|
March 2008 Issue
Back
to Feature Articles
Bishop's column
| 
|
My
dear friends, With its frigid temperatures and record
snowfalls, winter 2008 has brought challenges and opportunities.
The snow enthusiast may find this an exhilarating season
offering an abundance of outdoor activities…others might
embrace it as an occasion to stay inside with a good
book or movie while the winds howl outside ... for others
donning coats, boots and gloves, not to mention the
rigors of daily shoveling, is a nuisance. |
The cold days of winter test our resiliency,
while at the same time imparting to us a greater appreciation
of the warmer weather to come. Just as winter leads us into
the season of spring, the Lenten traditions of prayer, fasting
and charity prepare us for the springtime of grace that comes
to us at Easter. Holy Week begins when we gather on Palm Sunday
to celebrate Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, followed
by the account of his Passion.
In the Diocese of Grand Rapids, priests, deacons,
religious and representatives from all of our parishes will
join me for the Chrism Mass on Tuesday evening of Holy Week.
During this Mass, we celebrate the gifts of priesthood, the
Eucharist and bless the sacred oils which will be used in
our parishes throughout the year for baptisms, anointing of
the sick and confirmations. On Holy Thursday, the first day
of the Triduum, we will assemble in our parishes to celebrate
the Mass of the Lord's Supper, marking the institution of
the Eucharist. Good Friday is the time when we remember the
death of the Lord, followed by Easter, when we recall his
triumphant victory over sin, darkness and death. Easter is
also the time that we formally receive and welcome new members
to the church at the Easter Vigil.
This year, our diocese will welcome 514 new
members. I encourage you to join in these sacred mysteries
by participating in all of the celebrations of Holy Week taking
place in your parish. Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter
are the great holy days of the church. It also would be an
honor to have you join me at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew
during these great holy days. The Cathedral schedule is located
on page 31. In April, the Catholic Church in the United States
has the privilege of welcoming our Holy Father during his
five day visit to Washington D.C. and New York City. The overall
theme of his trip is "Christ, Our Hope."
During this papal visit, Pope Benedict XVI
will celebrate his 81st birthday on April 16. On that day,
I will be joining the 350 bishops from throughout the United
States at a private prayer service and meeting with the Holy
Father at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception in Washington D.C. Additional plans are underway
for members of our diocesan clergy and other leadership to
attend various scheduled events. I will continue to update
you on this historic visit. The diocese received a limited
number of tickets to the Mass that will be celebrated at Yankee
Stadium in New York. Reservations were available on the diocesan
Web site. Further information about the Holy Father's visit
and his itinerary are available on the diocesan Web site.
The Cathedral Square project continues to move along on schedule.
I am most grateful for the support the project continues to
receive from people throughout the diocese. We hope to have
all our diocesan offices located there by early July 2008.
A Web camera connection is available online
at the diocesan Web site, enabling you to watch the construction
in real time. Also in April, we will begin our annual Catholic
Services Appeal (CSA) that funds the works of the church in
the diocese and internationally, that are beyond the scope
of individual parish programming. I continue to be grateful
for your generous response to the needs of the church. The
CSA theme for this year is "So Faith May Flourish." It is
our privilege and duty - rooted in baptism - to proclaim and
celebrate our faith which expresses itself in mission and
service. These are exciting times for our church…locally and
nationally. We are truly blessed. Christ has died, Christ
is risen and Christ will come again. Let us rejoice in his
victory and our sharing in that victory. May the blessings
of God be with all of you. With my best wishes,
- Bishop Walter A. Hurley is the
11th bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
|
