Holy Saturday

On Holy Saturday, the Church keeps vigil, as we wait for and celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord.

"Receive the Light of Christ," we tell one another at the Vigil

Where do I need Christ's light in my life?  Where do I need to shine light in my family, community, and world?


image credit: Lawrence OP on flickr

View from the Cross

For Good Friday, a painting depicting what Jesus saw from the cross called "View from the Cross," by James Tissot.

For a quick synopsis of what you're looking at, read this entry in Art and the Bible.

Where would you be in this picture (be honest)?  Far away, close by, or somewhere in between?

Holy Thursday

To prepare for Holy Thursday's liturgy (Mass of the Lord's Supper), take a look at this video from Fr. Robert Barron's Catholicism series.  In it he talks about the words of Jesus in John 6.



What's my experience of the Eucharist?  Do I believe with my actions as well as with my mind that Jesus has the words of everlasting life?

Virtual Stations of the Cross

If you're looking for a way to pray the Stations of the Cross at home, I recommend taking at look at the Virtual Stations of the Cross put together by Busted Halo, a website run by the Paulists (in addition to the two I previously recommended).  These stations are very well done, combining our Tradition with contemporary artwork and reflections written for people trying to follow Jesus in the world today.  The Stations are pray at your own pace, so you can reflect on and pray with one station for as long as you wish before moving on to the next Station.

I've embedded the first two below, but you can pray with the rest by clicking here.

First Station: Jesus is Condemned to Death


Second Station: Jesus Carries His Cross
 

A Guide to Holy Week's Liturgical Colors

Many colors, many meanings

"Wait, is Holy Thursday a white day or a red day?"

"Father wore red on Palm Sunday -- why not purple?" 

"What color should I wear on Good Friday?"

If you've asked yourself one of these questions, or many related questions, in the past few days, you're not alone.  During Holy Week, Catholics use three different colors liturgically: red, purple, and white.  Below is a quick guide to these colors, which days they're associated with, and what they symbolize.

Red: Palm Sunday & Good Friday

On Palm Sunday, celebrants wear red

Used twice during Holy Week (Palm Sunday and Good Friday), red is associated with passion and love in the world at large.  Red is the liturgical color for exactly this reason, to help drive home the point that Jesus loved us to death -- and beyond.  The two times that we read the Lord's Passion in it's entirety are Palm Sunday and Good Friday, so it's no coincidence that the liturgical color these two days is red.  Also associated with feast day of martyrs (those who witness to our Catholic faith to the point of giving their lives), the red liturgical color on these two days symbolizes the blood shed by Jesus.

Purple
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week all use the Lenten color of purple.  These days are the regular Lenten days and so get the regular Lenten color, symbolizing the penance we are undergoing in preparation for Easter.

On Holy Thursday, celebrants wear white

White: Holy Thursday & Easter Vigil/Sunday

*Did you know Lent officially ends on Holy Thursday?  On Holy Thursday, our mood turns celebratory as we poignantly celebrate the Last Supper the day before we commemorate Jesus' death on Good Friday, a day with no Mass.  Holy Thursday is the day we dust the Gloria off and represent it to Catholic communities world wide, singing triumphantly the song of praise and glory to God that we have not sung together in weeks.  And of course on Easter we joyously and triumphantly celebrate the Resurrection of Christ from the dead, singing "death, where is your sting?"  Jesus reigns and we celebrate!  So the liturgical color of white symbolizes joy, triumph, and glory.

*note: we don't end our fasting after Lent ends, but instead enter into the Triduum fast as we continue and intensify our preparation for Easter.


Image Credits: chelmsfordblue on flickr; bquad on flickr

Holy Week Basket

Fill your basket

With Holy Week around the corner, here's an idea for your family that will help make Holy Week a special week: Holy Week baskets!  Bust out the fake green grass a little early and scrounge up your Spring-colored plastic Easter eggs: we're repurposing them in a non-candy way.

Put the green plasticy grass in the basket, and place the basket in a prominent place in your house.  Inside the eggs, place slips of paper with different actions or ideas for keeping Holy Week.  For ideas, check out the description of a classroom version of this activity.  Here are some that are St. Mark specific:

• Attend the Palm Sunday parish penance service (at 7:00PM on Palm Sunday)
• Donate a household item for those who cannot afford it (see bulletin for details)
• Attend a Holy Week service at St. Mark

What other ideas could you include in your Holy Week basket?

Image credit: tracitodd on flickr

Palm Sunday Video

Here's a video (not intended for children) about Palm Sunday.  How do we approach the only Sunday Gospel of the year where we, the assembly, have speaking parts?



Do I just go through the motions of Palm Sunday?  Where in my life do I need to turn away from sin and embrace the Gospel?

Holy Week in 2 Minutes

This two minute video which runs through the holiest week of the year, Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday.
What did you learn from this video?  What could you pass on to your children?

Holy Week Services at St. Mark Catholic Church in Vienna, VA

Below is the Mass and service schedule for St. Mark Catholic Church in Vienna, VA for Holy Week 2012 (Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday).

Palm (Passion) Sunday, April 1

• Mass Times: 8:00AM; 10:00AM; 12:00 noon
  The outdoor procession will take place at the noon Mass only, and will begin with the blessing of the palms in the Activities Center.
• Parish Penance Service: 7:00PM

Holy Thursday, April 5

• Mass of the Lord's Supper: 7:30PM
• Adoration: post-Mass until midnight

Good Friday, April 6

• Stations of the Cross: 12 noon
• Celebration of the Lord's Passion: 3:00PM
• Living Stations of the Cross: 7:30PM

Holy Saturday, April 7

• Blessing of the Food: 12 noon
• Easter Vigil: 8:30PM

Easter Sunday, April 8

• Mass Times: 8:00AM; 10:00AM; 12:00 noon 

Note: Mass times on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday are a bit different for the early and late Mass: 8AM instead of 8:15AM and 12 noon instead of 11:45AM.

2 Online Stations of the Cross

A wooden cross

Each Friday at 7:30PM during Lent, St. Mark has a communal Stations of the Cross.  But what if you're unable to make the Stations on Friday?  Below are a few options for your family to pray the Stations at home.

Stations for Children
Loyola Press has put together a multimedia Stations of the Cross that can either be downloaded or viewed online in Flash format.  Each station features a brief description as well as a non-gruesome picture.  The primary audience for these stations are children.  If you're interested at engaging your children further with these stations, ask them to come up with their own picture of each Station.  You'll be surprised at what they come up with!

Shadow Puppet Stations
Put together by Jesuit Brother Edward Sheehy, the YouTube video below features a different take on Stations of the Cross, with shadows playing the part of the characters with "Were You There?" playing in the background.  This almost 9 minute video is more of a meditation than the traditional Stations of the Cross, as the only words spoken announce each Station.  Everything else is dependent on your imagination.


How does your family pray during Lent?  Do your children know about the Stations of the Cross?

Image: Janaka Dharmasena / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

2 Family Lenten Events at St. Mark

How is your family’s Lent this year? Okay? Good? Not so good?

There are two opportunities (both at St. Mark) in the next week for your family: (1) (Youth Mass +) Parish Lenten Mission and (2) Pizza + Children’s Stations of the Cross.

(Youth Mass +) Parish Lenten Mission
On Sunday evening, we have our monthly youth Mass at 6PM followed by a family dinner at 7PM in the Activities Center. After dinner, children (grades preschool through 8th) are invited to join in a Lenten Workshop. Parents are encouraged to attend the Parish Mission at 7:30PM being held in the church at the same time (starting at 7:30PM). (We would ask one parent to remain in the activity center if your children are in 2nd grade or below.) The title of the Mission is Lent: Our Journey into the Mystery of God.

On Monday and Tuesday Evenings, you’re invited to the other two nights of the Mission, also beginning at 7:30PM. Check out our awesome flyer (PDF) for more info.

Pizza + Children’s Stations of the Cross
Join us next Friday, March 9 for Pizza + Children’s Stations of the Cross. Pizza will be served at 7PM in the Activities Center and Stations will begin at 7:30PM in the Church. This particular Stations of the Cross caters to children in the primary grades, but is suitable for all ages. Donations will be accepted to help offset the cost of the pizza.

Please RSVP to Isaac by noon on Thursday, March 8 so we can order enough pizza.

Website Wednesday: 3 Lenten Reflection Sites

Lent is a very popular time for parishes.  It's popular because people know that Lent is a special time in the year, a time to focus on God.  To help us "rend our hearts," many different communities provide a series of one-a-day reflections.  Below are three online series that I've found helpful.

Fast | Pray | Give

It's like an Advent calendar...that's fasting from chocolate.

Busted Halo does a great job of coming up with daily, relatable content 366 days of the year.  [Insert Leap Day joke.]  Their yearly Lenten offering does not disappoint.  Each day features a quote from a cultural figure, real or fictitious, along with one way you can fast, pray, and give that day.

Take a look at Saturday, February 25.  Yoda's famous "Do or do not -- there is no try" quote is featured.  Then below we see our three Lenten disciplines:

FAST from overthinking decisions.
PRAY to be more confident in your abilities and more active in your faith.
GIVE a call to a parish or community ministry today to schedule time to volunteer in a parish or community ministry this week.

If you're a techie, they tweet these every day.  You can follow them on twitter @BustedHalo.  Or bookmark this page to visit the calendar every day.

Lenten Dimensions

"You had me at hello."

Romero Center Ministries is an urban retreat and social justice education center in the heart of East Camden, NJ.  Their daily Lenten offerings (Lenten Dimensions) are themed through alliteration.  For example, today is "Wednesday Word" and yesterday was "Tuesday Television."  Frequently focusing on social justice, these reflections take on a different flavor than others by sifting through our world and engaging our culture with the Gospel.

For example, take a look at yesterday's Tuesday Television.  Using a clip from the movie Jerry Maguire, seminarian Kevin Mohan shows how important it is to say what you mean in prayer (and in life) and not be okay with God (or your spouse) knowing that you love them.  Interested piqued?  Read the rest of the reflection.  Or subscribe to their calendar and get the link in your Google calendar daily.

Lent with the Saints

Short and sweet daily moments of prayer.

Lifted from a Daily Reflection book with the same name, Lent with the Saints has a short reflection on each day's Gospel followed by a prayer.  Some days the reflection is replaced by a short profile of the saint of the day.  To get the most out of each day's reflection, you should make sure to read the readings of the day (or go to Mass) beforehand.

Do you have a favorite Lenten reflection series?  How does it stretch you during Lent?

Fasting and Feasting: a Lenten Reflection/Prayer/Poem

Every year, I place before me the following reflection/prayer/poem that helps center my Lenten journey to help me prepare for Easter.  This is reproduced from this St. Louis University webpage.

Fasting and Feasting
Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling within them.
Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on trust.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on nonviolence.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.

How do you feel called to fast?  How can you feast on the other end?

Video: 40 Days

Check out this video of Matt Maher's Lenten song "40 Days" set to drawn images of Jesus in the desert.

Forty days to wander

Forty days to die to self

Forty days to grow stronger

Where do you need strength this Lent?  What do you seek as we wander together these forty days?

Lent: Time for a Road Trip

This article appeared in the March, 2011 edition of the Maneline, St. Mark's monthly newsletter.  The dates are off, but the heart of the text remains true.

The view was something like this

Road Trippin'

Last Christmas I returned to my hometown, Austin, Texas. Instead of flying, my wife and I road tripped with my best friend from high school (a youth minister in Harrisonburg) and his wife. Six months into our marriages and new ministry positions, there was much to discuss: the transition to life in Virginia; our different but beautiful communities; and life with a spouse. Beyond the conversations, we shared many “meals” that usually consisted of food purchased at a small-town edition of a fast-food restaurant. But we both brought food along for the journey to share with each other. I had Star Wars gingerbread cookies and he had the most delicious homemade peanut brittle. With friendships refreshed, the end of our trip found us physically tired and hungry for substantial food, which Mom happily provided with homemade lasagna and fresh bread.

During Lent, we all will take a different sort of road trip. Though our life situations are vastly different, the destination is the same: Easter. All the extra “stuff” we do during Lent (both communally and individually) is meant to prepare us for that glorious moment when the bells are rung, the Gloria is sung, and we celebrate the Resurrection!

But what about that road trip? How will we spend our time in the car? Thankfully, the Church has been on quite a few of these road trips and has some suggestions to help change us into people ready to celebrate the Resurrection. She recommends three practices during Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Prayer
In prayer, our search for God finds a tongue and ears. On my Texas road trip, prayer took the form of conversation – listening and speaking. We talked about everything under the sun, asked each other for gum, and probably said a few “I’m sorrys” for wrong turns and incorrect fast food orders. Our Lenten prayer takes a similar shape: speaking to God about anything and everything, listening to God in silence and with Scripture, asking God for guidance and help, and saying sorry. When we relate to God in this way, our friendship is refreshed and we (s l o w l y) become better guests for the Easter party that God is throwing.

Saying goodbye to fast food can be hard

Fasting
Fasting forces us out of our M.O., our normal way of doing things. During the day long drive, we fasted from comforts normally sought when sleeping, namely a stable, horizontal bed with a variety of coverings and a familiar pillow. The words “I’m going to sleep well tonight!” came out of our mouths the second the motor stopped humming. When we deny ourselves cheeseburgers, Netflix, and judging, we become more aware of the physicality of our body, the depth of our mind, and our quick emotional reactions. By denying ourselves the comforts and normalcy of life, we relearn to enjoy them all the more and our “thanks be to God” becomes more sincere. Fasting during Lent is as much about giving up good things as it is about conversion from bad habits. When we fast from judging AND from listening to music in the car, we enter into better relationship with other Easter party guests and will enjoy the music so much more.

Almsgiving

A statue of a beggar receiving alms

Sharing is difficult, but so much more so when you only have a finite amount of resources. And homemade peanut brittle proved to be very finite on the long trip. Yet, my friends kept giving, not from their excess but from their very limited supply. Lenten almsgiving should affect those closest to us in addition to those most in need. Giving tangible gifts to the poor is a great way to give alms, but what if instead of giving our ugliest, never-worn sweater we gave our favorite jacket? Or if we sat down as a family and decided not to eat out after mass on Sundays and instead give that exact amount to the poor each week? These gifts affect us more because there is an actual cost involved. Giving to the poor then becomes giving ourselves—our time, our post-mass meal, our favorite shirt, our skills—and the gift, in a certain way, becomes more genuine. When we give these gifts of self to the poor and to God, we prepare ourselves to receive the ultimate authentic gift of self at the Easter banquet, the Eucharist.

Lent gives us the wonderful opportunity to reorient ourselves to God by committing to practices meant to make us more fully alive, giving new life to parts of life in need of a change. Our three disciplines are not ends in themselves, but a means to participate in the workings of the Spirit and in the Body of Christ as a whole during this season. We do not do them to win the favor of God, but to become more aware of the love that God has for us by preparing the way.

May our road trip together be fruitful. Happy traveling!

Image Credits: Christian Cable, Thiophene Guy, on flickr

7 Steps for a Good Lent (For You & Your Family)

After the Fat Tuesday party dies down today, be prepared to answer the ubiquitous Lenten question: "What are you giving up for Lent."  Using the traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, there's more to Lent than not eating chocolate.  But even if you repeat your Lenten practices from last year, it's still a good idea to think about what it is you're doing and so make your Lent an intentional pilgrimage with the Lord.

Enter: the 7 Steps for a Good Lent, as conceived by Coming Home Catholic (CHC), a group focused on renewing religious education in the family.  Their guide is focused on your family and how your family will keep the Lenten practices.  Below are their Seven Steps with additional suggestions.

Before Your Start Your Lenten Practices

Decide as a family what to do for Lent.

Step 1: Take the Family Inventory
CHC put together a good inventory/assessment tool (PDF) your family can use to think through major areas of family life.  With your entire family, answer the questions and highlight a few areas your family needs to improve on.

Step 2: Think About Lenten Resolutions
Pick at least one area your family can focus on from your inventory results.  Consider how your family can pray, fast, and give alms to make a difference in that area.  CHC recommends resolutions that are easy enough to do for 6 weeks but still challenging.

Step 3: Celebrate Mardi Gras / Fat Tuesday / Shrove Tuesday
Many, many years ago, Lenten dietary restrictions included restrictions on dairy products.  Shrove Tuesday was the day when all those products were used up.  What do eggs, milk, and butter play a prominent role in?  Pancakes!

The key is not to go overboard and eat everything in sight.  Instead, taste whatever it is you're eating and celebrate life.

Lent: Prepares You For Easter
Step 4: Learn About Lenten Practices
To prepare us to celebrate Easter, the Church recommends three practices.  Learn a little about each of them below.

Truth.

• Prayer is our conversation with God, both individually and communally.  Here are some ideas on how your family can pray.  And other ideas too.
• Fasting increases our awareness of our bodies and our minds, sharpening ourselves that we may better be attuned to God.  This practice has overshadowed the other two, and is where we get the "giving something up" part of Lent.  Here are some ideas on how your family can fast.
• Almsgiving is a practice that invites us to care for the poor and oppressed within our community and our family.  Usually we think of giving money (CRS' Rice Bowl is a yearly tradition), but here are other ways to give alms this Lent.

Step 5: Follow Through
Write down your resolutions on the refrigerator, the door, all your mirrors, your alarm clock, your arm, even your face -- anywhere that will help you remember your family's resolutions.  Keep your family in your prayers!

Holy Week

Soon, but not yet.

Step 6: Prepare Your Home For Easter
Once Holy Week rolls around, start scrounging around for Easter decorations.  Holy Saturday is a great time to put up the decorations.  You've just spent 40 days fasting -- it's time to celebrate with all we have, including our house!

Step 7: Participate in Triduum
Come to Mass on Holy Thursday, participate in a Good Friday service, and attend the Vigil.  These are the three holiest days of the year -- make the most of it!  (More on this in April.)

What will your family do for Lent?  Where do you want new life in your family?


Image Credit: Nick Booth, LivingOS, Mikey G Ottawa, and Marek52 on flickr, 

Ash Wednesday in Two Minutes

Continuing our preparation for Lent, below is an excellent video that reviews Ash Wednesday in two minutes.  As a reminder, if you're clink the link to see when St. Mark in Vienna, VA has Mass on Ash Wednesday 2012.



Video courtesy of Busted Halo.

10 Common Lenten Questions

Why is Lent 40 days?  Why do we give up things during Lent?  What's the deal with the ashes?

Below is a great short video that will answer these questions and more as we prepare for the beginning of Lent.


Prefer to read?  Check out the transcription to the video.

Do you have any questions about Lent?  Leave a comment and I'll respond with the answer.

Ash Wednesday Mass Schedule, St. Mark Catholic Church, Vienna, VA

Turn away from sin and follow the Gospel

Below is the Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, February 22) Mass Schedule for St. Mark Catholic Church in Vienna, VA.  There is no separate time for distribution of ashes during a non-Mass.

Ash Wednesday, February 22

• 6:15AM
• 9:15AM
• 5:30PM
• 7:30PM

If you have any questions, please call the St. Mark parish office at (703) 281-9100.

Lent 2012

Soon and very soon...

Ash Wednesday is a week and a half away.  As we in the St. Mark community turn our attention to Lent, I'll post a number of ideas, activities, and articles that will help you and your family prepare for Easter through the Lenten season.

What do you do in your family?  Leave a comment and share with your fellow parishioners.