The Rite of Candidacy
Last Sunday, 27 men were received in the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders.
These men are attending instruction to become Permanent Deacons for the Diocese of Tucson. Their intention to become Deacons and receive Holy Orders is done publicly and the Bishop accepts their intention.
The ceremony is a simple one, but it is the first official step as these men continue on their journey toward Ordination. Pray that they may continue to persevere in this call to service in our parish communities.
Photo by Ofelia James
How is your Lent going?
Check out Bishop Weisenburger’s Lenten Minutes on our diocesan homepage at www.diocesetucson.org. Each week, Bishop suggests ideas for meditation or different ideas to ponder. Look for the icon above to locate the video at the diocese homepage or view the video on Bishop Weisenburger’s Facebook page.
The video for the Fifth of Lent was posted last Friday.
My Palm Sunday reflection will be posted on Friday, April 12 and the reflection for the Triduum will be posted on Monday, April 15.
A great end of Lent tool
Daily meditations can be a very good way to continue our journeys as we approach Palm Sunday with its recitation of Christ’s Passion and as we begin walking through Holy Week.
I encourage you to visit http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/ There you will find a calendar, where with a simple click on each day of the week, you will find a meditation.
Each meditation includes a reflection, or rather words to reflect on for that day, a prayer, then a call to action based on the Gospel reading of the day.
These are not long or difficult readings or tasks, and the meditations may be just what is needed to bring Christ closer.
P.S. The interactive calendar begins with Ash Wednesday. To use meditations for this week or next, scroll down a bit and you will see April’s days of the week.
Chrism Mass: Monday, April 15
2 p.m., St. Augustine Cathedral Parish
This Mass includes the blessing of the holy oils used throughout the year by parishes. It is a beautiful liturgy and will take place at 2 p.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral. Representatives from each parish will be there, and many pastors also will attend to collect the oils for their parishes. The sacramental oils I will bless during the liturgy are the oil of catechumens, the oil of the sick and sacred chrism.
Sacred or holy chrism is olive oil-based and is mixed with small amounts of balm or balsam. It is used during the sacraments of confirmation, baptism, the ordination of priests and the consecration of churches and bishops.
Welcome!
Congratulations to Salvatorian Brother Silas Henderson who has been appointed Executive Director of Jordan Ministry Team in Tucson, effective April 8.
Sister Jane Eschweiler, SDS, who has been serving as interim director, will remain on the JMT Board of Directors. Other personnel changes will include adding more Salvatorians to the team. Please check out the ministry Jordan Ministry Team is providing, including the new Lüthen Lecture Series, Faith Exploration Discussion Group, and Busy-People's Retreats, at www.jordanministry.org.
Please pray for
-For the full recovery of Msgr. Richard O’Keeffe in Yuma, who continues to recover from health issues.
-For the full recovery of Kathy Bent, mother of Katheryn Hutchinson, program manager for Grants at the Catholic Foundationwho also has been hospitalized for several days.
Upcoming
Living Stations of the Cross - Via Cruces
A live re-enactment of Christ's path toward crucifixion.
3 p.m. April 19
Begins at San Cosme Chapel
460 W. Simpson St. (about 3 blocks south and west of St. Augustine Cathedral)