Around the Parish – April 9, 2023
Jesus is Risen! Alleluia! What a glorious sound it is to hear that word again, Alleluia! For these past forty-six days, we have been devoid of this beautiful word that means so much to our faith. Alleluia (sometimes written “Hallelujah”) is rooted in a Hebrew expression that means “praise the Lord.” It is found most often as a type of antiphon that is repeated at the end of the Psalms. It is also found in the book of Tobit, where it is referenced as a hymn of praise to be sung in the new Jerusalem:
The gates of Jerusalem shall be built of sapphire, and of emerald, and all the walls thereof round about of precious stones. All its streets shall be paved with white and clean stones: and Alleluia shall be sung in its streets. (Tobit 13:22)
Saint Jerome is responsible for the translation of the Hebrew expression to the word “Alleluia” in the Latin Vulgate, which was then used in the Roman liturgy. It is and always has been an expression of praise, glorifying God for his goodness. For this reason Alleluia is closely associated with a season of joy, and is in stark contrast with the somber penitential attitude of Lent.
Next Sunday for Divine Mercy Sunday, we will have adoration from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm with the Sung Chaplet of Divine Mercy. I encourage everyone to take some time on Divine Mercy Sunday to thank God for His great gift of Mercy.
On Saturday, May 6, we will have a parish spring cleanup day. Many hands will make light work, so any help that you might be able to give on that day will be greatly appreciated. We will begin at 9:00 am and spend the morning around the parish campus to clean up our grounds. On that same day, we will have a spring plant sale on our campus as well. A great way to get our church and homes all spruced up for the upcoming summer months!
In May, our Sunday Mass schedule is set to return to 8 am and 10:30 am. Before we make that decision, we want to make sure that is the best time for summer. In the bulletin for the next few weeks, a form will be available to select your favored option for the Summer Sunday Schedule. We ask that you only return one form per family. You can place the form in the collection basket or mail it to the parish office.
For the months of May—August, our Mass schedule is set to change from 11 am to 10:30 am. We are asking all parishioners to circle their preferred option below and return to the parish office via the collection or mailing in your response.
Option 1: 8:00 am & 11:00 am
Option 2: 8:00 am & 10:30 am
Option 3: 8:00 am & 10:00 am
Here’s a thought for your week: Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song. –Pope Saint John Paul II
Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy
The IHM 300 Club will be a special 6 month raffle, and more information about this can be found in today’s bulletin, as well as on our website. Tickets will begin being sold after all the masses. Tickets can also always be purchased through the parish office.
