Entering Holy Week, our summit as Catholic-Christians—thank you to parishioners who will offer their time and faith musically, as lectors and altar servers, ushers and greeters, Eucharistic Ministers at Mass and to the homebound, those who decorate our sanctuary and church interior reflecting the grace these special days, sacristans preparing the Altar, those who clean our church, and those who create a welcoming space to all just by their presence and faith. Thank you! Sr. Thea Bowman grew up in Mississippi and as a young adult joined the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA’s) out of LaCrosse, WI. She was outspoken, dynamic and always hopeful in her faith life. She shared the following about Holy Week: “Let us resolve to make this week holy by claiming Christ’s redemptive grace and by living holy lives. The Word became flesh and redeemed us by his holy life and holy death. This week especially let us accept redemption by living grateful, faithful, prayerful, generous, just and holy lives.” With our lives in perpetual motion with work, daily chores and responsibilities, activities, and schedules, ‘Holy Week’ can easily be bypassed as just another week. Possibly and even hopefully—attentive to the ‘opportunity’ this week of holiness offers—we can personally resolve to step into the redemptive grace with gratefulness, prayerfully, and with generous hearts through these straightforward suggestions: *Spend a little time each day listening to music that helps you slow down—hymns, jazz, folksong, symphony pieces, instrumental, songs with meaningful words—as long as the listening helps you breathe more slowly and go to a place deeper in your spirit. *Prepare at least one meal with special care for the people in your home (or, if you live alone, for you and a guest or two), and make certain all of you sit down together to eat it. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. *Choose one of the Passion narratives—from any of the four Gospels—and read it aloud to yourself over the course of the week. Don’t try to learn anything new or have a profound experience; simply read the story (as a form of a prayer). *On Good Friday allow yourself the opportunity to enter the solemnity of the day by turning off the television, radio or Bluetooth, the computer, and screen time on the smartphone; giving yourself the internal and external silence to receive the unconditional love Jesus offered to each of us by his crucifixion.  *Finally, you might find some time this week to go on a spiritual pilgrimage with Jesus, wherever you are. Regardless of the distance or time, invite Jesus to be your companion on your “spiritual walk” as you walk slowly (or saunter), quietly reflect, and graciously allow the prevailing distractions to pass. No agenda or prayers, simply a journey with the One who journeyed to the Cross and the  Resurrection. (Vinita Hampton Wright: How To Do Holy Week) Within the extended moments of silence we allow ourselves this Holy Week—whether in prayer or quiet reflection, may this poem entitled Silence by American poet, Langston Hughes, give is inspiration. I catch the pattern Of your silence Before you speak I do not need     To hear a word. In your silence Every tone I seek Is heard. God Bless, Fr. Tim FYI: “I try to make sense of life. I try to keep myself open to people, to laughter, to love, and to have faith. Remember who you are and whose you are.” (Sr. Thea Bowman, 1937-1990)