We welcome parishioners, friends, neighbors, and guests to the Church of St. Mary this Palm Sunday!
In prayer, we celebrate the beginning of the holiest week of the year, with the celebration of Palm Sunday. Masses on Palm Sunday are different than Masses celebrated on any other Sunday throughout the liturgical year. You may be aware of the differences celebrated on Palm Sunday. On Palm Sunday there are two Gospels that are read. On Palm Sunday, the priest leads the people into church. On Palm Sunday there is no penitential rite. On Palm Sunday we raise palm branches high, recalling our Savior's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. On Palm Sunday we join in the reading of the Passion.
In the Gospel reading to begin our Palm Sunday celebration we hear; "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!"
What a joyous and glorious celebration as voices praise Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Imagine if you can, being one of the many on the side of the road as Jesus passes by, palm branches held high, praising God with heart and voice.
In the Passion reading during the Masses on Palm Sunday we pray:
"Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion who stood facing Him saw how He breathed His last he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" "
What a devastating reality for our Blessed Mother seeing her son scorned and crucified. What a challenging reality for our Lord's disciples to see the one they love, ridiculed, mocked and nailed to the cross. Imagine if you can, being one of the many on the side of the road as Jesus passes by, burdened by the weight of the cross, being led to Mount Calvary where He will suffer a painful death for all humanity.
We, as Christians and as Roman Catholics call this week "holy"!
What will make our week "holy" during Holy Week of 2018?
How will we prayerfully enter into the Sacred Triduum, celebrated on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday?
May we focus our time, our actions, our celebrations, our prayer this Palm Sunday, and throughout this very special, prayerful and Holy Week.
Parishioners were mailed copies of our Holy Week and Easter schedule of Masses and celebrations. Please consult the bulletin, the parish web site, and the letter in the mail for the details of our Holy Week celebrations.
If you are going to be traveling and out of town, may the church you attend for Masses and services this Holy Week be welcoming to you and other guests. May the parishioners of St. Mary's always be open to and welcome guests and visitors.
God be with you with a renewed heart this final week, this Holy week, of our Lenten season.
