Dear Parishioners,

Continuing to reflect on those liturgical gestures that are reserved to the priest celebrant at Mass, there is a sub-category of these gestures that pertain to the sacred elements alone, i.e., the bread and wine before or after the words of consecration.

Dear Parishioners,

Continuing my reflections on the liturgical gestures that are woven throughout the Mass, it is important to take note of those that are particular to the priest celebrant. One of these is The Kiss. Just as a kiss in ordinary moments of life is an expression of loving affection, so too in the Mass. At the beginning of each Mass, after the ministers enter the sanctuary, the priest (and the deacon) reverences the altar table with a kiss. They will do the same at the end of the Mass before they recess. Some people believed the altar was kissed because relics of saints were enclosed on the top of it, that portion of the altar called the mensa.

Dear Parishioners,

In my bulletin article from last week, I began a series of reflections on liturgical gestures focusing mainly on the Sign of the Cross and the various times and ways this embodied action is woven throughout the Mass. This week I invite us to consider another gesture in the Mass, namely Striking One’s Breast.

Dear Parishioners,

In my remaining weeks at St. Joan of Arc Parish, I would like to share some insights on a number of the fundamental components of the liturgy such as gesture, posture and vesture. These components are not unique to Roman Catholic worship, nor are they exclusive elements in any organized religion. They are some of the basic building blocks of all ritual language, religious or secular.

Dear Parishioners,

I am pleased to welcome on our parish staff, Sr. Deborah Campbell, SP, as our new business manager. Sr. Deborah replaces Lori Trinche who held this position for 2 years. Grateful for the dutiful and dedicated service that Lori brought to our parish, I wish her the blessings of success and prosperity as she undertakes her new but similar position at another faith community.

Dear Parishioners,

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed.

We are basking in the joy of the Easter Season, which began here at St. Joan of Arc with one of the loveliest and most prayerful Paschal Triduums I have ever been privileged to be a part of.

The Paschal Triduum is a sequence of three days, each of which begins the evening before:

Dear Parishioners,

Life is filled with surprises! We all recognize this because we have all experienced this. There are those who live for such surprises – those for whom things like unexpected parties, unannounced guests, sudden good news and unimagined changes become exhilarating and life-giving. There are others who dread surprises. They prefer life to be organized and predictable because this guarantees them the security, safety and comfort which makes the world manageable.

Dear Parishioners,

Today we begin Holy Week – that sequence of days which we observe each year that are marked by ancient and solemn rituals, lengthy but profound readings from Scripture and a rich variety of domestic and church related activities that give this week a uniqueness above all others. Within Holy Week, the days of Thursday, Friday and Saturday/Sunday have a distinct prominence because of the historical events that they commemorate in the life of Jesus. Even the way we name these days reveals their significance, i.e., Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

Dear Parishioners,

By now most of you have learned that I will be leaving the position as pastor of St. Joan of Arc at the end of this coming June. As of July 1, a diocesan priest(s) of Joliet will assume this role. As with any transition of this sort, there is a good deal of curiosity and speculation regarding the rationale behind the decision for such a change. While I believe this is a normal, even healthy reaction, in the end most people look for clarity to help assimilate the change. To this end, I hope to offer some clarity by means of the following explanation. I also hope to dispel some of the rumors that have been circulating since the announcement of my departure was made.

Dear Parishioners,

The word "Lent" is thought to have come from an old Germanic word that means "to lengthen." Fittingly, it was also used as the word for "spring" since during this time of year the days lengthen visibly as the sunlight increases. Typically Lent begins while winter lingers on tenaciously perhaps hoping to immobilize us with one last blast of snow and ice.

One Last Column, Ever Grateful

For more than five years, I have been blessed to share my thoughts with you in this monthly column. When I first began writing, it took me a very long time to craft each reflection. I often wondered if anyone was reading them or if they would make any difference at all.

Dear Parishioners,

With today's feast of the Lord's Baptism we commemorate another "Epiphany" or manifestation of Jesus. This manifestation is not of the child Jesus lying in a manger but of the adult Christ who comes to the river Jordan to be baptized by John. Although Jesus is sinless and has no need of a ritual purification, he nonetheless steps into a river to demonstrate his solidarity with sinful humanity whom he has come to save. As he emerges from the waters of chaos Jesus is revealed as God's Beloved Son chosen to reveal God's love to the world.

Dear Parishioners,

On this great feast of the Lord's Epiphany we are blessed to be given a second blast of Christmas joy as we recall the exotic visitors - these Magi from the east who traveled by night in search of a newborn king. They are only mentioned in Matthew's gospel with very little information as to their whereabouts, their number and their ultimate purpose in searching for this king. In Christian imagination and artwork there are three Magi depicted, frequently portrayed as royal figures.