The Good News

Holy Week begins this weekend with Palm Sunday.

See our bulletin or website for a complete schedule of all Mass times and events.

Most Catholics are aware of the Lenten traditions of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. Besides eating meat on Fridays, there are a few other things that we do not do during Lent. There is one particular word that we don’t say during this Holy season simply because of it’s powerful meaning.

Alleluia.

The word “Alleluia” comes to us from Hebrew and it means “praise Yahweh” or “praise the Lord.” Traditionally, it has been seen as the chief term of praise of the choirs of angels, as they worship around the throne of God in Heaven. It is, therefore, a term of great joy, and our use of the Alleluia during Mass is a way of participating in the angels’ worship.

During Lent, however, our focus is on the Kingdom coming, not on the Kingdom already having come. The readings in the Masses for Lent focus heavily on the spiritual journey of Old Testament Israel toward the coming of Christ, and the salvation of mankind in His death on Good Friday and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

We Christians today are on a spiritual journey as well, toward the Second Coming of Christ and our future life in Heaven. In order to emphasize the penitential nature of that journey, the Catholic Church, during Lent, removes the Alleluia from the Mass.

It’s a beautiful tradition of our faith. Fasting from saying “Alleluia” during the Lenten time of sacrifice and repentance helps us appreciate the depth and meaning of the word. If you go through all of Lent, but don’t experience the release of great joy with the news of the Risen Lord on Easter Sunday, then you are missing the point of this season. This practice also serves to remind us that although this life may be filled with trials, sacrifice, and struggles, there is an incredible joy that awaits us when we reach heaven.

Participating in the Easter Mass we are “the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead” (Acts 10:41) and we joyfully praise the Lord — and sing with him the word so long suppressed. Alleluia!

If you have children, a meaningful way to help them understand the “why” behind fasting from this word is to bury the Alleluia on Ash Wednesday and then have them search for it on Easter Sunday.

WHAT IS CRS RICE BOWL? CRS STANDS FOR CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES.

It is a flat cardboard box that we assemble into a donation box in the shape of a "rice bowl". This project is CRS' faith in action Lenten Program for families, individuals and faith communities. Please see the attachment or for more info, go to crsricebowl.org.

WHAT YOU GIVE UP FOR LENT CHANGES LIVES!

• 1 out of 8 people on earth suffer from hunger, 98% live in the developing world
• $1 a day for 40 days of Lent means: 3 months of clean water for 4 families, 2 years of seed for a farmer, 1 month of food for a family
• More than 13,000 catholic parishes and schools across the United States participate in Rice Bowl

HOW ARE DONATIONS USED?

Driven by our faith, we are committed to help those in need no matter where they may live. In that spirit, 75 percent of your gift supports CRS’ programs around the world. Some examples include:

• Agriculture projects help farmers improve harvests
• Water and sanitation projects bring clean water to communities
• Microfinance projects support small businesses
• Mother and child health projects offer health and nutrition services
• Education projects provide resources and training

25 percent of your donations go to hunger and poverty alleviation efforts in our own community!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

Place your rice bowl in a prominent spot (on your dinner table) as a reminder for you and your family and a place to collect the money you saved through your sacrifices.

• Pray: to encounter Christ in your life and in every member of our human family.
• Fast: to encounter the obstacles preventing you from serving God and your neighbor. Share meatless meals or give up your favorite food or activity to experience going without (a sacrifice).
• Give: to encounter our brothers and sisters around the world by sharing your Lenten Sacrifices. Put money you saved from your sacrifice into your rice bowl. Bring your rice bowl to church on Palm Sunday to be collected in the Gathering Space. You may also drop off at any time through April 7 to the Faith Formation or Parish Office.

Our office recently learned about a youth ministry opportunity surrounding the solar eclipse. St. Mary’s, Sts. Mary & Martha, and Our Lady of the Snow in the Auburn area are offering two gatherings on the solar eclipse. These gatherings will include a meal, Mass, hike, talk by Dr. Jonathan I. Lunine, Professor and Chair of the Department of Astronomy at Cornell University. Both gatherings are free, but reservations are required by Wednesday, March 20 (sorry for the short notice...even if you miss the deadline register anyway they may be able to get you in). You can find more information attached. Questions and reservation requests can be directed to Christie at Christie.Blaisdell@dor.org.

Holy Trinity Vacation Bible School (VBS) July 8-12, 2024

Kids entering Grades K-5 (fall 2024) are invited to join a fun-filled four days of stories, puppet shows, music & motion, indoor and outdoor games and activities, art projects, and snacks to explore the Bible, Church teaching, and the Saints!

Registration will open in April.

Volunteers in Grades 6+ and adults are also invited to join us!!

Email Tricia.Kull@dor.org for more information.

For more information about our programs you may contact Tricia Kull, Faith Formation Coordinator at (585) 265-4750 or tricia.kull@dor.org

Contact for Children's Liturgy, Faith Formation (Religious Education), Sacrament Preparation (Baptism, First Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation), RCIC Program, Middle and High School Youth Ministry, Youth Christian Service Opportunities.

Email: tricia.kull@dor.org
Website: holytrinityweb.com
Location: 1460 Ridge Road, Webster, NY, USA
Phone: (585) 265-4750
Facebook: www.facebook.com/holytrinitywebster/