By David Kilby | Correspondent

When Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrated Holy Thursday in St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown, April 17, many in the packed church agreed that it was a great day to be a Catholic.

 The Bishop was led to the altar by a contingent of Knights of Columbus, Maidens of the Miraculous Medal, children, altar servers, deacons and concelebrating priests before more than 400 congregants.

In his homily, Bishop O’Connell explained the meaning of the word “Maundy,” which many churches use in place of “Holy” in naming the Mass celebrated each Thursday before Easter. Translated as “commanded,” it refers to the commands Jesus gave to his apostles during the first commemoration of the disciples’ ultimate meal with their savior: to love one another as he has loved them and to ‘do this in memory of me.’

 ‘We’re doing the same thing tonight that Jesus did at that Last Supper,” the Bishop said. Noting Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, he reminded the congregation, “We are called to serve.”

 The breaking of the bread and the blessing of the cup is holy “not because of anything we do,” continued the Bishop. “It is he who drops to his knees ... to make this night holy for us. There is no better time of year than Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday to come to know Jesus. Laying down his life for us is what makes this night holy.”

 Twelve members of the congregation were invited to take seats before the altar and the Bishop washed their feet, following the example of Christ more than 2,000 years before.

Bishop O’Connell expressed his appreciation to the Allentown parish community. “Thanks for the love you give to Christ, the love you share with one another, and the love you share with us as priests,” he told the congregation of more than 400 people.

At the close of the liturgy, the Blessed Sacrament was processed through the church into the parish hall downstairs, then reposed in a tabernacle, surrounded by candles, inviting those present to silent prayer.

“It just brings tears to your eyes,” said Phyllis Schuette, “... it’s such a wonderful day to be celebrating the Eucharist.”

 Father Brian Woodrow, pastor of St. John Parish, said, “We know where the Bishop is, there is the Church, and to celebrate this together with our Bishop is nothing short of spectacular,” he said.