Monday, March 29th, 2021
Dear Saint Charles Family:
My primary message for you follows, but here is an update:
Seat reservations in the church for the Great Easter Vigil and for Sunday's 9:30 am Easter Mass have already "sold out". Therefore, we've added new overflow options for those who would like to watch the live videos along with their fellow parishioners in Borromeo Hall or the Keeley Center Courtyard.
For instance, if you would like to attend Saturday's Easter Vigil overflow in Borromeo Hall, sign-up for reservations HERE.
On Easter Sunday, we have three options...
On Easter Sunday, we have three options...
- Several 9:30 am overflow seats are still available in the Keeley Center Courtyard - sign up HERE.
- We've added a second 9:30 overflow - this one will be in Borromeo Hall - sign up HERE.
- If you would prefer to attend Mass in the church, we still have seats available for the 11:30 am Easter Sunday Mass - sign up HERE.
AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, we celebrate many other services during Holy Week, including weekday prayer services, plus services on Good Friday and Holy Thursday.
Be sure to CLICK HERE for the entire list of Holy Week services, which includes sign-up links for each one.
Meanwhile, there is a possibility that Alameda County will move into the orange tier, perhaps as soon as April 1st.
Therefore, STAY TUNED! We may be able to add more sign-ups to our website for seats in the church.
Therefore, STAY TUNED! We may be able to add more sign-ups to our website for seats in the church.
The Three Days: How Jesus Saved You and Me
Yesterday was Passion Sunday (aka Palm Sunday)! With this celebration, we began the holiest of weeks because, in this week, we will celebrate and “re-member” the accomplishment of Jesus Christ to save humanity.
On Passion Sunday, we were given a hint at what we are about to witness again as paschal or saving actions of Christ. These saving actions are his Suffering, Dying, and Rising! This is how we were and are being saved.
Together they are exactly what Christianity offers to the world; and we celebrate these paschal actions in the service Roman Catholics call the “Triduum” or three days – Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
You may ask, why three days? The Christian practice of celebrating Easter with the Triduum was inspired by Jesus himself. In the gospels, Jesus frequently referred to the “three days” to teach both his followers and opposers alike (see Matthew 16:21; 26:61; 27:40; Mark 14:58; 15:29).
When people asked him to show them a sign to prove he was the savior, he told them: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). The Bible continued that, by “this temple” Jesus meant his own body, so “When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and believed …” (John 2:22).
As the disciples of Jesus today, we too remember, re-actualize, re-incorporate, or re-live what Jesus did to save us in a single Easter celebration across days. It is important for us to understand that those three days do not mean three celebrations: Easter is a three-day-long celebration!
The early Christians reserved those three days for this one celebration which began on Holy Thursday, and they did not leave the Church grounds until after Holy Saturday. In our times, there may be legitimate reasons why one might participate in only one or two days. However, our reason cannot be that the three days have separate celebrations like we have different Sunday Masses to choose from. By so doing, we lose the richness and the inspiration of the whole Easter celebration.
Therefore, make time to come join us for this SINGULAR EASTER CELEBRATION in varied parts in-person or online:
- HOLY THURSDAY: On this day we kick the three-day-long celebration. First, you are invited to MORNING PRAYER at 9 AM in the Church or pray with us by watching the live video (pick up a copy of the Triduum Morning Prayers). Then at 7 PM, we will gather to celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, also both in-person or by video.
- GOOD FRIDAY: There will not be a Mass on this day. We regather for MORNING PRAYERS at 9 AM in-person or via live video. At noon, we will Livestream the BIBLICAL STATIONS OF THE CROSS. Then at 3:00 PM, we regather – in-person or via video – to celebrate the PASSION OF OUR LORD. After the service, the Cross will be displayed outside for drive-by veneration.
- HOLY SATURDAY: Our focus on Saturday shifts from the burial of Jesus in the tomb to his resurrection to complete the saving work of God for humankind. We regather in-person or on Livestream for MORNING PRAYERS at 8 AM. And, at 8 PM we gather again in-person or via video to celebrate the GREAT EASTER VIGIL.
- EASTER SUNDAY: The celebration of the Lord’s resurrection continues from the Easter Vigil and ends on the evening of Easter Sunday. Yet, Easter Sunday will also be the FIRST SUNDAY OF EASTER. From 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM you are invited for WALK-THROUGH COMMUNION. The Easter Day Masses are as follows: 9:30 AM in-person or on video; 11:30 AM in-person only.
We encourage all Catholics to make the Triduum and one of the Sunday Masses. We also invite all Christians and non-Christians alike to join us if even to celebrate what we believe is the greatest gift that God has given to liberate the world and humanity – the pure act of love and justice for peace!
Fr. Kwame
The Sacraments at Home
As in years past, we enter Holy Week with anticipation, caution, and courage. Some of us will come to church and use this day of New Life to inaugurate the next step into normalcy. However, many of us are not quite across the threshold. We may be on waiting lists for vaccines or not even that far along.
Therefore, if you will be celebrating Holy Week at Home we encourage you to truly CELEBRATE. Pour yourself and your loved ones a pitcher of water and put out a few towels for Holy Thursday.
Perhaps you can take down your well-loved Cross from the wall and prepare your own Veneration for Good Friday.
On Holy Saturday, you can get dressed up. Find your Baptismal Candle (if you have it) or a taper and light a candle during the service.
Perhaps you are one of the few who have a fireplace in which you can light an actual fire.
Whatever you choose to do, be sure to make this week feel Holy. If you start preparing now it may make getting there that much more satisfying.
Fr. Kwame's Adult Bible Study Program
We are currently on break and will return on
Thursday, April 22nd at 7:00 pm
Thursday, April 22nd at 7:00 pm
Meanwhile, You May Watch
Videos of Fr. Kwame's Previous
Adult Bible Study Sessions
Videos of Fr. Kwame's Previous
Adult Bible Study Sessions
Jesus Boost Podcast
This week's episodes are about MERCY
Episode 27:
Episode 27:
Sunsets, oceans, birds, stars… all
creation sings His praise.
Become aware of more ways to
connect with God through
nature, rejoicing in the
comforting embrace
of Jesus’ love.
Be inspired and empowered each week! Jesus Boost invites you to connect with and tap into the infinite strength and unconditional love of God, available to everyone. There is so much beauty, joy, and power in knowing you are never alone and that Jesus is by your side on this journey. Jesus Boost is your reminder with honest, insightful commentary about modern-day situations, supported by scripture and words of wisdom from renowned leaders. Come away with a fresh perspective, a smile, and a wonderful, unique spiritual lift to help you greet life with renewed hope and strength.
Apr
12
Monday Evening: Men of Faith - Monthly Zoom Mtg.
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
Please join us!
Men of Faith will hold their next monthly Zoom meeting on Monday, April 12th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Our guest speaker will be Richard Murray of The Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Antioch, CA. Richard is a teacher, writer, and a former Carmaldolese monk currently working on his first book on the Bible and the spiritual evolution of humanity.
Men of Faith will hold their next monthly Zoom meeting on Monday, April 12th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Our guest speaker will be Richard Murray of The Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Antioch, CA. Richard is a teacher, writer, and a former Carmaldolese monk currently working on his first book on the Bible and the spiritual evolution of humanity.
Please join us for his talk on the Lord’s Prayer and some surprising and inspiring secrets it holds for us. Read his bio and a short treatment of his talk HERE.
Join our Zoom session at 7:00 pm:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83474917333?pwd=SUZPRVBRbUwraHUrTTdaTGRtUEt1dz09
Meeting ID: 834 7491 7333
Passcode: 097186
Jim Lucas
(925) 980-7871
gojimlucas@gmail.com
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83474917333?pwd=SUZPRVBRbUwraHUrTTdaTGRtUEt1dz09
Meeting ID: 834 7491 7333
Passcode: 097186
Jim Lucas
(925) 980-7871
gojimlucas@gmail.com
Health Ministry News
STROKE
By Joanne Berven, RN
Stroke, even by name, can be scary. It can be deadly, or it can leave one with a myriad of problems and the inability to function normally.
There are basically three kinds of stroke.
1.) Hemorrhagic stroke is bleeding into the brain. A classic sign is experiencing suddenly “the worst headache of your life”.
There are basically three kinds of stroke.
1.) Hemorrhagic stroke is bleeding into the brain. A classic sign is experiencing suddenly “the worst headache of your life”.
The best thing to do when this occurs is to call 911 to be transported to a nearby stroke center for specialized and immediate treatment.
2.) Ischemic stroke is a clot that shuts down blood flow to the brain. This type of stroke is more common. Like a heart attack, the clot blocks the blood flow to the tissues beyond it. Symptoms depend on what tissues are involved.
3.) A Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), or a mini-stroke, is one where there are symptoms, but they go away in a short period of time. However, it is a warning sign of a possible bigger stroke.
Symptoms of stroke include balance issues, trouble seeing out of one for both eyes, facial droop, weakness or paralysis of arms, trouble speaking, and not making sense. Be aware of when symptoms start or when was the person last seen in a normal state. This will be one of the first things you will be asked when calling for help.
Treatment depends on what kind of stroke (this is determined at the hospital) and what the symptoms are and how long the person has had symptoms.
Use this acronym BEFAST to remember the symptoms:
- Balance: sudden loss of coordination
- Eyes (visual disturbances): trouble seeing out of one or both eyes
- Facial droop: Ask the person to smile; is the smile normal or does it droop to one side?
- Arm or leg weakness: Ask the person to raise both arms; does one arm drift downward and is the person not able to lift his or her arm?
- Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase; is the speech slurred or strange?
- Time to call 911.
The longer one goes without treatment, the worse the outcome.
All stroke symptoms are a medical emergency therefore call 911 immediately. For our area, the Stanford-ValleyCare (Pleasanton) is our nearby stroke center. Do not drive to the hospital. Paramedics may be able to start treatment when they get to you. Or, while in transport to the hospital, they can alert medical staff of your symptoms and be better prepared for treatment upon arrival. (Trust me – I have 20 years of experience in the ER!)
Stroke risks: High blood pressure, smoking, overweight, diabetes, too much alcohol, sedentary lifestyle.
Lifestyle changes to help prevent stroke: control your blood pressure, manage your cholesterol, stop smoking, eat healthy, regular physical exercise; diabetes and blood pressure management
Here are some helpful resources to learn more about stroke:
- Stroke: Signs and Symptoms
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Community
1315 Lomitas Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550
