Holy Week

04-03-2020Weekly ReflectionFr. Will Schmid

Dear Parishioners of San Francisco de Asís,

It is hard to believe we made it through another week without the public celebration of the Eucharist. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like this pandemic is going away any time soon. We will likely be without public Masses through the month of April. I know that this is very difficult news to hear and accept. In times like this we must remember the words of St. Paul in Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me." Continue trusting in the Lord, building up your home as a "domestic church," praying for an end to this pandemic, and interceding for those who have been affected by Covid-19, especially those who are dying.

One of the graces that I have received over the past two weeks is all the positive feedback on our parish and school's use of technology and social media during this time of crisis and how much it is helping your families. It is a joy for Fr. Matt, Fr. Dan, and myself to live-stream our daily Mass together, our Friday Stations of the Cross, and to offer you a short podcast each day to help you stay connected to the Lord, our parish, and your priests. Our parish and school staff is working very hard to provide quality online learning opportunities. This is new to us all and we hope to keep producing quality sessions for you to grow in your faith and discipleship with Jesus Christ.

I am writing this letter to you to provide another opportunity for all of us to continue growing in the grace of Jesus Christ. As you likely know, next week is "Holy Week." For many of us, it will be a strange experience to celebrate the holiest week of the year at home and not in a church. However, the Diocese of Phoenix's Office of Worship and the SFDA parish staff and clergy have been working hard to provide a program for you to follow at home that will hopefully make this Holy Week something special. First, let me walk you through what SFDA is offering you this coming week. Our schedule will be as follows:

Palm Sunday, Apr 5: 10:30am Mass on Facebook live
Monday of Holy Week, Apr 6: 12:15pm Mass on Instagram live
Tuesday of Holy Week, Apr 7: 12:15pm Mass on Instagram live
Wednesday of Holy Week, Apr 8: 12:15pm Mass on Instagram live

Holy Thursday, Apr 9:

• The Adoration Chapel will close at 12:00pm and will reopen again on Easter Sunday at 8:00am
• 7:00pm Mass on Facebook live

Good Friday, Apr 10:

• "Drive-Thru" Confessions - 9:00am-12:00pm at SFDA (with Fr. Will, Fr. Dan, and Fr. Matt)
• Good Friday Service - 3:00pm on Facebook live
• English Stations of the Cross - 6:00pm on Facebook live
• Spanish Stations of the Cross - 7:30pm on Facebook live

Easter Vigil, Apr 11:

• "Drive-Thru" Confessions - 9:00-11:00am at SFDA (with Fr. Will, Fr. Dan, and Fr. Matt)
• 7:45pm Mass on Facebook live (since there will be no celebration of Baptisms and Confirmations, this Mass will be much shorter than normal)

Easter Sunday, Apr 12:

• Adoration Chapel reopens at 8:00am
• 10:30am English Mass on Facebook live
• 12:15pm Spanish Mass on Facebook live

Due to the rainy forecast on Wednesday and Thursday of next week, we will have to wait and see about holding confessions at a different time other than Good Friday. We plan on offering an additional time, but we will need to make that decision as we get closer. We will keep you posted!

Second, I want to provide you with two incredible online resources that will help you and your family to celebrate Holy Week in your "domestic church" - your home. The first link contains a suggestion from a religious community called, "the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit." Due to the fact that we are unable to distribute palms on Palm Sunday, they are suggesting an ancient way of celebrating Palm Sunday that is new to us. In the 6th century, when the faith had grown to Northern Europe, it was not possible for people to use palms or olive branches. Such branches were not readily available to them. Instead, they used branches from other trees. Since we will not have palm branches this year, the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit are suggesting that we place any green branch we can acquire on the front doors of our home to stay connected to the mysteries of Holy Week.

https://thedeaconsbench.com/a-beautiful-idea-for-palm-sunday/

In addition, the Diocese of Phoenix's Office of Worship has put together an amazing Holy Week digital booklet that your family can use as a spiritual guide to celebrate these mysteries in your home. It is one of the best spiritual resources for families that I have ever seen. It gives the Mass readings and prayers for the entire week, links to videos and activities for your family, and songs for you to learn and sing throughout the week and the entire Easter season. I am sending it to you now so that you can begin to explore the many options available to you. Through this resource we have the capacity to make this Holy Week the best one yet.

https://instantflipbook.com/flipbooks/f872d73651/?page=1

Finally, I want to continue to express my deep gratitude to all of you who have been able to financially support our parish during this difficult time. We have been greatly encouraged by how many families have switched to online giving and have either dropped off or mailed in their contribution envelopes. Every financial contribution is a blessing that helps us continue our mission. If you are interested in making an online contribution, we have an online giving banner on our website that makes it easy and simple. We know that many families are experiencing economic hardships and are unable to give at this time. Please be assured of our continued prayers for you.

Peace in Christ,

Fr. Will