This Sunday marks the last two weeks of Lent leading into Easter Sunday. As Catholics entered church this Sunday we noticed the church had taken on a somber appearance. The statues were covered with purple cloths and there were no decorations on the altar. This is getting the congregation ready for Easter Sunday.
Activities will continue this week with the Stations of the Cross on Friday. This week leads in to Palm Sunday.
When palms will be distributed to the parishioners as the priest proceeds to the altar in the fashion as the procession of the Lord on that Palm Sunday way back. We are now in one of the holiest weeks in the church calendar. We find Holy Thursday leading us into Good Friday. You will find most churches having the stations of the Cross which observes the Passion of the Lord.
The Holy Saturday vigil is very important in most churches. On Saturday evening a special service is held that will take in new members of the church. It is a relatively long service but a beautiful and meaningful service. It is my understanding that approximately 30 new members will be welcomed into the Immaculate Conception Church.
The Sunday morning service will be one of beauty and the church will be filled with beautiful flowers and music will abound to welcome in a meaningful Easter morning. This is what we have been waiting for when we started this journey forty days ago with Ash Wednesday and fasting and prayers.
Easter Sunday features egg hunts and the gathering of family for a meal usually featuring a ham. Plastic eggs are used in hunts and are filled with treats for the kiddies. The flower of choice is the lily and most mothers and grandmothers will receive one to decorate their homes. A custom of the past which seems to have not been reintroduced was the wearing of a corsage, but then the wearing of hats is no longer.
One of the longest traditions of Easter is the Easter Bread. Some families gather together to make it and enjoy a warm slice slathered with butter as it comes out of the oven.
I urge you to prepare yourself for Easter and to include all of your family. Renew your soul and remember the reason for the season. Happy Easter from the Queen family to your family and until next week “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”
