Lent, Holy Week Adaptations, and Hope One Year into COVID-19

Host Jack Socha marks the one-year anniversary of COVID-19’s impact in the U.S., noting deaths, vaccine progress, ongoing cautions, and the need to follow CDC guidance. He reports on the start of the restoration of St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral in La Crosse. Bishop Callahan reflects on the Fourth Sunday of Lent’s Gospel of Jesus and Nicodemus, connecting Moses’ bronze serpent to Christ lifted on the cross as the remedy for sin and suffering. Sacred Worship director Chris Carstens explains diocesan Holy Week adaptations: Palm Sunday begins inside without an outdoor procession; Holy Thursday omits foot washing and the Eucharistic procession but includes adoration; Good Friday veneration is modified; Easter Vigil reduces processions, may limit baptisms, and blesses holy water; capacity can increase to 50% with local discretion, and the Chrism Mass is moved to summer. Soscia reads an extended passage from Pope Francis’ “Daring to Dream” on solidarity, service, and avoiding narcissism, discouragement, and pessimism, and closes with scheduling notes due to daylight saving time and a preview of a Casa Hogar (Peru) interview.

00:00 Show Opens and Welcome

00:32 One Year of COVID Reflections

02:41 Holy Week Plans Preview

03:23 Cathedral Restoration Update

05:04 Bishop Callahan Lenten Message

06:38 Cross as Healing Remedy

10:59 Vaccines and CDC Guidance

13:06 Chris Karstens Returns

15:47 Diocesan Holy Week Guidelines

20:05 Palm Sunday Changes

22:36 Holy Thursday Adaptations

27:12 Good Friday Cross Veneration

28:48 Liturgy Integrity Concerns

30:00 Singing Rules and Choirs

31:25 Risk Decisions and Vaccines

33:08 Strange Questions and Clarifications

34:36 Work Life and Farm Spring

36:57 Patience and Prayer Requests

39:29 Easter Vigil Adaptations

41:05 Triduum Book Recommendation

45:40 Pope Francis Daring to Dream

55:50 Schedule Notes and Wrap Up