Greetings!
From the Pastor's Desk
This weekend is Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week.

Palm Sunday
Today we remember the triumphal entry of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem. The mood of the liturgy gradually shifts from rejoicing (procession) to grieving (the Gospel reading of the Passion). 

Holy Thursday
Tonight we remember the institution of the Eucharist that Jesus celebrated at the Last Supper and the institution of the Priesthood.

Good Friday
We gather quietly on Friday as a continuation of the liturgy from yesterday. We fast and pray and remember the great sacrifice our Lord made for us.

Holy Saturday Easter Vigil
We assemble in our darkened church. The light of Christ represented by the lit Easter candle is brought into the church, and then we listen to Scripture readings which recall the great events of our salvation. The Elect and Candidates celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation. It is a joyful night!

Easter Sunday
We celebrate the joy of the risen Christ, and we begin the 50 days of the Easter Season.
 
Do you have old palm branches?
If you have old palm branches from last year’s Palm Sunday or older, and if you are wondering how to dispose of them reverently, you can burn them, or you can bury them in your flower garden or vegetable garden. You may keep the palm branches for more than a year if you like, but when you’re ready to dispose of them, either burn them or bury them.
 
Ecumenical Good Friday Service
You are invited to join the churches of our community on Good Friday, 12:00-1:00 pm, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 4101 Washington St. NE, Columbia Heights, for an Ecumenical Prayer Service.
 
God Bless You,
 
Father John Mitchell 
 
Immaculate Conception Church Has Purchased a Gift For You!
 
Enjoy a free subscription to FORMED.org - an incredible online giveaway to the best Catholic content, all in one place!

FORMED provides amazing content 24/7 for you to grow in your faith.
 
It's EASY and FREE to Register!
  • Visit FORMED.org with a web browser
  • Click on REGISTER (lower right of page)
  • Enter our Parish Access Code: VKQPF9
  • Enter your email and create a password (you'll need this to login later)
  • Enjoy and share with others in our local community!
Trivia Question of the Week
Can you fill in the missing words in the following reading from the Gospel of Mark 11:8-10 that will be read this year on Palm Sunday at the beginning of Mass?
 
Many people spread their cloaks on the_____, 
and others spread leafy _____ 
that they had cut from the fields.
Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out:
"_______!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the ____!
Blessed is the ________ of our father David that is to come!
Hosanna in the ________!"

See the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
Video of the Week
Paul, Apostle of Christ (2018) | Full Movie Trailer
Books I Am Reading
"A Voice in the Wind" (Mark of the Lion, Book 1), by Francine Rivers

"Jesus: A Pilgrimage" , by Rev. James Martin, SJ
Books I Have Read This Year

" The Other Side of Beauty", By Leah Darrow

"When They Were Boys: The True Story of the Beatles' Rise to the Top" ,
by Larry Kane.

“Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith”, by Father Robert Barron.

“Joy to the World”, by Scott Hahn.
Will You Pray for a Priest Each Day?

Prayer Suggestion:  Dear Jesus, hear my prayer on behalf of your priest, Father [N]. Give him a deep faith, a bright and a firm hope. Be his comfort, his joy, and his strength. Amen.  

March 23 – Rev. Jake Anderson
March 24 – Rev. Michael Anderson
March 25 – Rev. Tony Andrade
March 26 – Rev. Leonard Andrie
March 27 – Rev. Michael Arms
March 28 – Rev. Dennis Backer
March 29 – Rev. Al Backmann
March 30 – Rev. Bill Baer+

Answer to the Trivia Question of the Week

Many people spread their cloaks on the road , 
and others spread leafy branches  
that they had cut from the fields.
Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out:
" Hosanna !
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord !
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!
Hosanna in the highest !"

 
God Bless You,
FJM SIGNATURE Final.jpg
 
 
Father John Mitchell 
Immaculate Conception
Church and School

4030 Jackson Street NE
Columbia Heights, MN 55421

Church: 763-788-9062
School: 763-788-9065

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