To all who visit these pages, prayers for a Blessed Easter Sunday and Easter Season! I hope and pray this Lent and Triduum were a unique and grace-filled time for all of you. May this Easter grant all of us a renewed and even deeper experience of faith and life Read more…
Easter Homily 2011; Most Reverend Paul D. Etienne Happy Easter! I’d like to begin my reflections tonight by recalling the opening words as we gathered around the Easter Fire, because they succinctly remind us of the significance of what we celebrate: If we honor the memory of the Lord’s death Read more…
One of the strangest “features” of this day is the empty tabernacle. The vigil lamp remains dark, the tabernacle empty. The tomb is now occupied. Soon, The tomb will be empty and the tabernacles occuppied once again, and the lamps lit proclaiming the indwelling of the Lord. Our vigil continues Read more…
Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. (John 19:41-42) Read more…
Good Friday 2011, Most Reverend Paul D. Etienne While praying the Stations of the Cross one Friday during this Lent, I had an intense insight into the reality of sin. I was uniquely aware of the reality of my own sin and the significant damage it does to my relationship Read more…
Holy Thursday 2011 Most Reverend Paul D. Etienne This evening, in this Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the Church recalls how Jesus celebrates the Passover with his disciples, bringing the Passover Meal to its ultimate purpose and meaning. In the days leading up to this Passover, Jesus spoke in unflinching Read more…
“I AM”. These are the words used by God to answer Moses’ question: “if I go to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,” and they ask me, “What is his name?” what do I tell them? God replied to Moses: Read more…
With Sunday Evening Prayer I, Holy Week is upon us. With the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, we begin this sacred week. We are invited as the People of God to journey with Christ this week. A fitting beginning to this week is our own profession that Jesus is Lord, the Read more…
CHRISM MASS 2011 Most Reverend Paul D. Etienne Jesus uses the words of the prophet Isaiah to speak of His ministry: The spirit of the Lord is upon me. This is the Spirit Jesus shares in the intimate communion of love with the Father. It is the same Spirit we Read more…
Today is Chrism Mass day in Cheyenne country. As you know from the previous blog entry, this is one of my favorite Liturgical celebrations of the year, as it is for not only most priests, but many people of the faith as well. It gives a snapshot of the beauty Read more…