Beloved people of God.  

As we emerge from the darkness and cold of winter and rejoice in the beginning of spring, we continue our Lenten journey towards Easter and the Resurrection. Spring comes early in our beautiful Victoria, lifting our spirits and giving us hope, but as Christians, our Lenten journey reminds us that before we can celebrate the resurrection, we have to journey through the darkness and embrace the crosses in our lives. This is not easy, but it is the path that Jesus set out for us and it is the path we are called to follow. 

We are currently carrying the cross of change and uncertainty in our world and in our church. Our call here is to surrender to the will of God, and be open to new possibilities, even as we continue in our present reality, at least for the time being. The surrender will lead to inevitable death, yes, but death is always followed by resurrection and new life. 

Our Lenten journey is coming to its conclusion. We begin Holy Week with the Celebration of Palm Sunday, on Sunday April 13^th, at 10 am, when we will process with branches to remember Jesus’ journey into Jerusalem and listen to the Passion narrative.

From there we come to the highlight of the liturgical year: the three days of Easter, beginning with Maundy Thursday, leading into Good Friday, and culminating in the Easter Vigil. These three days are called the Triduum and are in essence one liturgy which flows through the three days. We come and go from these celebrations keeping in mind that they are really one celebration.  

Maundy Thursday ritualises our call to servanthood through the washing of feet and remembers the gift of Christ’s own self through the gift of the Eucharist. Our Maundy Thursday celebration will begin on April 17^th with a simple soup and bread supper at the back of the church at 5:30. From there we will move to the altar to celebrate the Eucharist and afterwards to strip the altar as we prepare to wait for the celebration of Easer. After the service, the church will remain open for an hour for those who choose to stay and pray for a while in silent contemplation. 

Good Friday commemorates the unjust suffering and death of Jesus which he freely accepted out of love for the whole world. On Good Friday, April 18^th, the church will be open from 2pm – 4pm, with a short service at 3 pm.  

The Easter Vigil reminds us that God has been present and active throughout all of history, and we celebrate that we are a beloved and redeemed people, sent out into the world to bring that love and redemption to all. At the Easter Vigil, we light the new fire from which the Paschal candle is then lit and the Easter Anthem (the Exultet) is proclaimed. The Easter water is blessed and the congregation has the opportunity to renew their baptismal commitment. 

I will be leading the Easter Vigil with Rev. Craig Hebert, our Regional Archdeacon, at St. Mary the Virgin, Oak Bay, starting at 8pm on April 19^th . I will bring St. Matthias’s Paschal Candle to be lit from the new fire. I invite and encourage those of you who are able to join me at St. Mary’s for the Easter Vigil. Parishioners from St. Mary’s began the Lenten season with us by participating in our Shrove Tuesday pancake supper and they invite us to join them as we all complete our Lenten journey.  

 I know that you are not all able to participate in all parts of the Triduum. I encourage you to do as much as you can, and to be aware that this celebration takes place for all of us, whether we are physically present or not. I will be at St. Matthias on Easter Sunday morning, April 20^th to celebrate our glorious resurrection day with you.  If you have bells at home, bring them to ring during the Gloria. It is truly a day to make a joyful noise.   

With love and blessings to each one of you 

Rev. Colleen+ 

Palm Sunday, April 13, 10 am:  we will process with branches to remember Jesus’ journey into Jerusalem and listen to the Passion narrative.  Palm crosses will be available to take home!

The Triduum (three days of Easter,) beginning with Maundy Thursday, leading into Good Friday, and culminating in the Easter Vigil. 

Maundy Thursday, April 17, 5:30 pm:  begins with a simple soup and bread supper at the back of the churc. From there we will move to the altar to celebrate the Eucharist and afterwards to strip the altar as we prepare to wait for the celebration of Easter. 

Good Friday, April 18^th : the church will be open from 2pm – 4pm, with a short service at 3 pm.  

Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil, April 19th, 8pm at St. Mary the Virgin, Oak Bay (Elgin Road)

Easter Sunday, April 20th, 10 am: Celebration of the Resurrection (bring bells if you have them!)

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