Holy Thursday Seder Meal

SJA Seder Supper, Holy Thursday, April 20th, 2000

Background: The Seder is a meal during the Jewish Passover season, recalling the enslavement of the Jews in Egypt, and celebrating as well the freedom granted the Jews after an Angel of the Lord killed the firstborn of all Egyptian families.
The Seder Supper at St. Joan of Arc is an abbreviated version of the Jewish tradition recalling the Jews' suffering but also praising God for their being freed. There is a transition into the Christian tradition remembering the celebration of the Last Supper of Christ with the Apostles, and then a celebration of mass in which we memorialize that Last Supper.

Approximately 500 persons attended the SJA Seder 2000 in this incredibly well- organized remembrance and celebration. Most meaningful to this writer is that the persons at each of sixty-some tables became a unique 'family' with a chosen 'mother' and 'father' to re-enact portions of the Jewish family ritual. Excellent leadership for Seder rituals and prayers were provided by a family at the center of the other tables, raised so it was clearly visible.

The catered meal was excellent: in variety, in quantity as well as in quality. Nearly 60 members of the SJA choir provided a wonderful array of song, harmony and tempo; and I now realize why people at my table have been coming to this event for years. They already look forward to next year's Seder with good reason.

Ray Tanis is a farmer, masquerading as an engineer, with a passion for writing... Kids are grown, so concentrates on sunflowers and pumpkins. Ray loves writing poetry and music.
Roseann Shaughnessy Rogers and Jim Maurer well deserved the recognition given for their superb coordination of this event.

-Ray Tanis

Note: Considerable detail for the entire Jewish Seder is available on the Internet; at sites such as: About.com.

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