Kaukauna Catholic Parishes

Peace in Christ! It is Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. My wife Peggy and I celebrate our 47^th wedding anniversary today. God has blessed us in so many ways.

In the first reading from the Prophet Isaiah, “The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.” Wouldn’t it be nice if we could speak with a well-trained tongue once in a while? Isaiah continues, “God opens my ear that I may hear.” Wouldn’t it be nice to listen more effectively, both to God and family members? Isaiah says, “The Lord God is my help.” Since God has promised to be with us always, let’s remember to pray to God unceasingly. We are called to listen and respond to God’s Word.  

Our Gospel from Luke tells us, “Jesus proceeded on his journey to Jerusalem.” “As he rode along, the people were spreading their cloaks on the road. The whole multitude of his disciples began to praise God aloud with joy.” They proclaimed: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.” However, things took a turn as the mission of Jesus unfolded. We read the Passion which recounts the journey of Jesus to his death on a cross, which brought salvation to all.

In the second reading, from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians, Paul looks back on the life of Jesus: “Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him: Jesus Christ is Lord.”

Holy Week has begun. A key event is the Chrism Mass with Bishop David Ricken and all other parishes of the Diocese on Tuesday at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay. We receive the oils to be used for the coming year. These oils will be brought forward at the Holy Thursday service the night we have the washing of the feet and allow time for Eucharistic Adoration afterward, recognizing Jesus in our midst.

We invite you to attend the Good Friday services. This is an opportunity to adore the cross of Christ  (previously known as venerating the cross) and receive Holy Communion. We also have other expressions of faith - Some area youth will take part in a Food Fast at Holy Cross Parish with a contemporary prayer service at      7:30 pm. 

St. Katharine Drexel has a Tenebrae Service at 8:00 pm at St. Mary Church. Saturday is the culmination of the Holy Triduum with the Easter Vigil. There will be fire, candles, water, some great readings and singing. We continue to celebrate the Risen Lord on Easter Sunday morning. As Missionary Disciples, please don’t take this for granted, as we discover, live and share Jesus. God bless.

Deacon Steve