From the Desk of Father Nathan | March 28, 2021
A Message from Father Nathan
My dearest people who are all close to my heart! Prayers and blessings to you.
Passion or Holy Week
Holy Week is also called “Passion Week” begins on Palm Sunday and continues to Easter Sunday. Holy Week provided an opportunity for all the faithful to reflect on their personal sinfulness and their need for Christ and His sacrifice on our behalf.
These historic events are commemorated each year during Holy Week. As the official beginning of Holy Week, Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’s “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem (Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19, John 12) sitting on the back of a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is called the first day of Holy Week because it commemorates how Jesus’s followers strewed His path with palm branches (Matthew21:8, Mark 11:8, John 12:13.) Therefore Palm Sunday rituals remind Christians that, while there may be many political leaders during their lifetimes, the true Christian allows Christ to be the King of their lives, the one who must rule every aspect of their mortal existence.
Maundy Thursday
The fifth day of Holy Week is known as Maundy Thursday from the Latin term for “command”, “commandment” or “mandate”. He said to his disciples,
“A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another, as I have loved you.”
He gave us this commandment of love. So on Holy Thursday – we commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. It is when he established the sacrament of Holy Communion.
This all occurred prior to the events of His arrest and crucifixion. It also commemorates His institution of the priesthood.
Good Friday
The sixth day of Holy Week has the most unexpected of names “Good Friday”. This day commemorates the incomprehensibly violent death of Jesus.
On Good Friday, the entire Church fixes her gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Good Friday, in the Adoration of the Cross, in the chanting of the “Reproaches”, the reading of the Passion, in the receiving of the pre-consecrated Host, we unite with our Savior, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord.
Easter Sunday
“Easter” – Easter Sunday, is the greatest celebration of and in the Catholic Church because it is the completion of the Holy Week which ends with the resurrection of Jesus.
Easter celebrated the beginning and the foundation of Christianity. Jesus was raised from the dead, and it goes to show that He conquered sin and death.
Easter is not only the greatest Christian feast, Easter Sunday symbolizes the fulfillment of our faith as Christians.
Through His Death, Christ destroyed our bondage to sin, through His Resurrection, He bought us the promise of new life, both in Heaven and on earth.
His own prayer “Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven” begins to be fulfilled on Easter Sunday.
May you have wonderful and meaningful celebrations during the Holy Week.
Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,
With love and blessings,
—Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan
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Past Messages from Father Nathan
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | September 03, 2023
“Our Lady of Good Health” is Our Lady of Vailanganni, popularly known in southern India. We will remember her miracles on September 9th with a special mass and celebration.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 27, 2023
Aug. 28 is the memorial of St. Augustine, bishop and doctor of the Church. He’s one of the most influential Church Fathers and theologians in history.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 13, 2023
Holy Days of Obligation | The Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains holy days of obligation this way:
Family needs or important social services can legitimately excuse the obligation of Sunday rest (specified in the Fourth Commandment). The faithful should see that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health {CCC 2185}.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 06, 2023
St. Clare’s feast day is August 11th. Known as the patron saint of television because when she was able to see and hear mass on the wall of her room.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 30 2023
August 4th we celebrate the feast of St. John Vianney who is the patron saint of priests – a French priest, a renowned confessor with supernatural powers. Baptiste-Marie Vianney, also called Cure d’Ars, (born May 8, 1786, Dardillly, France—died August 4, 1859, Ars, canonized May 31, 1925, feast day August 4 (formerly August 9), a French priest who was renowned as a confessor and for his supernatural powers.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 23 2023
Feast of Joachim and Anne | the parents of Jesus’ mother, Mary. On July 26 the Roman Catholic Church commemorates the parents of the Virgin Mary, Saints Joachim and Anne. The couple’s faith and perseverance brought them through the sorrow of childlessness, to the joy of conceiving and raising the immaculate and sinless woman who would give birth to Christ.