Holy Week!

HRBA

Stay at Home Order Extended to May 4th

As most of you know by now, Governor Jay Inslee has extended the Stay Home order to May 4th. That means that all schools will be closed until at least that date. We continue to hear a lot from behind the scenes that schools may close for the remainder of the year, though that has not yet been determined. Please know that we, as a school, will be prepared to respond to whichever way this goes (whether we return in May or stay out through June). The school remains committed to provide the best possible education to all of our children through this new distance learning model in these challenging times. We thank you for your support and the hard work you are doing at home with your children. It is important and appreciated! Please continue to keep our entire school community in your prayers, as people experience health and financial concerns.


One last item, people have been checking in on spring fundraising requirements and the auction. Things are on hold until further info, but we will update you on this after spring break. We will need to address these financial matters soon, while understanding the challenges that so many of us are facing.


Have a SAFE and wonderful vacation. Get out and enjoy the sun...mid 60s next week!!


Blessings,

Katie Dempsey

From Fr. Michael:

Here are some ways families can make holy this this most special of all weeks in this most extreme of circumstances with “Stay at Home.”

As a family, read the gospel for each day as well as decorate the home or perform some ritual in keeping with the gospel accounts and Holy Week liturgies of the Catholic Church:

Passion Sunday (there are two gospel readings):

Matthew 21:1-11 and
Matthew 26:14-27:66
Liturgical color for today is red. So perhaps a red table cloth for the dining table or red draped prominently in the home. In the first gospel we read that people “cut branches from the trees.” Passion Sunday is the one occasion of the year parishes are instructed to decorate the processional cross. Family members could decorate their own crosses within the home with red ribbon and cut evergreen branches—after all we are the “Evergreen State.” This year rather than Palm Sunday, we could nickname it Evergreen Sunday.

Holy Monday:

John 12:1-11
Liturgical color is purple. In the gospel we read about “costly perfumed oil” and “the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” What are some different ways a family can especially fragrance the home this day? Perhaps we nickname today Fragrant Monday.

Holy Tuesday:

John 21-33, 36-38
Liturgical color purple. In the gospel we read how during their meal Jesus and the disciples dipped their food. Perhaps the dinner menu can center on foods that are dipped as part of family meal. Perhaps we nickname today Morsel Tuesday.

Holy Wednesday:

Matthew 26:14-25

Liturgical color is purple. Today’s gospel we hear about “thirty pieces of silver” as well as the disciples preparing for the Passover. Perhaps thirty coins be prominently displayed somewhere as well as an extra effort at “Spring Cleaning.” Today already has the nickname Spy Wednesday.

Holy Thursday:

John 13:1-15
With the setting of the sun, Lent comes to an end and the Triduum begins—at sunset liturgical color changes from purple to white. With the end of Lent, perhaps a more festive and candlelit meal—a meal that includes bread. In tonight’s gospel Jesus models for us, “you ought to wash one another’s feet.” In long tradition after the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, altars and churches are stripped of ornamentation and religious articles—perhaps families after dinner can do the same in their own homes until Easter.

Good Friday:

John 18:1-19:42
Liturgical color is red. Today has a most somber feel to it. Perhaps the family can fashion a simple cross that takes prominence. As a day of fasting, not just fasting from food for the adults, but what can the entire household fast from?

Holy Saturday:

In churches during the day, all is quiet, the tabernacle is empty, no candles burn. It is not until after sunset and the world is dark when people gather around a fire to bless the Easter Candle and read stories from the beginning of time telling of God’s saving work. Families could fashion their own Easter Candle by either pouring their own candle (perhaps from candle stubs lying around) or decorating and engraving a large candle with cross, 2020, nails, alpha and omega. Perhaps families could light their own backyard/driveway campfire at twilight, roast hot dogs and s’mores, read a story or two from the Easter Vigil accounts from the Old Testament about Creation or the Exodus, and then light their Easter Candle.

Easter Sunday:

Matthew 28:1-10 or John 20:1-9
Liturgical color is white/gold. This is the most festive of all days. A white linen meal is most appropriate for today. In fact, linen itself is a symbol of resurrection. We learned on Passion Sunday that “taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen...” Fashioned from flax fiber, authentic linen is very strong and durable. Fragments of dyed fabric discovered in a prehistoric cave were found to be woven linen from wild flax dating back something like 36,000 years ago. Perhaps an Easter food like hot cross buns could be part of today’s menu. Easter Sunday is when we all renew our baptismal promises—an opportunity to get out family albums to look at baptism pictures and certificates.

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