Sunday Bulletin

March 16, 2008

 

PALM SUNDAY

of the LORD’S

PASSION

To have a “passion” for someone or something is to have a tremendous love, a great enthusiasm, an intense desire, a fervent or ardent drive for, or a fiery zeal for the object of one’s passion. 

 

This weekend heralds in the MOST HOLY WEEK of the Catholic Church’s Liturgical calendar.  On PALM SUNDAY we begin the liturgical enactment of the final, passionate week of Jesus’ life on earth as a man.  The week begins in procession and triumph. Jesus is greeted by the people as a hero, a king, a celebrity, a Messiah as He enters into           Jerusalem.  They chant His praises and wave palm branches as He passes by, symbolic of the victory and triumphal march of a Roman conqueror!

 

The Lord Jesus had begun this journey into Jerusalem, with a ‘Passion’ to save the world from sin and Satan’s grip, from death itself, many weeks earlier.  On the way He had        already predicted to His apostles the scandalous end of His passionate journey. The people’s ‘Beloved King’ would be mercilessly scourged, then dragged through the streets as a criminal, shamefully stripped of all  clothing and dignity, enthroned on a cross, crowned with thorns, spat upon and ridiculed until His last forgiving breath.   We Adore You, O Christ, and We Praise You for Your Passionate Love for Each of Us

 

MOST HOLY TRIDUUM

 

 

The word “TRIDUUM” means ‘three days’. In the history of the Church it is known as the ‘Holy Triduum’ or Holy Three Days,’ – it is also called the “EASTER       TRIDUUM.” During the Easter Triduum the Church in and through a faith mystery, by the power of God, brings real time to a stop for three days, in the midst of sacred liturgy. From the afternoon of Holy Thursday, through Good Friday, into the vigil of Holy Saturday night and the Sunday of the Resurrection, the Church celebrates ONE, tremendous, continuous,            uninterrupted Liturgy, as a ‘Single Liturgical Day’.  The liturgies of the Easter Triduum allow us,        centuries later, to have a full, active and conscious participation in the greatest loving act of God, through Jesus, for the salvation of the world.

 

The liturgy of HOLY THURSDAY begins the awesome celebration and has no formal conclusion,    blessing or dismissal. During the liturgy, we celebrate the Last Supper, the institution of the New     Covenant and the institution of the Sacramental Priesthood. The faithful are then invited to follow the Lord (in the Blessed Sacrament), into the Garden of Gethsemane (Altar of Repose) and spend time watching and praying with Jesus as He asked His Apostles to do that first night after the Last Supper.  At midnight, the altar and sanctuary are stripped bare, the tabernacle remains open and empty and the Church is closed. This represents liturgically that the Lord is taken from us by the powers of evil and   begins His holy passion and journey to Calvary.

 

 On GOOD FRIDAY, there is no Mass or consecration in any Catholic Church throughout the world. The liturgy is somber and stark. Beginning with silent prayer and prostration before the altar in recognition of our sin and unworthiness, continuing with intercession to our God, proclamation of the “Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to John” and concluding with the veneration of the cross. The faithful leave in the darkness and silence of the tomb, waiting for God to act.

 

The HOLY SATURDAY EASTER VIGIL will begin in the darkness of the tomb and then in profound joy embrace the mystery of Jesus Christ risen from the dead in the lighting of the Holy Fire and the New Paschal or Christ Candle.  

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In order to worthily celebrate the Sacred and Solemn Liturgies of Holy Week, please use the opportunities for LENTEN RECONCILIATION on Saturday at 4:30 pm or Monday through Wednesday of Holy Week at 7 pm at Saint Patrick’s O’Neill. On Tuesday, March 18th St. Mary’s sixth grade students, under Mrs. Nancy Berg, will present a PASSION PLAY at 8:15 pm.  On March 20th we enter the GREAT PASCHAL TRIDUUM: Holy Thursday and Good Friday (day of fasting and abstinence from meat) liturgies begin at 7 pm at St. Patrick’s and St. Joseph’s; Holy Saturday Vigil at St. Patrick’s at 8 pm and regular times on EASTER Sunday for both parishes. You are all encouraged to attend the liturgies of the Paschal Triduum.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO ST. MARY’S CARDINAL BASKETBALL TEAM & COACHES!

As you know, St. Mary’s made the State Boys’ Basketball Tournament after 22 years!  With superb skill and           sportsmanship they defeated the favored and unbeaten Ewing team in the first round.  The Cardinals then came to a  cliff-hanging second away from beating the eventual state champions in the semi-final round. At the conclusion of the tournament, the Cardinals were honored with the Sportsmanship Award for Class D2. Allow me to express my thanks and joy to all St. Mary’s parents and families, our cheerleaders, dance team and all of our   parishioners from our O’Neill community and St. Joseph’s for the prayers, contributions to  defray  costs,  and  outpouring of support. GOD BE PRAISED FOR HIS BLESSINGS ON US ALL!

 

On a separate note, please remember our beloved Coach Chavla and his family in your prayers on the passing of his dear mother, Adela Chavla on March 8. May her soul rest in peace.