of the night R the Lucenarium perfectly expresses what it is meant to symbolize, and what is captured in the words of the prayers, the "Light of Christ" rising "in glory" that dispels the "darkness of our hearts and minds." Now, more than ever, we are aware of the need that we have in this life for that Light. Now, when the darkness of fear and doubt, the lack of our communal experience of our faith, and the uncertainty of what is to come press heavily upon us, it is more important than ever that we each keep the light of faith alive and shining brightly. While we cannot be together this year to express this truth liturgically, while we cannot hold a small flame lit from the Paschal Candle, trembling but burning fiercely to push back the shadows, we already carry that light with us even from the moment of our own bapsm. Let our resolve this Easter, different from any other in our living memory, be a simple one R the words of a song so many of us learned as children: "This lile light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine." One small light, but when joined to the Light of Christ and to those of so many others, enough to fill a building, to bind and strengthen a community, to enlighten, warm, and en- flame the enre world! May the words with which the Easter Fire is blessed carry us through difficult mes. May they re- sound in our minds and hearts to dispel the current darkness, unl we are able to be together again, that "we may be so in- flamed with heavenly desires, that with minds made pure we may aain fesvies of unending splendor. Through Christ our Lord. Amen!"
OUR OurLADY Lady OF ofGRACE Grace and and SAINT Saint BERNARDBernard Parish PARISHES CLERGY Bishop Most Rev. David A. Zubik, MSEd, DD Regional Vicar Very Rev. Frederick L. Cain, VE Pastor Rev. David J. Bonnar, STB [email protected] 4125613300 x 600 Parochial Vicar Rev. Benjamin Barr, Ph.B, STB, MDiv [email protected] 4125613300 X 603 Parochial Vicar Rev. Thomas Gramc, STL [email protected] 4125613300 x 602 Chaplain Rev. Gilbert Z. Puznakoski Chaplain Rev. Michael L. Yaksick In Residence Very Rev. Mark Eckman, MDiv (Episcopal Vicar) Deacon Rev. Mr. Fred Eckhardt, MEd. 4125006553 SHARED STAFF Pastoral Associate Tisha Bridges, LPC, MA, MSEd [email protected] 4124402681 Director of Worship, Evangelization and Erica Gamerro, MA [email protected] 4125610570 Young Adult Ministry
Director of Music Chaz Bowers, MSM [email protected] 4125317412 Associate Director of Music Aaron Sproul, BM [email protected] 4125317412 Assistant Coordinator of Music Kevin Trichtinger [email protected] 4122796135 Director of Handbell Choir Director of Religious Education Darcy Osby, MDiv [email protected] 4125610199 Religious Education Administrative Assistant Christy Fabus [email protected] 4125610199 Religious Education Administrative Assistant Danielle Vernillo [email protected] 4125610199 x 310 Director of Youth Ministry Angela Gaughan, MA [email protected] 4125616021 Facilities Maintenance Manager Jim Baranowski [email protected] 4129920326 Safe Environment Beth Figas [email protected] 4125613300 x 101 Parish Secretary MJ Beckham [email protected] 4125613300 x 102
OUR LADY OF GRACE STAFF
Office Manager Mary Beth Schnieder [email protected] 4125613300 x 110 Facilities and Maintenance Coordinator Stanley Zeszutek [email protected] SAINT BERNARD STAFF Business Manager Diann Murtaugh [email protected] 4125613300 x 130
Director of Social Service Outreach Angela Gaughan, MA [email protected] 4125616021 Parish Office Manager/Bulletin Editor Paula Mattern [email protected] 4125613300 x 103 Parish Secretary Geori Prahl [email protected] 4125613300 x 100 OLG and ST. BERNARD SCHOOLS CoPrincipal Mrs. Sharon Loughran Brown [email protected] 4122796611 CoPrincipal Dr. Anthony Merante [email protected] 4123415444 x 201 OLG School Secretary Christina Debski [email protected] 4122796611 x 111 OLG School Secretary Jocelyn Valderrama [email protected] 4122796611 x 111 OLG Director of Advancement Diane Seybert [email protected] 4122796611 x 105 St. B School Office Manager Susan Dillon [email protected] 4123415444 x 200 St. B School Secretary Judy Vogel [email protected] 4123415444 x 202 St. B Director of Development Molly Jesso [email protected] 4123415444 x 325 Diocesan tollfree number for abuse: 18888081235 Regular Bulletin Deadline: Mondays by 10a.m. / Electronic submissions only to [email protected]
The Offices of Our Lady of Grace and St. Bernard Parish 311 Washington Road/Pittsburgh, PA 15216 Parish Phone: 4125613300 Parish Fax: 4125630211 Website www.olgscott.org or www.stbernardchurchpgh.org 4-D-5-3 For ad info. call 1-800-477-4574 • www.4lpi.com 14-1161 Michael A. Kail, D.D.S fabrics ZUK’S SERVICE STATION The Orthodontic Practices of oral & maxillofacial surgery Dr. Richard F. Gobbie & classes • State/Emissions Inspection Mt Lebanon Robinson • Brakes & Exhaust Service Dr. George Deme 455 Cochran Road 5992 Steubenville Pike machines Pittsburgh, PA Robinson, PA • Air Conditioning Service www.pittorthogroup.com 412.343.7855 412.787.1442 300 Castle Shannon Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 1200 Washington Avenue Dental Implants | Wisdom Teeth 412.344.2330 • www.Sew412.com Carnegie, PA Our smiles are recognizable! Jaw Reconstruction Mon-Sat 10a-5p | Thurs 10a-8p 412-276-6244 Personalized Care | Affordable Prices | Convenient Hours We work with most insurance plans • Free evaluation for new patients PREFERRED PROVIDER Mt. Lebanon Pleasant Hills Scottdale 412.563.5800 412.469.9550 724.887.0466 (412) 531-2364
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