Welcome Deacon Matthew Pfleger - Our Lady of Good Counsel

12 | The Good Counsel Courier Vol. 4 | Issue 2 | April 26, 2012
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The Good Counsel Courier | 13
The Crucifixion of Jesus
Chrism Mass
By Colby Clayton, 6A
“CRUCIFY HIM!
CRUCIFY HIM!”
My ears suddenly
opened when I heard
the word “crucify.” I
was leaning against a
small stone building
next to a small fruit cart and tried to
somehow find a way to glance over the
large crowd to see what was going on. I
got on the tips of my toes; I tried to stand
up on the fruit cart next to me until the
merchant shoved me off onto the hot,
bumpy road. I didn’t see anything that
was going on except the heads of the
crowd turning to look at each other. My
left check rested on the road for a few
seconds feeling the warmth the road had
to offer.
It was a hotter day than usual, the sun
beat down waves of heat so you could
see them on the road which was getting
warmer by the second. I decided the best
option I had was to squeeze through the
crowd. I held out my right arm and started
to gently nudge people out of the way.
Some of the people didn’t appreciate my
rudeness as I stepped on their feet, and
I apologized as they swore at me. Now
I was close enough to see that a man in
shining armor with a large, sharp sword,
stood there next to an innocent looking
man with slightly long hair, a short
beard, and his hands cuffed. “He shall be
crucified!” the man in armor exclaimed
and the entire crowd cheered, everyone
except me. I starred hard at the innocent
looking man trying to recognize him.
Then it suddenly hit me as if someone
threw a rock at my head and said “It’s
Jesus!” Jesus Jesus! The name Jesus
echoed through my brain. The one who
comes in the name of the Lord; known as
the Messiah. I’ve known about Jesus ever
since the time my brother was fatally ill.
It was a hot day and my brother lay
in his bed with his eyes closed. My
mother was off trying to find a doctor
or someone who could help my brother
Tom. I sat in a wooden chair next to his
bed being there for him in case he needed
something. Every few minutes he would
make a request like “Patrick, could you
please give me some water” or “Can
you get me another blanket” I obeyed
the request and provided it as quickly as
possible. Suddenly, my mother walked
into the bedroom where Tom was resting
with a man. “This kind sir’s name is Jesus,
and he is willing to help us revive Tom,”
My mother said gently. I lifted myself out
of my seat and looked at him, his eyes
staring into mine. “Do you have faith
that I can do this” He asked. “I do,” I
said back to him. “Alright then,” he said
as he touched Tom’s forehead. “Rise,” he
commanded to Tom and Tom obeyed. Tom
stood up looking better than he had ever
in his life. We all stood in amazement.
Jesus is condemned to death, Eric Sobocinkski,
Troy Bloesch and Nick Belecanech is Pontius
Pilate.
A few years passed and his healing
Ministry had grown. Jesus was known for
the miracles he had performed. Now they
are going to kill him for blasphemy. As
the crowd cheered on like warriors who
had won a battle a soldier standing in the
crowd stood forward
with a whip in his hand.
He began to whip poor
Jesus and I watched in
horror as each whip at
him was harder. I had to
do something. I shoved
through the crowd and
started to make my way
to the stone staircase to
the large temple until
two large soldiers twice
the size of me stood in
my path. “What do you
think you’re doing” One says to me in a
booming voice. I try to run past the two of
them without an answer but they are too
quick. One grabs me and the other throws
a giant fist into my face and before I could
feel the impact, I was out. I wake up lying
on the hot road again. This time the crowd
is flowing up the hill to Calvary where
criminals go to be crucified. But Jesus
was no criminal. I race through the streets
Veronica wipes the face
of Jesus Eric Sobocinski,
Allison Risell is Veronica.
Resurrection of Jesus! Eric
Sobocinski is Jesus.
crashing into people not caring that they
curse at me. I run up the steep, sandy hill,
some of the crowd members are walking
down the hill, until I finally get to the top
to see what is happening.
Most of the crowd has left, but now
there are only the ones
who are crying. I look up
to see that Jesus’ lifeless
body is dangling from a
cross with nails driven into
his feet and hands. Blood is
dripping from large gashes
on his body and a crown
of thorns is on his head.
Tears slowly drip down my
cheek as I try to choke them
back. Never once have I
seen death and I don’t wish
to ever see it again. I can’t
look at his body anymore so I walk down
the hill almost tripping. I sit down on a
sandy patch at the bottom of the hill and
try to process what had just happened.
As I think of Jesus, I think of one positive
thing. All of the miracles he performed
were true and his death was his biggest
miracle. He may not have given faith to
all, but he had given it to me.
Source: Bible Luke, John
Parishioners and confirmands from
the parish attended the Chrism Mass on
Monday evening, April 2, 2012 at the
Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption.
Most Reverend David M. O’Connell,
Bishop of Trenton, was the main
celebrant and homilist.
The sacred oils were blessed for the
coming year and all priests renewed
their personal dedication to Christ. The
renewal of commitment ended with an
invitation from the Bishop to all present
to pray, first for the priests of the Diocese,
and then for him.
Stephen Lucasi, the music director for
our parish also leads the Diocesan Festival
Choir and Dr. Martha Mercantini, cantor
of Our Lady’s Parish, also cantored the
Chrism Mass.
All present were invited for light
refreshments in the Dining Hall
immediately following the Chrism Mass
where a picture was taken with Bishop
O’Connell, Father Damian, Father Jim,
and the soon to be ordained, Rev. Mr.
Matthew Pfleger, newly assigned as the
Parochial Vicar of Our Lady’s Parish as of
July 1.
The following parishioners and
students attended the Chrism Mass: Dr.
Linda Dix, Laura Kowalick, Jean Kutteroff,
Mary Kiefner, Morgan Snowden, Courtney
Pellegrino, Katherine, Elizabeth, Natalie,
Lucy, and Joel Graham,
JoAnne Campbell, Annemarie
Brownmiller, Sharon Brdlik,
John Scanlon, Jeff Gueiss,
Susan Dowiak, Kay and Frank
Feeney, Julia Majewski, Bo
and Norma Minnick, Carol
Nash, Sister Rosemarie, Betty
Wagner, Deacon Ed Heffernan
and John and Maureen Sherry.
Good Counsel Group at the Chrism Mass with Bishop O’Connell.
Holy Oils and the Youth Group Presenters.