The Easter Triduum is the most spiritually intense event of the year, at least for me. I have come to appreciate it as have many others. I sometimes regret that it has taken meaning for me only in the last ten years or so. I see many much younger than I who are regulars in attendance. But at the same time I know that we are all on our separate paths and we arrive at different points in our spiritual lives at different times and due to our separate paths some never arrive at the same places as others. As Fr Steve explained on his page in the parish bulletin, the three days of the Triduum comprise a single continuous liturgy with the greeting on Holy Thursday and final blessing and dismissal at the Easter Vigil. Each evening tells a part of the story in a deep and meaningful manner. (Don't worry if you missed it, - Thursday and Friday's part are summarized during the Palm Sunday Mass and the Easter Vigil is celebrated again on Easter Sunday as well as being commemorated every Sunday of the year.) But I feel that I am enriched spiritually in a special way by being part of the Triduum. Even fewer take advantage of the Night Prayer celebrated from 11:30 to midnight on Holy Thursday. It represents the time of the disciples waiting while Jesus prayed in the garden except that we do stay wake, at least for a half hour. The sung prayer of the intimate few, maybe 50 or so, who gather in His presence in the chapel is beautiful and at times leaves me choked up and teary-eyed. I need this. It not only reminds me of who I am but also, who He is and what He did for us.

Having experienced the 2-1/4 hour Easter Vigil, with its, blessing of new light, water and the welcoming and initiation of new members, the recounting of Genius, Exoduses, and the Resurrection and more, I avoid the crowds of Easter Sunday Mass, leaving room for those who infrequently join us. (It is great that they come once in a while.) After my usual morning routine and rituals I checked my email and found something very unusual. It was from a man in South Africa who was impressed with the story of my adoption and finding my ancestors and was asking my advice on his situation. I was astounded that he would do so but I gave it considerable thought on that Easter morning and replied to him. It is too long to include on this page but if you would like to read about it and some further thoughts, see A matter of Ancestral Traditions .

Later in the afternoon I joined The Albano family at the Monee home of Dominick and Sarah. Tom and Kelly joined us for Easter dinner. Diane and Caitlin were on a trip to visit colleges in California. They will continue from there to Colorado to see a couple there and visit Diane's brother. Dan, Karen and the girls had the holiday at the Buchler's. This is the first time in memory that the family has not been all together for Easter but as families mature it is a natural progression. However, a little bit of my biological mother's touch was there. My cousin Gay had sent a recipe for "Aunt Tootsie's Moss Ball", a cheese ball with a wonderful taste and unique appearance.Anne Marie made it for the occasion. It was wonderful and will be, I hope, the start of a new tradition for this branch of the family. Anne Marie is the only family member able to bake my adopted mother's Kolatchky, the ones which are made from thin dough cut into triangles and rolled with fruit, cheese or poppy seed inside. But Karen will host a combination Kolatchky baking and pool party this summer so that Sarah, Ana, and Kelly can learn the art.

Kelly, inherits the joy of baking from her mother and baked a Chocolate cake for our Easter desert and Sarah baked a cheese cake. Bothe were delicious as I sampled one after dinner and the other later with a glass of milk before bedtime. Sarah also baked the traditional ham while Anne Marie brought the string bean casserole. We had a great day and all melted back to our homes, well fed with food, beverages of choice and good cheer. It was an Easter truly blessed.

Incedently, Anne Marie has volunteered to look through the stack of old cook books that I have to see it she can find my mother's recipe for Hoska. For many years, mom spent the best part of Saturday mixings, kneading,  letting the dough raise, dividing it, rolling it out and braiding, raising some more and then baking this sweet Bohemian bread. She insisted that it had to be done using a wooden bowl and a wooden spoon and the temperature of the ingredients was a critical factor. Heavily buttered, it was our dinner that night and a treat for Sunday as well. I have seen recopies on the web but mom's did not include the nuts or candied fruit that I have seen in them. .Excuse me ... my mouth is watering. 

Faith acts promptly and boldly on the occasion,
 on slender evidence. 
~ John Henry Cardinal Newman

Courage is the power to 
let go of the familiar. 
~ Raymond Lindquist

As I traveled about on Thursday, first to deliver Mikey for his bath and grooming, then to bible study and later for the return trips I considered the lives of the animals in contrast to our efforts to cope with the rain and sleet that happened to be attacking at the time. We humans, go about on our schedules with the benefit of protective clothing and vehicles instead of taking cover and waiting it out. More "primitive" people would react more like the animals. I am reminded of the old saying, I believe originating in India with Kipling, "Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun." We insist on defying the elements just to have our way. We call it civilization.  Is this wisdom?  

My entertainment while exercising (I am forcing myself) was a section from the BBC disk on the subject of Mountains. Besides some breath taking (or was that the treadmill) vistas the focus was on the animals that not only survive but thrive in mountainous environments. It is amazing. Another part of the entertainment was the huge snowflakes descending outside the window. They melted on pavement but whitened the grass and other cold surfaces. By supper time it had turned back to a steady rain and in the evening I heard thunder. The gods of winter and spring are battling and we get to watch the show.  

Speaking of shows, I seldom see "live" TV anymore. My DVR has captured me. I have it set to record particular series'. It records them whenever they come on and I watch whenever I want. The big bonus is that I fast forward through the commercials which has the added advantage of reducing the viewing time of the shows. I also am able to pause the show to answer the phone of take a necessary break,. Yes, I am defenately spoiled, manipulating my environment.

One of the consequences of the nasty weather on Thursday was the cancelation of the Robert Moriss College baseball game. The team had gathered at the school and when they were dismissed for the day several suggested going to lunch. A number of them, including coach Anthony Albano, went to Hooters nearby. After lunch, Anthony departed for the Orland Mall to do some shopping and the others went their way.