Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, March 24, 2024

By adminFrom The Pastor's Desk

Holy Week and Easter are early this year. On average, Easter is in April about 75% of the time and in March only 25% of the time. We begin Holy Week this Sunday, March 24, which is Palm Sunday. Once again the Church will commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. As Holy Week progresses, the Liturgy will recall the drama of the plotting against Jesus, His arrest, barbarous death and burial. And next Sunday we will commemorate the most important event ever, the rising of Jesus from the dead.

Jesus suffered. But His suffering was transformed by God’s love into eternal life. Our suffering and our sins are not the final verdict on our lives. Love conquers sin and love conquers death. Where Jesus went, we are invited to follow.

Here are a few suggestions for Holy Week:

  1. Attend the Church’s Liturgy and services. Pray with the Church. Join with others in the communion of the Church to remember prayerfully the dying and rising of Christ. During Holy Week and Easter, the Church will gather to remember Jesus. Be present in the Church, praying and supporting the community by your presence.
  2. Pray. Read the Gospel accounts of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Spend time alone in prayer and silence.
  3. Give alms. Make a donation to support the presence of Saint John Church here in Center City. Support the work of the universal Church by donating to two important collections this week:
    • On Palm Sunday, we will have the annual collection for Operation Rice Bowl which supports the Church’s charitable work both here in Philadelphia and throughout the world through Catholic Relief Services.
    • On Good Friday the one collection will not be used to support our local parish, but the work of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land. Once again, the Holy Land is at war and the Church needs our support to remain a presence of love in a land of anger and hate.
  4. Visit someone who is alone or sick this Easter.

Don’t treat Holy Week like just another time. Make it a sacred time by your prayer and sacrificial generosity.

Operation Rice Bowl

Our Second Collection this weekend (March 23- 24) supports the charitable work of the Catholic Church both in Philadelphia and throughout the world.

Jack’s Yacs

This Sunday, March 24, (Palm Sunday) after the 6 PM Mass, all young adults are invited to the parish center for pizza, beer and a movie that will have a Lenten theme.

Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities

All are invited to join our Secular Franciscan fraternity on this Sunday March 24 after the 10:30 Mass for a presentation by Sister Lisa Lettiere, IHM, on the inclusion of all people, especially those with disabilities, in Catholic ministerial and social settings. Sister is the Principal of St. Lucy's Day School and Archbishop Ryan School for the Deaf. 

Fr. Tom Betz

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