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Week 2007 continued at Holy Angels with the Seder Supper and Holy
Thursday liturgy. Father Taylor presided as the head of our parish
household weaving Old Testament and New Testament traditions. The
Seder Supper - the ancient Passover meal - reminded us of the deliverance
of our spiritual ancestors from bondage in Egypt. Pastor Taylor
explained the history and significance of the ritual observances
and the elements of the Passover meal. As he explained later, the
Seder was not primarily an occasion of fine dining and socializing,
but a meal eaten in haste in preparation for the flight from Egypt.
Our Seder and the Eucharist which followed are nourishment for our
spiritual and life journey in the service of one another, imitating
our Savior, Jesus the Christ - Son of God. Children of the parish
read parts of the service as is traditional. Family and friends
joined us as did Sister Mary Quinn - long time Pastoral Associate.
After the Seder the parish community gathered in the church to renew the last night of Christ's life before his agony in the garden, arrest, and crucifixion. This night's liturgy includes several unique elements. Father Taylor's renewed his pastoral commitment - assisted by Parish Council President Eugene Hawkins. Father Taylor washed the feet of parishioners in imitation of Jesus's service to the apostles. And parish leaders Eugene Hawkins, Gretchen Horne and Jim Flowers presented the blessed sacramental oils from the Archdiocesan Chrism Mass for use in sacraments throughout the year. For the first time in the forty days of lent, we hear the joyous words and music of the "Glory to God", but only for this night - the passion and death of our Savior must be observed before the ultimate triumph of the resurrection. The focus of this joyous Holy Thursday celebration is upon the establishment of the Eucharist, the fulfillment of the Passover meal, in which we are given the body and blood of our savior to be His permanent presence in our lives. The consecration, transformation, and sharing of the once bread and wine - now body and blood - is done as Jesus commanded us, in memory of Him. The Blessed Sacrament is taken from the church in solemn procession at the end of the Mass, reminding us of His journey to Gethsemane, and to the events of Good Friday. We sing "Praise We Christ's Immortal Body!" without the accompaniment of instruments. The Blessed Sacrament is enshrined in the "Repository" a beautifully decorated and candlelit altar in our daily chapel, for the time through Good Friday. The pastor and parishioners were to keep watch until the church closed at midnight. |
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Celebration
of the Eucharist
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Copyright
2007 Holy Angels Catholic Church