I'm pretty sure it was my first Easter Vigil I'd ever worked.

I was assigned as sacristan for the vigil that year, and though I'd been attending Triduum liturgies for years prior, I'd never actually attended the vigil before working it.

I thought it would just be like a regular Mass, just a little longer.

Let's all give a pitiful laugh for poor, naive, just-starting-out-in-church-work Emily.

Anyway, I'm not exactly sure how it happened. All I know is I WAS in charge of the very intricate light show that is when to turn on each individual light of the 50+ button lightboard during the liturgy...

...and NOT the one in charge of preparing the charcoal for the incense.

Somehow, some way, all I know is lighter fluid ended up being put on the censors.

Which we only discovered when the pastor went to light the charcoal in the thurible.

Suddenly, we had two Easter fires.

Thankfully, everyone was fine.

But this is just one of dozens of stories I could tell you about Holy Week mishaps.

Lights that got turned on too early or too late. Multiple people almost passing out. (Fun fact, I was one of them.) Clergy tripping on the stairs in the dark. Dirty water from the foot washing spilling on someone. (Fun fact, that was also me.)

And I'd wager you have a bunch of your own too.

(If it's cathartic, feel free to hit reply and share! I'm happy to commiserate.)

But I say all of this because I assure you: Things are GOING to go wrong this week.

Maybe not almost-accidentally-setting-an-altar-server on fire bad.

But with fasting, short fuses, and longer than normal, intricate liturgies we only do once a year...working at a church during Holy Week is typically anything but holy.

Here's what I want to encourage you:

Embrace that not everything is going to be perfect, and be joyful anyway.

(Okay, maybe not exuberantly joyful on Good Friday, but you know what I mean.)

As I'm always reminding you, these stress-filled days are some of the only we get to encounter people who really need the Good News.

And they're going to be more moved by your joy and kindness despite everything figuratively (and literally) burning down around you than everything being perfect.

They don't know when the lights are supposed to go on.

They don't know that you just baaaaaarely got the taper candle paper shields on in time.

They don't know that you've been planning these days for months.

And they also might not know how much Jesus loves them.

THAT is our goal this week.

No matter how many mishaps happen behind the scenes, the big mishap we want to avoid is letting people leave our church this week without knowing how much Jesus loves them.

So in a week where there are more demands on your time than you can keep track of, prioritize the things that are going to help people encounter Jesus the most.

(And, you know, maybe not putting lighter fluid on the charcoals. Jesus' love and safety.)

And please, if you can — make sure you enter into the week as best you can too.

Make time to sit with Jesus in the repository after Holy Thursday Mass.

Attend Stations at another local parish.

Maybe even attend another Easter Sunday Mass where you can just sit and celebrate as beloved son or daughter, not as an employee.

And as always, since I know you won't hear it enough this week, thank you for all that you do. You are so needed, God has you right where He needs you for a reason, and you are doing incredible work.

And since I likely won't send a newsletter on Easter Monday (and I hope you'll be off!), a blessed and happy Easter to you!

For His greater glory,

Emily