Pastor's Weekly Message
Palm Sunday, 12-13 April 2025
Dear Fellow Saints-in-the-Making,
Greetings in Christ the King to Whom we shout HOSANNA!
This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, and our readings reflect the full spectrum of the sacred events that take place throughout the final days of Jesus’ life on earth. As the Mass begins, we wave our palm branches high as we celebrate the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as He is hailed as King. At the Gospel, we hear how those cries turn into shouts of “Crucify Him!” as Jesus is condemned to death. This is why today is known as Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, referencing both the rejoicing of the crowds and the condemnation of the Christ all in the span of several days.
As we follow attentively the Passion of the Lord according to Saint Luke, let us all open our hearts to what Jesus will suffer before Pilate, as He is scourged, as He bears His Cross, and as He dies. Let us be cut to the heart at hearing what Our Lord suffers and endures for our salvation. Let us be moved to tears at the Passion-and Death of the Lord. And let us realize that we are all responsible, because of our individual and collective sins, for crucifying Our Lord. Let us not take for granted the Mysteries we celebrate today.
With contrition to God the Father for our sins against His Son, let us, therefore, spend time today in prayer reflecting on the Passion of the Lord and be chastened for our sinfulness yet heartened by the Supreme Love of Jesus to give every ounce of His Life Blood for our salvation so that when Easter Sunday comes, we may shout with grateful hearts that Jesus Christ has destroyed the power of sin and death.
Please consider joining us as a Parish Family to celebrate the Sacred Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil as a way of profoundly entering into the Sacred Mysteries of Holy Week. And please keep our Catechumens: Kayleigh, Walter, Alexander, and Jasmine; and our Candidates: Caroline, Cheryl, and Michael in prayer as they prepare to enter into Full Communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. You will all hold a very special place in my prayers this Holy Week.
God love you! I do. Fr. Lewis
Update on Extending Our Arms Expanding Our Hearts
As we welcome many visitors and guests in addition to our parish family members this weekend, we will witness firsthand the necessity of our expansion of our church. That includes the need for additional restrooms, which have been carefully included in the expansion design. Four restrooms will be added at the additional entryways near the sanctuary (two on each side) and two new and larger restrooms will be included in the vestibule. All six restrooms will be ADA compliant and therefore handicapped accessible so all might feel at home at St. Jude.