Pastoral Messages
Do We Have Passion?
Fr. Daniel Groody, from the University of Notre Dame, wrote “God became a human being. He entered a world where human beings have the passion to become God. But God’s passion was to become a human being.”
As we enter into the Triduum this week, reflect upon your passion for Christ. Do we have the passion to become like God, a compassionate, merciful God, loving and serving others? Bring your questions, your challenges with you as we enter Holy Week. See how God’s passion for us unfolds over Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. Perhaps your faith will be reinvigorated with a renewed passion to live our faith to the fullest!
Blessings this week,
Deacon Jim
Scripture
An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings - March 24, 2024
“He Humbled Himself, Becoming Obedient To The Point Of Death, Even Death On A Cross”
This Sunday begins the high point of our liturgical year as we walk with Jesus on his triumphant entry into Jerusalem as king. Our readings then turn our focus on Mark’s account of Jesus’ supreme act of love in his last supper, arrest, trial, scourging and crucifixion.
We begin our liturgy with the proclamation of the Gospel at the Procession (Mark 11:1-10), as we process into the Church with voices joyously proclaiming "Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord", just as they did that Palm Sunday two thousand years ago. But this is a different kind of King, coming in peace, riding on the back of a donkey.
We then continue the Mass with our first reading (Isaiah 50:4-7). In this reading, we hear one of Isaiah's “songs of the suffering servant”. “He is persecuted for His righteousness and yet He does not flinch.” This prophesy, written around the late 6th century B.C., is said to clearly prefigure Christ.
Our Epistle reading (Philippians 2:6-11) continues to emphasize Jesus’ humility, “coming in human likeness” to unite with us, bear our suffering and atone for our sins, once, for all. “Because of this, God greatly exalted Him”.
Our Gospel reading is the Passion of Our Lord according to Mark (Mk 14:1 - 15:47). Our Gospel reading is an account of the passion and death of our Lord. In this reading, the cross is depicted as Jesus' way to glory in accordance with the divine will. Thus the passion narrative is seen as the climax of Jesus' ministry and His mission on earth. While we naturally tend to focus on Christ’s suffering, we should also see it as Christ’s supreme act of love.
This Sunday begins the holiest of weeks in our liturgical year. May we not pass by this opportunity to participate in all of the liturgies and solemnities marking the last days of Jesus’ life on earth before He returned to the Father. May we reflect on Jesus' intense suffering so that we may be united with the Father as He is united with the Father. May we imitate the humility, the obedience and the love of Jesus. May we reflect deeply on this mystery of God's salvation gift to us.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032424.cfm
Upcoming Events
- Women Enjoying Rediscovering Our Catholicism - Tuesdays at 9:00 am
- Living Stations of the Cross - Thursday, March 28 at 1 pm
- Prayer Shawl Ministry - Tuesday, April 2 at 10:30 am in Room 1
- Breakfast at St. Rita - Sunday, April 7 from 8:30-10:30 am
- Boy Scout Pasta Dinner - Saturday, April 13
- Spring Square Dance - Saturday, April 27 from 6-8 pm
Latest News
- St. Rita Business Directory - add your business today!
- Liturgical Ministers - schedules and info here
- Beware of Scam Requests - if you recently received a text or email from Fr. Tim asking for gift cards or a favor, please be aware that this did not come from Fr. Tim
- Vacation Bible School - July 29-August 2; registration opens May 1
- St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center Drive - April 14-21
What's Happening This Week
Faith at Home
- 3 Minute Retreat - from Loyola Press; take a short prayer break right at your computer by spending some quiet time reflecting on a Scripture passage
- The Family Zone - a weekly Family Zone Newsletter, provided by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis of the Diocese of Rochester
Help
- How Can We Help You? - let us know!
- Helping Those in Need - "Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters..."