Parish Weekly Update --

April 18, 2019

Yesterday was the Lsat full day of Lent. Lent ends today with the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, which we will be celebrating at 7 PM today. This is traditionally seen as the day when the two sacraments of the Eucharist and the Priesthood were established. The weather could be bad, so please watch the weather before you leave you home.

Events during the Paschal Triduum 

These next few days are very important in the life of the Church. A little later today we will be slowing down so that we can turn our focus and our attention to the Events of the Lord's Passion and Death so that we can be ready for Easter of the Lord's Resurrection.

Holy Thursday/Maundy Thursday

We will be celebrating the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper beginning at 7 PM. The Mass begins with the  reception of the oils that were blessed by the bishop at the Mass of Chrism on Tuesday and we will also remember the Lord's Great Mandate to "I give you a new commandment, says the Lord: love one another as I have loved you." (John 13:34). This is expressed in the washing of the Feet. Keep your eyes on the weather though.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

After the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, the Blessed Sacrament is moved to an Altar of Repose, which will be in the Parish Hall. Everyone is invited to come and adore for some time from the end of the Holy Thursday Mass until Midnight.

Good Friday Community Stations of the Cross

For the last several years, we have had a city-wide stations of the cross, involving other Christian congregations in the area. This will begin at 9 AM on Friday at First United Methodist Church and it will end at St. Joseph.

Parish Stations of the Cross 

We will also pray the Stations of the Cross in the church at 12 Noon on Good Friday also.

Good Friday of the Lord's Passion 

The evening liturgy of the Lord's Passion will take place at 7 PM in the church.

Easter Vigil 

The Easter Vigil will be at 8 PM at St. Joseph. We welcome all of our RCIA candidates and catechumens who will be joining the Church and coming into Full Communion. There will be a reception afterwards that everyone will be invited to attend.

Director of Campus Ministry Search Committee

In the end, there were 16 applications for the position of Director of Campus Ministry. This has been a very exciting process and we have had a great level of interest. We are still in the final stages of hiring. Please continue to keep this process in your prayers. Hopefully, we will be able to make an announcement soon after Easter.

Parish Pastoral Council Elections

Elections for the Parish Pastoral Council are May 5th. Nominees for each position will be posted in the back of the church for these next couple of weekends. Again, thanks to all of our parish pastoral council members, especially those who will be rolling off in June.

Grand Jury

The Grand Jury discussing Fr. Lenin's case is meeting April 23, and 24. The Pastoral Council has asked that we  keep everyone involved in our prayers to the extent that we are able -- Fr. Lenin, the witnesses, Bishop Kopacz, and especially for continued healing for our parish.

Father Burke Masters - Journey of Hope

Father Burke Masters, former Mississippi State Baseball player, will be in Tupelo at St. James Parish Hall on Thursday, April 25, for a meet and Greet for the Catholic Charities Journey of Hope at 6PM.
Meet & Greet 4/25/19 from 6 to 8 PM. Tickets are $25.

The next day, there will be a Luncheon from Noon to 1 PM, where Fr. Burke will be the featured speaker, also at St. James Parish Hall. Reservations are required. Call 601-326-3714 or email kim.thomason@ccjackson.org to attend.

Fr. Jason on Retreat

I will be in Chatawa, Mississippi on retreat from Monday to Friday. If there are any emergencies where you will need a priest, Fr. Jeffrey Waldrep, our parish administrator will be in Columbus during the week. Next week's update may come a little later.

Peace,
Fr. Jason Johnston