Palm Sunday

My Dear Parishioners,

In our coming together for the Lord’s Day we mark the first day of Holy Week, Palm Sunday. This day opens before us the week in which we will solemnly commemorate the Lord’s suffering, death and holy resurrection. The liturgy for this day begins with a remembrance of the Lord Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem. The blessing of the palms reminds us of the exuberance which greeted Jesus but as the liturgy continues with the reading of the Passion narrative from the Gospel of Saint Luke, chapters 22:14 – 23:56, we are reminded that this welcome was short lived. The HOSANNA became CRUCIFY HIM.

The liturgies which will be celebrated this week are done only this week, that is once a year. It is important that all of us participate in these solemn rites which recall the price which was paid for our salvation. To excuse oneself from these holy days should be unthinkable. All of us, young and old, are called upon to readjust our schedules and change our routines so as to accommodate the “King of Glory,” who suffered that we might have life.

As your father I encourage you to attend the liturgy on Holy Thursday evening as we recall the Last Supper and the institution of the Most Holy Eucharist. Good Friday recalls the death of the Lord in the afternoon liturgy at which we venerate the Holy Cross. The Resurrection celebration begins on Saturday evening at the Great Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter at which time those who have prepared for the Initiation Sacraments will be welcomed into the Body of Christ. PLEASE COME EACH DAY! BRING THE CHILDREN SO THAT THEY WILL BE EXPOSED TO OUR WORSHIP AND FAITH. This week is HOLY and it demands a HOLY RESPONSE from all of us. Attending church during this Holy Week is a sign of your acknowledgement that Christ suffered and died for you, for us, and that by His sacrifice you have been saved.

Two things before I conclude. The first is that a special collection is taken on Good Friday to support the Church in the Holy Land. Our offerings are used to help the native Christians of the Middle East who live in very difficult, and for many cruel, situations. Our offerings also help to maintain the shrines which have for centuries marked the places where the Lord Jesus came preaching the Gospel message. Our generosity is imperative for this cause. PLEASE BE GENEROUS!

Secondly, the RICE BOWLS, which collected our alms and sacrifices during this Lenten season should be brought to the church next Sunday and placed in the receptacle located in the altar area.

A busy week, a HOLY WEEK is ahead! I look forward to seeing you in church so that together we may commemorate the sacrificial love which has won for us ETERNAL LIFE!

Father Zig