The parish of Saint Teresa of Avila, of which I was Pastor, is located in Manhattan on the Lower East Side of the city. In the late 19th century with the arrival of immigrants from Poland, Germany and Eastern Europe, that area of the city became known as “Jewish New York.” During my pastorate in the 1990s, a significant Jewish population continued to live in the neighborhood.
A synagogue was located a couple of buildings down from the rectory on Henry Street. Another synagogue and Yeshiva (private religious school for boys) was located around the block from the church.
On the major holydays of the Jewish community, these synagogues attracted robust attendance from the Jewish faithful. Families, father, mother and children, all dressed in their finest, would walk together to their synagogues. On other feasts in which the men were the principal participants, the fathers with their sons – again dressed in their finest – would be on the avenues walking to their synagogues for prayer. On the feasts in which the entire community participated, festive celebrations would conclude the synagogue service. The families enjoyed being together, celebrating with members of their faith community. I would comment to my parishioners that I would love to see our Catholic families praying together on our major holydays as our Jewish neighbors did on their holydays.
As the concluding days of Lent 2024 approach and we enter into the most sacred days of Holy Week, wouldn’t it be a grace to have families together in our parish churches for the celebrations of the Mystery of Faith, the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Would it not be wonderful to have fathers kneeling in prayer beside their children? Would it not be inspiring to have families together at the various Holy Week services in their parishes? The old adage is as true as ever, “The family that prays together, stays together.” What a sign and inspiration it would be to have families in our parishes for the Holy Week liturgies.
Holy Week kicks off with Palm Sunday, which remembers Jesus’ procession into Jerusalem. The cries of joyous jubilation from the crowds that witnessed His entrance into the Holy City. Waving the palm branches and shouting, Hosanna to the King! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
The Lord’s journey into Jerusalem invites us to reflect on our personal journeys of faith. Their growth and challenges. A family at this Palm Sunday Liturgy could consider their familial journey of faith. The differences between the generations in the family and the problems that can arise from time to time. The honesty between parents and children, between children and parents. Is there sharing on the part of children and parents of their interests and concerns?
Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper. The Institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. Done at the Passover table. The Apostles and the Lord eating together, enjoying the meal, one another’s company as they celebrated with faith the commemoration of the Passover. What about unfortunate incidents that happen at family tables? Does your family sit together for a meal, have conversation, talk with one another and enjoy each other’s company? Have arguments and unfortunate exchanges of words emerged at the family table? Have words of forgiveness been exchanged?
Good Friday remembers the Passion and Death of the Lord on the Cross. He suffered for us. He accepted the bitterness of human life. Is there a Cross in your home? It is the principal symbol of our Christian faith. It should be proudly and prominently displayed in our Catholic homes. When suffering comes your way, do you intentionally unite your personal or family suffering with the suffering of the Lord? All of us have to deal with suffering, and ultimately, with death. These can be traumatic experiences. When they are joined to the suffering of Jesus and His Death on the Cross, faith can fill us with hope as it did for the Lord. Suffering and death are not the final words.
Holy Saturday dawns as a day of waiting. There is emptiness in the Church. Sacraments may not be celebrated except the Anointing of the Sick and Dying. Our Lord is in the tomb. Do you visit cemeteries where your loved ones are buried? Have you shared their stories with the family? Are there proper arrangements for burial, including a funeral Mass, in place for the death of a family member?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “The family is a communion of persons, a sign and image of the communion of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit.” (#2205) May families make a concerted effort to live their “communion” by their participation together in the liturgies of Holy Week. This is our week. The ONLY week in the year called HOLY. May it be blessed for you.
Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan, D.D.
Bishop of Camden