Disciples' Feet of Many Nations Were Washed

Holy Thursday begins the Triduum-the three holiest days in the Catholic Church. 

The washing of the feet is a tradition at the Holy Thursday liturgy. Christ washed the feet of the 12 Apostles and then told them to go out and do as I did to you.

Fr. Ariel Lustan, Pastor at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, took this literally and chose to wash the feet of parishioners who come from many different countries. 

The disciples arriving from Mexico, Korea, China, U.S.A., Continent of Africa, Poland, Germany, Italy, Arab Nations, Scotland, and The Islands of the Philippines.

Korea, China, Handicapped Children of the World, Scotland, Mexico, Arab Nations

One by one the global disciples came down to the front of the altar to have their foot washed by Father Ariel.

Father A poured the cleansing water first onto the foot.

The disciple was embraced, as Christ did on the night before He died.

The foot was scrubbed with soap.

 Father Ariel kissed the feet of many nations this Holy Thursday night.

Disciple from Germany -Wolfgang

The disciple from the Philippines came late but just in time to be the 13th disciple to have his foot washed. He was out doing service as Christ has told us to do - on call at the hospital in Sierra Vista.

The Disciples were then told by Fr. Ariel, as I have done to you, go now and wash the feet of others. The disciples then got a pitcher of water, a basin, bar of soap and a towel and washed the feet of those sitting in the pews.

The oils that were blessed at Monday's Chrism Mass were then presented to Fr. Ariel and the congregation. 

 Oil of Catechumens, Oil of the Sick and Sacred Chrism

Unleaven bread was made for the Eucharist tonight. Everyone receiving the Body of Christ tonight could literally "take and eat". 

Fr. Ariel carried the Blessed Sacrament in procession to the Parish Hall where the Garden of Olives was created. 

 All were invited to stay awhile and pray as Jesus invited his Apostles to do before he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot.

PALM SUNDAY

PALM SUNDAY begins the holiest week in the Catholic Church. 

Our 7th and 8th grade students helped prepare the palms on Friday for our Palm Sunday processions.
They had to pull and split the palms in half. For some I know it was a new experience and one they probably won't do again.

At three of our five Masses for Palm Sunday the Mass began outside in our courtyard. The gospel of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey was read by the deacon.

Father Ariel, our pastor, gave the blessing for the palms. 

Fr. A going among the people blessing the palms.

 The parishioners processed into Our Lady of the Mountains Church as Jesus rode into Jerusalem to prepare for his death at the end of the week.  As Pope John Paul II said, "The celebration of Holy Week begins with "Hosanna!" of Palm Sunday and culminates in the "Crucify him!" of Good Friday.

Parishioners after Mass stopped by the table with the extra palms and began to make them into crosses. Some taught others. It was a beautiful sight to see. 

Fr. Ariel asked the people to return their palms next Ash Wednesday so they can be burned for the ashes to be given on Ash Wednesday to start a new Lent. 

A bright sign of Spring and soon to be Easter on our church grounds!

CAN YOU PASS THIS SAINTS QUIZ?

Look closely......how many saints can you identify by name?????

Let me make it easier for you with a few close ups...............

Ok, have you found Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, Pope John XXIII, children of Fatima, Sr. Faustina, Maria Goretti, St. Francis of Assisi, Maximilian Kobe, The Little Flower, St. Joseph, St. Mary, St. Timothy, St. Clare, St. Keteri, Padre Kino ( Jesuit on the horse) ...just to name a few?

Over Spring Break I visited St. Timothy's Church in Mesa, AZ. The saints pictures are a painted mural on the sanctuary wall behind the altar with the bronze tabernacle right in front of the mural. It took the artist a year and a half to paint the mural of saints. It is a very prayerful, awesome sight. The saints are so real looking it appears as if they are right there attending Mass with you.

Here is the rest of the church.

 

 

Mother Teresa

 

Mass outside when the weather is warm but not 100 degrees +.

After Mass I went to taste my first Halo, Halo. Here is what this Filipino drink looks like and what is in it. 

We asked for extra purple ice cream or taro-the bright purple.

Take your straw and stir everything up so the chunks on the bottom get mixed in. Enjoy!