A Word from Your Pastor March 25 - Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord is the high point of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week.  This week, we enter into our annual celebration of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Let this week be truly set apart from all other weeks in your life.

Today, we read the Passion, this year from the Gospel of Mark, as we welcome Jesus into Jerusalem through the Procession of Palms.

Tuesday evening, the Diocese of Columbus celebrates the Chrism Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral at 6 p.m.  This Mass includes the blessing of the sacred oils that are used for the celebration of the Sacraments throughout the coming year: the Oil of Catechumens, Sacred Chrism and the Oil of the Sick.  At this Mass, the Bishop and Priests renew their commitment to live out their priestly ministry in the one Priesthood of Jesus Christ.  The whole Diocese gathers together as a sign of our unity in the witness of the Gospel.

Holy Thursday, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper includes the Washing of the Feet as we are reminded of the call to serve, and the institution of the Priethood and the Holy Eucharist.  At St. Timothy, our First Holy Communion class serve as an honor guard for the Eucharistic procession the concludes the Mass.  We then spend three hours in adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament to strengthen our hearts for the next events of the Holy Easter Triduum.

Good Friday brings a reading of the Passion according to John, Veneration of the Cross and Reception of Holy Communion consecrated at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper the night before.

Holy Saturday’s Solemn Easter Vigil welcomes among us the new members of our Catholic Community with the celebration of the Easter Sacraments, Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.  This impressive ceremony includes the Service of Light, Readings of Salvation History and a joyful proclamation of the Resurrection.

Easter Sunday Masses allow us all to renew our Baptismal Promises and to sing out Alleluia as we proclaim the Risen Lord to all the world.

Don’t let this Holy Week pass you by!  Come to any and all the celebrations you are able.  These are the High Holy Days of our Catholic Faith!