PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD'S PASSION - APRIL 1, 2012
Crucify him! (Mark 15:13) St. Francis de Sales once wrote: "I especially commend earnest mental prayer ... upon the life and passion of our Lord. If you contemplate him frequently in meditation, your whole soul will be filled with him, you will grow in his likeness, and your actions will be molded on his." Francis knew that if we want to see real transformation in our lives, we need to dwell deeply on the cross. One of the best ways to do this is to imagine yourself in the upper room, in Gethsemane, or on the mount of crucifixion. Picture yourself sitting next to Jesus as he consecrated the bread and wine. What does his voice sound like? What is the expression on his face? Gaze into his eyes as he stands before Pilate and receives his death sentence. Why is he silent? What is going through his mind as he hears the crowd crying out for his crucifixion? So often we think that what we do is what matters most. It does matter, but what God wants to do in us matters even more. This is why it is so important to contemplate the Passion, opening ourselves to God's grace as we do. God wants to fill us with grace as we ponder the Passion this week. He wants to make a deep impression in our souls and cut us to the heart with his love. So look up to heaven every day this week, and thank him for giving himself to you so fully. "Jesus, I am amazed at your love. Your mercy leaves me at a loss for words. AliI can say is Thank You!"
,Stewarlshi~ 1<.~ort Adult Envelopes Children's Envelopes Loose Money Monthly Envelopes Candles Easter Flowers Good Shepherd Easter
March 24th and March 25th
$1,476.00 $0.00 $159.00 $0.00 $38.00 $85.00 $40.00 $90.00
Sub-Total Total
$1,635.00 $1,888.00
THank you for your wonderful support of St. Michael's. From Fr. Jan, As Holy Week draws near we are confronted by the mystery of the cross. Our desert journey leads us to its inescapable paradox: It is only through the cross that we come to the glory of resurrection. Whether or not you have catechumens journeying toward initiation, reflecting on the rite of the signing of the senses in the rite of acceptance into the order of catechumens is a path to deeper awareness of God's grace in everything we think and do. Hear the questions contained in the individual blessings. For example: Receive the cross on your forehead. ... Learn to know and follow him. How are you learning to know God? How has following him caused you to behave differently? How is this changing you? Receive the sign of the cross on your ears, that you may hear the voice of the Lord. How is God speaking to you? In what events or people in your life do you hear God's voice? Receive the sign of the cross on your eyes, that you may see the glory of God. Where have you seen God, where do you see God's glory? How do you define "glory"? Continue your reflection, applying the blessing to your lips, heart, shoulders, hands, feet and entire person. This how intimate God is to you, to all of us. Liturgy challenges us to step out of time and space, into the sacred, the infinite. It is here that we are challenged to embrace one another in compassion and kinship. With a prayer ... Fr. Jan BLOOD DRIVE FOR MADEL YN STEWART There will be a Replenishment Blood Drive on Sunday, April 1sl between 9:00 am - 2:00 pm, at the Parker City Volunteer Fire Department, 204 South Wayne Ave., Parker, PA. Please schedule an appointment to donate blood at this drive by logging on using sponsor code ZRTN0809 or by contacting Joyce Laverick at 724-3992402. Thankyou. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS -The winner of the 50/50 monthly raffle was Amy Whitehill.
'Mass SChsluf6:
Saturday, March 31st Sunday, April 1st Monday, April 2nd Tuesday, April 3rd Wednesday, April 4th Holy Thursday, April 5th Good Friday, April 6th Easter Vigil Saturday, April 7th Easter Sunday, April 8th
Dates for Mass Intentions
5:00 9:00 8:30 8:30 8:30 6:00 12:00 6:00 5:00 9:00
pm am am am am pm pm pm pm am
Eileen Zacherl (Harry & Thelma Courson) FOR ST. MICHAEL PARISHIONERS Health of Lisa Calderone (Paul & Carole Calderone) Don Delost (Wife, Millie) NO MASS SCHEDULED messed Eileen Zacherl (Mike & Karen Salusky) broken ~ Stations of the Cross alOen Service of the Cross (Easter Flower Memorials) ~. Easter Flower Memorials Parishioners of St. Michaels (Easter Flower Memorials)
are now available. Please fill out the Mass intention envelopes at the entrance of the Church.
f,ifu"Jicaf
'Minisfers:
PalmSunday, April 1, 9:00 am Euch Min: Cirell, Haas, Maleski Lectors: Chestnut, Lentz, Snyder Servers: C & E Thompson, D. Knopp Good Friday, April 6, 12:00 Noon Stations of the Cross Server: D. Knopp Celebration of the Lord's Passion April 6, 6:00 pm Euch Min: N. Cirell Lectors: Cirell, Cratty, Miller Servers: M. Cratty, H & M King Easter Sunday, April 8, 9:00 am Celebration of the Lord's Resurrection Euch Min: Cirell, Sherman, Sporharski Lector: L. Sherman Servers: A. Barris, A. Sherman
Palm Sunday Vigil, March 31, 5:00 pm Euch Min: Cirell, J & A Marron Lectors: Cannan, Knight, Sherman Servers: H & M King, A. Sherman Holy Thursday, April 5, 6:00 pm Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper Euch Min: Cirell, Gatesman, Zacherl Lector: A. Weiss Servers: M & L May, A. Barris
Holy Saturday, April 7, 8:30 pm Easter Vigil of the Lord's Resurrection Euch Min: Cirell, Kaufman, Laverick Lectors: Cirell, Kaufman, Maleski, Miller Servers: E. Kaufman, K. Kaufman. L. May, M. May
(If you cannot keep this assignment,
please call a substitute .... if you cannot find one, please call the parish office.)
C
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Announcements)
Today, Christians living in the Holy Land endure numerous hardships for their faith as they strive to maintain a Christian presence and witness. Continued tensions and violence have taken their toll on the Christian communities living there. These Christian communities in the Holy Land are in danger of disappearing without our help. I strongly encourage you to consider responding generously to the annual Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land, to be taken up in our churches on April 6. Proceeds from the Good Friday collection for the Holy Land help to maintain the holy sites in Bethlehem, Bethany, Jerusalem, and Nazareth, to name a few. They also give concrete material assistance to the Christian communities in the Holy Land as they ministerto youth and families, while also providing education and housing forthe poor, etc. As our diocesan family prepares to celebrate the Paschal Mystery, I encourage you to participate in the events of Holy Week. Know that you are in my prayer. Please know also of my gratitude for your generous response on behalf of the Christians of the Holy Land. May the Lord bless you abundantly this Holy Week, this Easter, and beyond. Sincerely yours in Christ, The Most Reverand Donald W.; Trautman, S.T.D., S.S.1. Bishop of Erie WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON - United Methodist Church, Emlenton. For reservations and information, phone: Donna Turk 724-867-2482, Joan Davis 7234-867-0426, or Ramona Orton 724-399-2238
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, March 31st Saturday, 5:00 pm, Sunday, 9:00 am Penance Celebration, Palm Sunday, April 1st, 4:00 - 5:00 pm. Fr. Jan, Fr. Michael Allison, the New pastor of Beloved Disciple, Grove City - Do join us to receive the peace of this wonderful Sacrament. Last Lenten Vespers, Sunday, April 1st ... 5:00 after Penance Celebration Holy Thursday, Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper, April 5th ... 6:00 pm Night watch 7:00-7:30 Choir, 7:30-8:00 Altar Rosary, 8:00-8:30 Soup Group, 8:30-9:00 Bible Study, 9:00-9:30 Knights of Columbus, 9:30-10:00 Eucharistic Adoration Committee
Good Friday, April 6th ... 12:00 Noon Stations of the Cross Celebration of The Lord's Passion, April 6th ... 6:00 pm April 7th ... 8:30 pm April 8th ... 9:00 am Holy Saturday, Blessing of Baskets and Food, April 7th ... 12:00 noon Easter Vigil of the Lord's Resurrection, Easter Celebration of the Lord's Resurrection,
FROM PAM Fr. Jan will be present to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with our Religious Education families after the 5:00 pm Mass on Saturday ,March 31 st and after the 9:00 am Mass on Sunday, April 1st. Please pray for the students in our parish, Noah Nugent and Steven Snyder who will be celebrating First Reconciliation on Saturday, March 31st. All children in our parish, Preschool through Jr High are invited to participate in the procession at the beginning of the 9:00 am Mass on Palm Sunday, April 1st. We will gather in the hall downstairs. Three catechumen, Carolyn Blauser, Jared Jordan and Krista Mecum, who have been preparing through the RCIA Program, will celebrate the Sacrament of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 7th at 8:30 pm. Please pray for them and join us in welcoming them into our parish. APRIL MEETINGS 1. Bible Study group meets on Mondays at 6:30 pm 2. Altar-Rosary Society will meet on Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 pm. Rosary at 7:15. 3. Soup Group meets on the third Saturday of the month at 8:30 am. 4. Knights of Columbus will meet on Thursday, April 26 at 7:00 pm. 5. Choir Practice is held on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. 6. Adult Education will be held on Tuesday, April 1Oth at 7:00 pm.
Readings For The Next Week
April April April April April April April April 1: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 14:1-15:47 2: Isaiah 42:1-9; Hebrews 9:11-15; John 12:1-11 3: Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; John 12:20-36 4: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Hebrews 12: 1-3; John 13:21-32 5: Exodus 12:1-14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17, 31b-35 6: Isaiah 52:13-.53:12; Hebrews 10:16-25; John 18:1-19:42 7: Job 14:1-14; Peter 4:1-8; Matthew 27:57-66 8: Isaiah 25:6-9; Acts 10:34-43; Mark 16:1-8
Belonging To The Church Means Belonging To The Church's Worship.
(st. Thomas Aquinas) To belong to Christ in baptism is to belong to an assembly of worshipers, a community of ritual and sacrament.
