Triduum.

The focus this week was definitely the Easter Triduum. Since I was a kid, I had always held the Triduum in high regard. I guess a lot of it had to do with growing up as an altar server. It's kind of the one season in the church's liturgical year where we got to put on a "show" and boy did we ever. The older I've gotten, the more I've really appreciated the Triduum.

This year more than any other year, it was extra special and a lot of it had to do with the fact that I was the RCIA Coodinator. Easter Vigil marked the day those who were involved in the program "graduated". I made it mandatory for all of them to attend all three services (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil) since it's all one big celebration. They were really glad they did because it made so much sense to be part of all of it. We all set together and I invited them to participate as much as they felt comfortable.

I had trouble sleeping the night before the Vigil so I got up much earlier than usual. I guess I was excited for all of them. I did speak to dad and mom to wish them Happy Easter so that was very nice. Mom's somewhat getting used to retirement life and neither have stepped on each other's toes (so far!) Later in the morning, I went to church to run through a couple of stuff with our parish priest and things were A OK.

John and I went for a nice steak dinner before Mass and that was just nice to be able to spend time with John before things got a little "crazy" with the Vigil service. Everyone was there half an hour before the service and I could sense the excitement and tension. I did something that was not quite planned, but I asked them to join me in our library. It was kind of funny because some of them thought they were in trouble. I basically told them to relax and more importantly have fun. I led them in some deep breathing exercises to calm their nerves and said a short prayer. They were thankful I did that because it helped calm them down a little. I emphasized to them the fact that it's a very important event for them, yet not to get so caught up in making sure that everything works out accordingly. They just needed to experience and take it all in - let God do the rest.

The Rite of Initiation could not have been any better when all was said and done. Everything turned out perfectly. There's not a whole lot more I could say about it. Oh, I should share with you that the offertory music was "Give Thanks" which is the Don Moen classic and truly, there was not a more appropriate song. We had a lot to be thankful for! Needless to say, I was beaming when the song was played. Few if any in the congregation knew the song, but I was definitely singing it in a very hushed tone!

At the end of the Vigil service a number of people came up and thanked me for a beautiful service and I told them that I really had nothing to do with it. I was just the RCIA coordinator leading the discussion and answering any questions they had for me. However, something that really touched me was when Joyce Rupp told me that she could sense how proud I was that they had "graduated". She said for me it felt like a proud parent witnessing the graduation of his kids. That really touched me hearing what she said. I guess I could take some credit, but I did not want to steal any spotlight from the group. It was so pleasing for me to see all of them after the service because they just shone so bright!

My "reward" to myself after everything was done was to go back to my apartment and spend the evening alone just reflecting on what took place. Sis did call up which was really nice since we've not spoken in ages. I also gave my priest friend a call since this was his first Triduum after being ordained in June. Just hearing his experience of the Triduum was so enlightening.

Today, our group sang at Mass and boy, did we sound good. God truly is alive and we could all feel God's presence with us while singing. I headed over to Joel and Kathy for Easter lunch and that was when I kind of "crashed" after being on the mountaintop for a number of days. Just spending time with Joel and Kathy in such a relaxed setting allowed me to let loose. I'm sure the alcohol played a small role in helping me relax. Any time I spend with the Olahs is just fun times!

Charlene gave me a call and mentioned that Sarah was headed to the Vietnamese restaurant for a late lunch and was wondering if I was able to join them. I excused myself from the Olahs, and headed over to the restaurant. Sarah's boyfriend, Heath was there and this was the first time I met him. A very nice guy and it was so neat to spend time with Charlene and Sarah. I've not seen Sarah since we went to Kansas City in September a couple of weeks after she started college. She's doing really well and is enjoying herself in college. I always feel all warm and fuzzy knowing that this "kid" is slowly but surely maturing into a young adult.

Well, that's kind of a long post from me, but there was quite a lot to share and write about. Christ has risen, Alleluia!