Bulletin Week March 19, 2017

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scrutiniesFrom the Pastor’s Desk

Over the next three Sunday’s we will celebrate the Scrutinies with those who will receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil during the night of April 15th. These Scrutinies are an important part of the Rite of Christian Initiation and the Gospels we will hear these Sundays are from one of the most ancient traditions of the Church to accompany the Elect (those now chosen for Baptism at Easter) on their way to “the living font.”

There are two parts to the ritual of the Scrutiny. First is the act of the scrutiny – asking and examining the Elect as to their advancement in a Christian manner of living. The second is the Prayer of Exorcism – praying that Satan will remain far from our Elect and that God’s angels will protect them should the temptations of the devil seek to side-track them on their way to the Sacraments.

Even if you are not at the 9:00 a.m. Mass when the Scrutinies will be celebrated each of these three Sundays, please keep our Elect in your prayers. That’s why the “Book of the Elect” has been placed on the left (east) side of the main sanctuary – a daily reminder that we need to pray for them as they journey these final weeks to the gift of new life in Christ.

Love,

Father Tom