It is the eve of the eve of the Triduum, with the end of Lent practically upon us and the beginning of an even deeper entrance into & meditation on the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus – the world behind us, the cross before us.
In parishes around the world and here in our parish family, there are so many opportunities for prayer, reflection, and worship. I hope you’ll join in some or even all of them! There’s Tenebrae tomorrow evening, Lauds (Morning Prayer) each day of the Triduum, the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Tre Ore and Good Friday celebration of the Passion of the Lord, and of course, the Easter celebrations starting with the most glorious Mass of the year, the Holy Saturday vigil. For those who are here on the Olympic Peninsula, our parish family web page has a handy calendar breaking down the celebrations going on at each church throughout the week.
May we reflect in our actions the words we sing on Good Friday: “Come, let us adore!”
Saints & celebrations
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- March 29 – Palm Sunday – The beginning of Holy Week starts with great joy and ends in great sorrow, aware of our participation in – and responsibility for – the suffering & death of Jesus. And yet, this week is not without hope, as we look to hope Christ offers to even the greatest of sinners. Bishop Barron’s homily ‘God Enters Into Our Darkness’ is a lovely reflection to begin our week.
- March 30 – Blessed Amadeus IX of Savoy – Though born into royalty, Amadeus was known for his care and ministry to the poor. As the author behind MyDailyCatholicWalk put it, ‘he resigned his dukedom due to illness, but never resigned his commitment ot the poor’.
- March 31 – Saint Balbina – Daugther of the trbiune, Quirinus, her devotion and faithfulness eventually brought about his conversion. Though tortured and martyred for it, they clung to their faith to the very end. Read about her at the Vatican City State website.
- April 1 – Spy Wednesday – Today marks the end of Lent and the beginning of the Triduum. In many churches – including in the central region of our parish family at Saint Joseph parish, the traditional Tenebrae service will be offered. I am indebted to Thom Ryng – a former parishioner and dear friend, for introducing this to me when I was pastor at Holy Rosary in Tacoma over a decade ago. You can read about that first effort at his blog – and then come to Saint Joseph in Sequim at 7 pm to experience and pray it yourself!
- April 2 – Holy Thursday – The presentation of the holy oils (blessed at the Chrism Mass by our archbishop), the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood, the washing of feet, the procession to the altar of repose, and the stripping of the altar – the first day of the Triduum has no lack of mysteries for us to enter into. Elizabeth Scalia’s short fiction on that day invites us to make ourselves ready to welcome Jesus.
- April 3 – Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord – A Tre Ore service, stations of the cross, and the Good Friday service with the veneration of the cross. Today is the most somber of affairs, as we reflect on Christ’s suffering and death. We would do well to spend time with the scriptures of the day, considering our part in Christ’s passion – and His invitation for us, too, to commend our spirits into the hands of the Father.
- April 4 – Holy Saturday -“Something strange is happening—there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.” This ancient homily on Holy Saturday, found in today’s Office of Readings, invites us not to rush through this day of quiet.
This week’s “Why Do Catholics Do That?” pastor’s insert (from the March 29, 2026 bulletin)
Priests celebrating their anniversaries this week
- Rev. Dennis C. Sevilla (March 29, 1969)
- Rev. Michael R. Moodie, S.J. (March 31, 1979)
- Rev. Daniel J. Syverstad, O.P. (April 2, 1982)
- Rev. R. Roy Baroma, Jr. (April 3, 1997)
Remembering our deceased priests
- Fr. Maximillian Murray (March 29, 2000)
- Fr. Peter C. A. Winter (March 29, 1904)
- Fr. Robert J. Kenny (March 31, 2015)
- Fr. Anthony V. Domandich (March 31, 2016)
- Fr. Joseph Dominic (April 3, 1998)
- Fr. Thomas C. Daly (April 4, 1966)
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