Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord - St. Thomas More Church

The Pastor’s Page
DAY BY DAY THROUGH LENT THE TRIDUUM
Sunday: We are a fickle people. Palm Sunday/Passion
Sunday truly reminds us of that reality. Mass opens with
the crowd loudly shouting “Hosanna!” to the Lord. These
same people, a very short time later, would be shouting all
the louder, “Crucify Him!” Do not reject the Lord today.
Shout His praises rather than condemn Him.
Monday: We tend to do one of two things when we
experience the great love and mercy of God: we embrace it
wholeheartedly or we reject it completely. In today’s
Gospel, we hear about how the crowd even plotted to kill
Lazarus because he was living proof of the Lord’s power.
What will you do today Plot against the Lord or embrace
His love How about embracing His forgiveness
Our Lenten Penance Service is tonight at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday: “One of you will betray me.” This news was very
disturbing to the Apostles and they rushed to assure the
Lord of their allegiance. Yet, Jesus told Peter that he would
deny the Lord three times that very night. And Peter did.
We betray the Lord whenever we choose to sin. Let us do
all that we can not to betray the Lord this day.
Wednesday: Isaiah spoke about having a well-trained
tongue so as to glorify God. He has given us well-trained
tongues as well and asked us to proclaim His Good News
in our world. Speak to the “weary” a word that will rouse
them today.
Last opportunity for confessions is after the Wednesday 7 pm Mass.
THE TRIDUUM
Thursday: At the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, we
commemorate the “mandatum”, the time when Jesus
washed the feet of the Apostles and instructed them to do
the same. We “wash the feet” of others whenever we serve
others’ needs. Try to help someone in need this day.
Friday: On Good Friday, we commemorate the Passion
and Death of the Lord. Jesus loved us so much that He
was willing to die for us, that we may be freed from sin and
death. He asked us to die to ourselves as well. Enter this
day humbly, recalling the sins that have pierced the Lord.
In atonement, remember that today is
a day of fast and abstinence.
Saturday: Waiting is one of the hardest things for us to do.
Holy Saturday is very much an “empty” day because it
recalls the utter desolation experienced by the followers of
Jesus. They truly believed that all hope was gone. Jesus
was dead and in the tomb. Nothing good would be able to
come of that. What feeds our own hopelessness Are we
willing to give it over to the Lord today and receive the hope
that He wants to give each and every one of us
I hope that you found these meditations to be of some use to
you as you prepared for the celebration of Easter!
LAST PENANCE SERVICES - GO WHILE YOU CAN!
The following parishes have communal penance services
scheduled so that you may prepare yourselves spiritually
for the celebration of Easter.
Unless otherwise noted, the services are all at 7:00 p.m.
April 2 St. Thomas More, Munster
St. Edward, Lowell
St. Michael, Schererville
April 3 Holy Name, Cedar Lake
Additionally, “last chance confessions” will be heard
immediately after the 7:00 p.m. Mass this coming
Wednesday, April 4th, until the last confession is heard. At
that time, the doors of the church will be locked.
THE TRIDUUM
As Easter draws near, please make note of the Mass or
service times for the holy days of Easter:
Holy Thursday, April 5
10:30 a.m. Chrism Mass at Holy Angels Cathedral
7:00 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Followed by adoration until Midnight
Good Friday, April 6
1:30 p.m. Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
7:00 p.m. Tenebrae prayer service
Holy Saturday, April 7
2:00 p.m. Blessing of Easter Baskets
8:00 p.m. Vigil Mass of Easter
Easter Sunday, April 8
Masses at 6:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 Noon
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
It was Palm Sunday.
However, because of a sore throat, little
Jimmy had to remain at home with a
babysitter instead of going to church with
his family.
When the family returned home, they
were carrying several palm fronds.
Jimmy asked what they were for.
“People held them over Jesus’ head as
he walked by,” Jimmy’s father told him.
“Wouldn't you know it,” Jimmy replied
angrily. “The one Sunday I don't go to
church and Jesus shows up!”
Easter Sunday: He is risen as He said!
PLEASE REMEMBER THEM
Please pray for the priests and deacons who
have served the Diocese of Gary so faithfully
and whose anniversaries of death are this
week:
April 2: Msgr. Everard N. Klein (1983)
April 6: Rev. Louis A. Jeziorski (1973)
Rev. Gilbert G. Wirtz (1981)
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