Chrism Mass 2014

What happens at the Chrism Mass?
At the Offertory, the three Holy Oils are carried up to the sanctuary by concelebrating priests with gifts of bread and wine offered up by the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

Blessing of the Oil of the Sick.
The Oil of the Sick is blessed by the Bishop during the Eucharistic Prayer. Before the Bishop says “Through Christ our Lord/ you give us all these gifts” in Eucharistic Prayer I or the doxology “Through Him” in the other Eucharistic  prayers, the one who carried the vessel for oil of the sick brings it in front of the Bishop while he blesses the oil.
After the blessing, the vessel of the oil of the sick is returned to its place, and the Mass continues until the Communion Rite is completed.

Blessing of the Oil of the Catechumens
Following the Prayer after Communion, the concelebrating priests place the oils to be blessed on a table located in the center of the sanctuary. The concelebrating priests stand around the Bishop on either side, in a semicircle and the other ministers stand behind him. The Bishop then faces the people, and with his hands extended prays the prayer of blessing over the oil of catechumens.

Consecration of the Chrism
Then the Bishop pours the balsam or perfume in the oil and mixes the Chrism in silence, after which he says the invitation. The Bishop then breathes over the open vessel which contains the Chrism and sings or prays the Consecratory Prayer. This is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, who blew over the face of the waters before creation and of the risen Jesus, who appeared to his disciples and breathed on them saying “Receive the Holy Spirit...,” (John 20, 22-23). It is the Holy Spirit who consecrates this oil through the Bishop’s invocation. During this time, all concelebrating priests will join in silence, by extending their right hands toward the Chrism, signifying their participation in his authority, through which Christ Himself sanctifies and builds up His body, the Church.
At the end of the liturgy, the holy oils are distributed to the priests of the diocese, for their respective parishes.

It is recommended that each parish keep the vessels containing the Holy Oil in a special clear glass cabinet called an ambry, were they can be viewed by all the faithful. Many newer churches have an ambry, which is usually located close to the baptismal font. It reminds all who see it of the anointing which unites and strengthens us to live as one body in Christ, and comes to us through ministry of His Church.

On Monday April 14th, the Annual Chrism Mass will be held at St. Benedict’s Church, La Romaine at 5pm. Our parish representatives are Irvin & Ingrid Coutou.

PARISH FLASHBACK: Parish Representatives Dhanielle Smith (left) and Brent Durham (right) collecting the oils of catechumens from Deacon Tristram at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception back in 2011.

Picture Courtesy: CAMSEL

Holy Week

This week, the Catholic Church celebrates the most important week of its liturgical year - Holy Week. Holy Week consists of Palm Sunday which opens the solemn week and it is a build up towards the Easter Triduum which consists of Holy Thursday (The Last Supper), Good Friday (The Crucifixion & Death of Jesus Christ, Our Lord) and Gloria Saturday (The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Our Lord). The season of Lent officially comes to a close on Holy Thursday. Let us now look closely to the significance of each day.

On Palm Sunday, we celebrate the first joy of the season, as we acknowledge Our Lord's triumphant entrance into Jerusalem where he was welcomed by crowds worshiping him and laying down palm leaves before him.

On Holy Thursday, we celebrate the Last Supper in which Christ broke bread with his twelve apostles around table. It was at this time that Jesus washed the feet of his apostles and was aware that one of the twelve were to betray him. Following the sacred supper, Christ spent the entire night in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane which was immediately followed by his arrest and taken before the chief priests and scribes. As a Church, we are encouraged to 'eat' with Christ. The Priest consecrates enough Eucharist at this mass since no consecration is allowed during the Good Friday service.

On Good Friday, outside the gates of Jerusalem, Jesus was ordered to be crucified. During that time, it was the cruelest way for any human to die. After being crowned with thorns, spat upon, insulted, beaten with whips, humiliated, stripped of his own garments, nailed to a cross, drunk gall and vinegar, and pierced by a lance, Jesus finally breathed his last after three hours of agony on the cross. As a Church we are encouraged to 'die' with Christ. A Eucharistic Service, not a Mass, formally known as The Passion and Veneration of the Cross, is conducted at 3PM to commemorate the hour Christ died. During this liturgy, general intercessions are offered up and the faithful venerate the Holy Cross.

On Gloria Saturday, the church remains closed since no masses are allowed to take place before the Vigil Hour (usually 6pm and beyond). As a Church we are to remain 'low' with Christ. However, when the Easter Vigil officially begins, we celebrate Jesus Christ coming out of the tomb. The Easter Vigil liturgy is the most beautiful liturgy in the Roman Catholic Church. It marks the beginning of Easter season and it is divided into four (4) parts: The Service of Light, the Liturgy of the Word, The Liturgy of Baptism and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

The Service of Light - The service begins outside the church. A new fire is lit and blessed. The Priest lights a special candle called 'The Paschal Candle' which symbolizes Christ as the Light of the World. The candle is then processed through the church, which the Deacon lifts at three different times, singing: Christ our light (Lumen Christi) and the congregation replies: Thanks be to God (Deo gratias). Everyone lights their candle from the Easter candle and continue in procession and the Deacon then chants the Exsultet (The Easter Proclamation).

The Liturgy of the Word; while the Church remains in complete darkness, the second part of the Celebration begins, the Liturgy of the Word. At this point, the faithful listen to God's word and meditate on the wonderful works which he has done for his people since the beginning of time. Nine (9) readings are done; seven (7) from the Old Testament, One from the New Testament which is called the Epistle and the Gospel. The Gloria is sung before the reading of the Epistle, and the Alleluia is sung before the Gospel.

The Liturgy of Baptism; During this time the Easter water is blessed, new members are brought into the Church through baptism, and the faithful are blessed with water and renew their baptismal promises.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist; The Mass resumes at this point and the whole church is now called to join in the sacrificial table that Christ prepared for us through his death and resurrection. The rest of the Liturgy continues as normal. As a Church we are to 'rise' with Christ.

Easter Sunday, Holy Mass is celebrated only in a condensed fashion.

At St. Joseph/ Mt. D'or our Easter Triduum goes as follows:
Holy Thursday: 6.30PM at St. Joseph R.C. Church (please walk with a loaf of bread)
Good Friday: Stations of the Cross beginning at the Church at 6AM and Passion and Veneration of the Cross at 3PM at St. Joseph R.C. Church
Gloria Saturday: Easter Vigil at 9PM at St. Joseph R.C. Church (please walk with your candles)
Easter Sunday: 7AM at St. Jude's Chapel and 8:30AM at St. Joseph R.C. Church
Easter Monday: 7AM at St. Joseph R.C. Church.

Here are some images of last year's Easter Triduum Celebrations:

 

 

 

Parish Notices for Holy Week

1. There will be a choir practice before Triduum on Sunday (tomorrow/today) 13^th April at 3 pm. All musicians are also invited. So that together we can make our celebration beautiful. 
2. At the Last Supper Meal, Jesus broke bread and shared with his disciples. Our Holy Thursday tradition we are encouraged to bring a loaf of bread which will be distributed to the poor and needy. 
3. Twice yearly, the collection at Christmas and Easter Masses only throughout the Archdiocese are pooled. It is from this collection that the priests& administrators serving in our archdiocese receive their monthly income.  Please give generously.
4. Attention! To celebrate St. Joseph our Protector and to build bridges between us we would like to invite you to participate in Run – 5K run from St. Michaels Parish to St. Joseph Church – early in the morning on Saturday (3^rd of May). A beautiful opportunity to have fun together, to burn something and do something positive as the entire family. The event is organized by our two parishes: St. Michaels and St. Joseph. On the Catholic News stand you may still collect the registration form; you may leave there or in the sacristy filled forms. The cost is 40$ per person. Children younger than 10 years old and above 70 years old – free. Please come and run and help us to organize – again – water, snacks, and prizes. 
5. The schedule for the Holy Triduum of the Passover of the Lord:
   • Holy Thursday: Holy Mass of the Last Supper of the Lord at 6.30 pm; After the mass: Vigil led by TVY to 10 pm; 
   • Good Friday: Ecumenical Stations of the Cross at 6 am (we meet in the church and leave for the Calvary Hill); Tenebrae (Divine Office) at 8.30 am; Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord at 3 pm; After the Celebration: Vigil led by the Charismatic Group to 7 pm; 
   • Gloria Saturday: Tenebrae at 8.30 am; Easter Vigil at 9 pm – this is the most beautiful and the most important mass of the Liturgical Year all are invited. Please, bring a new candle. Kindly place the candle in a styrotex cup or cone to prevent the candle wax from failing on the floor or pews. 
   • Easter Sunday: Holy Mass at Dawn at 7 am in St. Jude’s Chapel in Mt. D’or. Holy Mass of the Day at 8.30 am in St. joseph Church in St. Joseph. 
   • Octave of the Easter: Easter Monday: Mass at 7 am, all are invited to continue our celebration. 
   • From Easter Tuesday masses at 6 am. 
    

Blessings to ALL our parishioners this week! 

Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life - A Lenten Reflection

Jesus clearly points out in John 11:25 that "I am the Resurrection and the Life, whoever believes in me will live, even after death". Taking the words of Jesus himself, we must make this our life motto. You see, we live in a world that is filled with so much desires of the flesh that we, as humans, have lost our passion and zeal for what matters the most and that is Jesus Christ.
As I have mentioned in my past Lenten reflections, the season of Lent is about renewal. In this season, we are given a second chance to recommit our covenant with Jesus Christ. Now that we have are almost towards the end of our Lenten Journey and the start of our Easter celebrations, we must do one thing - we must die to our former selves in order to rise to new life with Christ Jesus, as St. Paul states in the letter to the Romans.
The Easter Triduum must be a journey for each one us. On Holy Thursday, we are called to 'eat' with Jesus, Good Friday we are called to 'die' with him and on Gloria Saturday night, we are called to 'rise' out of the tomb with him and start our new life with him.
What does 'dying of ourselves' mean? It simply means to leave behind our old habits and start anew and the Easter season is a perfect opportunity for us to do just that. These bad habits may include addictions, ignorance and lack of forgiveness to name a few. As Jesus gave Lazarus a second chance to life by resurrecting him, he is also giving us that same opportunity. We just have to cease the moment!
Neglecting ourselves from this new life means to not progress with Jesus. Sure we live in a carnal world, but that does not mean we must give in to the sins of our society. When we rise to new life with Jesus, he equips us with his Holy Spirit to be a light in the midst of all darkness that is around us.
While it will be a difficult to fight the temptations of falling back into our former bad habits, we are urged to call on the Holy Spirit of Jesus because he promises us that 'He is with us'. Once we have acknowledged Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life, we will all be saved even after death.
So as we journey towards our the Easter Celebrations, may we be open to entering into the tomb with him and rising out with him. Glory to God!

--B. Durham, 2014

5K Marathon

 

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Parish Notices for the 5th Sunday in Lent

1. Lent is almost over, the coming days are consecrated for the meditation of the Passion, that means the suffering and death of Jesus for our salvation. Next weekend we celebrate Palm Sunday. 
2. On Tuesday, April 8th at 6PM, Our Lady of the Rosary Charismatic Prayer Group will host a Lenten Healing Mass. The celebrant: Fr. Reginald Hezekiah. You can bring Olive Oil, Salt and Water so that Father can bless it during the Mass. 
3. On Wednesday, 9^th April @ 6pm we will have another opportunity for Confessions. There will be a Penitential Service followed by Individual Confession. On Thursday, 10^th of April at 6 pm Confessions will take place in St. Theresa Parish in Barataria and in the church in Santa Cruz. Please use this opportunity to reconcile ourselves with God and the Community. 
4. Fridays of Lent – Way of the on the Calvary at 6pm and at Mt. D’or Stations of the Cross - at 5.30pm. At 12 noon there will be an Ecumenical Lenten Service in Holy Savior Anglican Parish, Curepe. All are welcomed! 
5. All about Natural Fertility Regulation is the theme of the seminar organized by the Family Life Commission. Saturday 12^th April, 3pm to 5pm, Fatima Parish Hall, Curepe. See Notice Board for more details. 
6. The meeting of the Social Justice Ministry, St. Joseph/Mt. D'or parish, will take place on the Saturday 12th April in the Parish Hall @ 4pm. 
7. The exercise to renew Leases in Church Yard and King Street cemeteries ends on Wednesday of Holy Week – April 16^th. All cemetery spots not renewed by this date will revert back to the parish. Please call the Parish office to schedule an appointment before coming. 
8. Archdiocesan Catechetical Office invites everyone to “Resurrect Your Faith” series of talks about teaching of the Church. On Saturdays of May, in the Bourg Malatresse Parish Hall, from 2.30 – 5 pm. For more details and to register, please contact Mrs. Lynette Taitte. 
9. Attention! To celebrate St. Joseph our Protector and to build bridges between us we would like to invite you to participate in a 5K marathon from St. Michaels Parish to St. Joseph Church – early in the morning on Saturday (3^rd of May). It will be a beautiful opportunity to have fun together, to burn something and do something positive as the entire family. The event is organized by our two parishes: St. Michaels and St. Joseph. On the Catholic News stand you may collect the registration forms, which should be brought back to the Church next weekend. The cost is 40$ per person. Children younger than 10 years old and Adults above 70 years old are admitted free. Who will be faster than Deacon Jeffrey? Please come and run and help us to organize. Donations for water, snacks, prizes would be appreciated.

Blessings to ALL our parishioners this week!