Pastor's Column 2-25-2024
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February 25, 2024Dear Parishioners,
As I was listing the announcements last weekend one thought crossed my mind: there is a lot going on! It is a happy reality about our parish (albeit I also understand if some people were thinking: “will these announcements ever end!?”), whether in our growing participation in ministries, our vibrant parish groups (and new ones), or even in the sounds of children crying at Mass. As an aside: hearing crying children at Mass is a good thing because it means our parish has a future. One of our parish groups, the Seniors, recently donated a new microwave oven to the church hall kitchen. I want to thank them for their generosity (the old microwave was more of a hazard than a convenience).
Back to the season. We are well into the Season of Lent and as with every Lent there have been several liturgical changes to the Mass. Just like in Advent we do not sing or say the Gloria during Lent (except if a feast of solemnity takes place during either season). The Gloria is a song of exaltation and joy, whereas Lent and Advent are penitential and fasting seasons. When we think about fasting we should expand our concept of fasting to include not only abstaining from food or drink, but other sensual pleasures which will train us to understand in body and mind the sacrificial nature of Lent. That in turn leads to a greater appreciation and enjoyment of the many pleasures God has given us in this world.
The other things that change during Lent are: no purely instrumental music (there must always be a vocalist for music in Lent), the priest wears violet vestments, no singing or saying the Alleluia at the Gospel, no flowers in the sanctuary (except on Laetare Sunday), scriptural readings during Mass focus on repentance, the practice of virtue, and the growing opposition to Christ, during the Triduum the holy water fonts are emptied (to prepare for the blessing of water at the Easter vigil), and after the Fifth Sunday of Lent statues and crosses will be covered.
Regarding the music at Mass, you might have noticed longer stretches of silence during Mass. This is not Brother Roger taking a break. Instead, as stated above, the Church wants us to embrace more time for silence in the liturgy. Hence purely instrumental music (preludes, postludes, improvisation to fill transitions in the liturgy), are forbidden during Lent. This can be awkward for us, at least at first. Many of us are not accustomed to silence in life considering we are filled with noise throughout our daily lives. I ask us to embrace the increase in silence during this season so that we can reduce distractions and more readily hear God speaking.
Lent is a season in which we gradually enter into Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Through the liturgy and everything else going on here at the parish, we are preparing for Easter.
Happy Lent!
Fr. Barrow
