Palm Sunday

03-28-2021Pastor's LetterFr. Dan Connealy

Happy Palm Sunday!

This weekend we commemorate Our Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem and the beginning of Holy Week. One of the great gifts I’ve had is to spend time in Jerusalem; this was probably about 6 six years ago at Christmas time. The old city of Jerusalem has narrow streets and is very crowded and noisy. I can only imagine the same was the case in the time of Jesus. His entrance of great joy, causing everyone to sing, “Hosanna!”, would have been quite remarkable. And yet, we know what will happen. Those who welcome Jesus with joy will have their voices drowned out by the Jewish leaders in a matter of days. The Lord freely submits himself to all of those for our good. He submits himself to what might seem to be the great hypocrisy of the crowd for love of us. As we begin this Holy Week we are invited to walk with Jesus each day. I would very much encourage you to read the daily gospel each day and enter into the scenes with Jesus.

If you are able to join us for the liturgies of the Triduum please do! This is the holiest time of the year when we celebrate these important liturgies with great solemnity.

Please keep in prayer those who will be baptized and receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. We are grateful to witness to their faith as they come into the Church.

Tomorrow, Monday, myself and Fr. Vietor will join the rest of the priests of the diocese for the Chrism Mass. At this Mass, celebrated by Bishop Olmsted, oils will be blessed which we will use at the Easter Vigil and throughout the year for those to be baptized, confirmed, and for the sick. We will also renew our priestly promises as a presbyterate. Please keep us in prayer! Know of my prayers for each of you for a very blessed and prayerful Holy Week.

In Christ, Fr. Connealy

¡Feliz Domingo de Ramos!

Este fin de semana conmemoramos la entrada de Nuestro Señor a Jerusalén y el comienzo de la Semana Santa. Uno de los grandes regalos que he tenido en mi vida es pasar tiempo en Jerusalén; esto fue probablemente hace unos 6 años en Navidad. The old city of Jerusalem has narrow streets and is very crowded and noisy. I can only imagine the same was the case in the time of Jesus. His entrance of great joy, causing everyone to sing “Hosanna!” would have been quite remarkable. And, yet, we know what will happen. Aquellos que reciben a Jesús con alegría verán sus voces ahogadas por los líderes judíos en cuestión de días. El Señor se somete libremente a todos ellos para nuestro bien. Se somete a lo que podría parecer la gran hipocresía de la multitud por amor a nosotros. Al comenzar esta Semana Santa, se nos invita a caminar con Jesús todos los días. Te animo mucho a que leas el evangelio diario todos los días y entres en las escenas con Jesús.

Si puede unirse a nosotros para las liturgias del Triduo, ¡hágalo! Esta es la época más santa del año cuando celebramos estas importantes liturgias con gran solemnidad.

Por favor mantenga en oración a los que serán bautizados y recibirán los sacramentos de iniciación en la Vigilia Pascual. Estamos agradecidos de ser testigos de su fe cuando ingresan a la Iglesia.

Mañana, el lunes por la noche, yo y el P. Vietor se unirá al resto de los sacerdotes de la diócesis para la Misa Crismal. En esta Misa, celebrada por el Obispo Olmsted, se bendecirán los aceites que usaremos en la Vigilia Pascual y durante todo el año para los bautizados, confirmados y para los enfermos. También renovaremos nuestras promesas sacerdotales como presbiterio. ¡Por favor manténganos en oración! Conozca mis oraciones para cada uno de ustedes por una Semana Santa muy bendecida y llena de oración.

En Cristo, P. Connealy

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