Holy Week is here! Lent seems to have gone by really fast to me, and now we begin the holiest time of our Church year. Today, we hear the Palm Sunday gospels, receive palms to remind us to keep Jesus as our Lord and King throughout the year, and then hear the story of the passion to help us remember why Jesus entered Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday-to give His life on the cross for us.

Holy Thursday begins with the Chrism Mass at the cathedral where Archbishop Hebda will bless the holy oils for us to use this next year. They include the Oil of the Sick (for the anointing of those who are serious sick or dying), the Holy Oil (for the anointing of those preparing for baptism; also called the oil of catechumens), and the Sacred Chrism (used for baptisms, confirmations, ordination of priests, and consecrating churches and altars). It starts at 10:00 am and everyone is invited! Later that evening, we receive those oils and begin the Holy Triduum (the three days) with the Mass of the Lord’s supper. We participate in the Eucharist instituted at the Last Supper and Jesus’ great gift of His Body and Blood in that Sacrament. That night holds two other themes also: the institution of the priesthood and the commandment, or mandate, to love one another as Jesus loves us.

Good Friday, of course, focuses on the story of the cross. It is a solemn celebration of the gift Jesus suffering and death. We venerate the cross in thanksgiving for that gift. It is a day of fasting and abstaining from meat in preparation for the celebration of Easter. We know His death is not the end of the story!

Holy Saturday is that strange day when the liturgical world seems to stop. Fasting is encouraged that day as well, but not mandated—until the Easter Vigil Mass! And what a special Mass it is with the blessing of fire, the return of the Alleluia and bells, and the multiple readings from Scripture recapping the story of salvation history! There is nothing like it.

The three celebrations actually form one liturgical service: Holy Thursday opens with the sign of the cross and the Easter Vigil ends with the final blessing! They are meant to be all attended if possible. I hope you can make it!

Check the bulletin for additional opportunities to make this Holy Week truly holy!

- Deacon Mike

Have you been looking for an opportunity to grow in your relationship with Jesus and your neighbors? Our small groups are being carefully crafted to do just that, & we would love for you to join us. Simply click below to see the opportunities that the Lord is opening up to you!

The Men’s Club will be hosting Ham Bingo on Saturday, March 23. From 6-7pm, the Scouts will be serving a meal for purchase, and Bingo will run from 7-9:45 pm, as well as drawings for Ham door prizes. See you there!

The Servants of the Cross group will re-enact the Passion of Jesus Christ at three locations on Good Friday, March 29th: at noon here at Presentation Mary (1725 Kennard St.), 3:00pm at St. Jude of the Lake-Mahtomedi (700 Mahtomedi Ave.), and 7:00pm at Church of St. Peter-North St. Paul (2600 N. Margaret St.). Free-will offering welcomed. For more info or to view our YouTube presentation for those homebound or unable to attend, go to www.servantsofthecrossmn.com.

Pull up outside the Church entrance closest to the rectory between 11:30am-12:30pm on Saturday, March 30, and Fr. Peter will bless your Easter food!

Please turn in your CRS Rice Bowls to the CRS receptacles located at church entrances. All Rice Bowls should be turned in by Palm Sunday, March 24. Thank you for your generosity in supporting those in need!

The Loaves & Fishes Ministry will be taking collections this weekend, March 23 & 24. All donations can be placed in the canisters at each entrance of the church. Your donation allows us to purchase the food which we prepare and serve monthly at Dorothy Day. Last month, 277 meals were served through your generosity. Thank you to all who support!

We are currently in need of additional Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Sacristans, and Livestream helpers for our weekend Masses. Training is provided. To learn more about these ministries, and to let us know you’re interested, head over to presentationofmary.org/liturgy-prayer/liturgical-ministries/, follow the QR code, or contact Kay Mottaz at 651-842-6022 or by email at kmottaz@presentationofmary.org.

- Saturday, March 23 at 2pm or 7pm

- Sunday, March 24 at 2pm

Please note that there will be no school on Thursday, March 28; Friday, March 29; or Monday, April 1 for Easter Break. Take this time to pray together as a family on this holiest week, and have a blessed Holy Week & a happy Easter!

The Summer Care Program at Presentation of Mary School is designed to meet the summer childcare needs of parents, parishioners, and the children in our community. Our program will be a safe, fun, and affordable option for summer care. It is for children that will be in Kindergarten and older for the 2024-2025 school year. Registrations due by Friday, April 5th.

Middle School Math, Science, and STEM Teacher positions: full or part-time available. Contact Sue Lovegreen at slovegreen@presentationofmary.org or 651-842-6032 for more information.

Beginning the weekend of February 3-4 you can find students selling tickets at church entrances before or after most masses. They will also be selling them at our Soup Supper and Fish Fry nights during Lent in Kenney Hall. Tickets are $10 each and can win you one of three prizes: 1st Place: $1,500 cash (donated by the DuFresne family) 2nd Place: 1/4 Cow (donated by Sandberg Cattle Company) 3rd Place: $500 cash (Donated by the Auction Committee).

Great Scott! The 2024 Presentation of Mary Catholic School Gala is coming back to Presentation on Saturday, April 13, 2024! We need you to take action now, so you don’t get left behind! 

April may feel a long way off, but the planning and preparations for our Panther Pride Gala are well underway already! Please make sure you've read all of the information on the Gala web page to understand all the ways you can Raise Your Hand to ensure the success of our biggest fundraiser! Donate a theme basket, wine, beer, or spirits, become a sponsor, get a Gala t-shirt, or even join the planning committee! If you have any questions, contact the school office at 651-777-5877.

Donate Items to the Panther Pride Gala! We are collecting items for our silent and live auctions. Put together a fun theme basket or donate tickets to a fun event. Do you have a special skill such as cooking or woodworking? Donate a cooking lesson or a few hours of carpentry assistance! Get together with some friends and donate a hosted dinner party! The options are limited only to your imagination! Questions? Contact Gala Chair, Linda Charnowski, at lprazak@presentationofmary.org.

Do you know someone in need of prayers? Contact Kay at the Parish Office at 651-842-6022 so they can be added to our Prayer Line.

You can also contact her if you are interested in joining the Prayer Line!

Protection of Youth: All employees, and volunteers who interact with minors, are required to complete and maintain safe environment credentials (E3) through the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. To ensure successful completion of these requirements or if you have any questions regarding our safe environment practices or would like more information on what is needed to volunteer, please contact our Safe Environment Coordinator: Kay Mottaz @ 651-842-6022 or email kmottaz@presentationofmary.org.

To learn more about reporting suspected abuse, please also visit: www.safe-environment.archspm.org/report-abuse/Report.