Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
From The Font
“Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest."
The greatest scripture scholar of the ancient world was St. Jerome. By his time, the word Hosanna was old. It didn’t have a single, clear meaning in Hebrew or Greek, but he believed it originated from two Hebrew words of Psalm 118. In this “Hallel” psalm, the antiphon ”Give thanks to the Lord for He is good” was recited by one of the priests every day during the procession round the altar, during the Feast of Tabernacles, when the people were commanded to “rejoice before the Lord” (Lev 23:40); and on the seventh day it was recited each time during the seven processions. When the priest reached what we call verses 25–26, the trumpet sounded, all the people waved their branches of palms, myrtles, willows, etc., and shouted with the priest the words: “Save us, we beseech thee, O Lord! O Lord, we beseech Thee, give us success! Blessed be he who enters in the name of the Lord!” The Hebrew for “Save us, we beseech Thee” was “hoshi’a na”. This was repeated so frequently that it became abbreviated into “hosanna...”
There are actually a lot of words and phrases in Christianity that have their origins in weird little quirks of history. The early Church was already challenged by four major languages. The official language of government was Latin. The common language of most of the Roman world was Greek. The common language of Jerusalem and of the Jewish diaspora across the Mediterranean was Aramaic. And the Ritual Language of Worship for the Jews was Hebrew. And so, from the beginning, there were a lot of words which hopped languages with changes of spelling and pronunciation.
Even the name Jesus is a bit of a linguistic mess! The name that Mary used when she spoke to her son was “Yéshua.” He was called by His own people “Yeshua Mashiach” which is pronounced “YEH-shoo-ahk Meh-she-uh-kuh”. In Greek that becomes “Íesu" (pron. “Yay-soo) “Chisti” (pron. kree-ste).
In many ways, the very fact that both Hosanna and the Holy Name of Jesus are both such linguistic oddities should turn our minds back to the Tower of Babel and the humility it was meant to instill!
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
One of my favorite Church jokes is to look at someone who is a little discombobulated and say “you look as lost as a Jesuit in Holy Week!”
Holy Week may seem like a lot now, but our modern form is really, really simplified. Prior to the 1950 changes, each day of Holy Week had its own special and unique character.
Palm Sunday, then as now, was full of music and decor and red vestments and, of course, palms. The highlight, though, was the chanting of the entire Passion from St. Matthew’s Gospel. It was sung by three people and set to hauntingly beautiful tones.
Monday was consciously a day of restful preparation. The idea was that the rest of the week is full speed ahead and so take some quiet to get ready.
Tuesday was a meditation on St. Mark’s Passion narrative with two entire chapters of the Gospel chanted at Mass.
Wednesday things took a deliberate step up with the reading of Judas’ betrayal and so, in the English-speaking world, Wednesday of Holy Week was also known as “Spy Wednesday.”
Also, depending on the place, the ancient tradition of Tenebrae might be sung in the evening. Tenebrae, properly speaking, is part of the Monastic Liturgy of the Hours, but it was adapted long ago for the whole Parish to gather and to hear the scriptures read, the chants sung and to symbolically get ready for Easter by first lighting and then slowly extinguishing candles accompanied by some liturgical sound FX.
“Maundy” Thursday got its name from the ceremonial washing of feet (“the Mandatum”). Thursday is the day in which Jesus established the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper and in doing so, established the Priesthood. As such, the Bishop calls the priests of the diocese together and they renew their vows at the Chrism Mass in which the oil of Chrism, the oil of the sick, and the oil of catechumens is also blessed.
The parish Mass for Holy Thursday typically repeats the pattern of the Washing of Feet and ends with the altars being stripped bare and the Holy Eucharist being reposed as a separate altar for meditation.
Good Friday is much the same as it always was. Mass is not celebrated and the services are somber and reflective. The Cross and the Death of Jesus are the heart of the day.
Holy Saturday marks the beginning of the Easter Season with the celebration of the Paschal Vigil in which light, water, the dance of silence with sound symbolize the Resurrection of Jesus and provide the human senses with a powerful experience of our Church and Liturgy as Drama Queen.
Some modern people would argue that these symbolic aspects are unnecessary or detrimental, but they miss what’s taking place entirely. If Jesus is fully man and fully God and we are a unity of body and soul, then any real worship in spirit and in truth of Jesus Christ requires a complete immersion of the spiritual in the physical. That’s just what Holy Week is meant to be!
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Father Ferre on the 10th Anniversary of his death (March 3)/friends
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon No Mass
- Tue NO MASS - Fr Ryan in Alexandria for Mass of Holy Chrism
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Lillie “SeSe” Holstead (birth anni on 4th)/family
- Thu 5:30 In memory of deceased members of Regan, Adams, and Weimer families/Regan
- Fri 5:30p NO MASS - Liturgy of Good Friday
- Sat 8:00p In memory of Pat Bullard (death) and R.L. Reynolds (birth)/family
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Margo Corulla
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 4/1 5:30p | None Scheduled | A Keene |
| 4/2 9:00a | Chandler and Annie | J Howington |
| 4/8 8:00p | TBD | MA Gilfoil, B Sullivan, M Rome |
| 4/9 9:00a | MaryKatherine and Courtland | C Guizeriz |
| 4/15 5:30p | None Scheduled | A Farlow |
| 4/16 9:00a | Cooper and Maura | Youth |
Upcoming Events
- Confessions every Friday & Saturday from 5p until Mass at 5:30p
- Sunday Morning Catechism in the Hall after the 9:00a Mass unless otherwise indicated
Pastoral Council meeting monthly on the third Tuesday at 6p unless otherwise indicated
April 6-8 Holy Week - see schedule for services elsewhere in bulletin
- April 8 Easter Egg Hunt - Church Hall at 10 a.m. (see notes elsewhere in bulletin)
For Your Information:
ROSARY GROUP… a group of parishioners is meeting on Monday at 5:30 p.m. to pray the Rosary. Everyone is invited to join the group. If you need additional information, please contact the Coordinator, Louise Magoun, at 318-341-2403.
FORMED.ORG… FORMED has a collection of videos for Lent that are worth checking out at https://watch.formed.org/lent. Remember to sign in using our parish’s zip code (71282) at http://signup.formed.org
EASTER FLOWER CONTRIBUTIONS…there are envelopes on the table at the entrance of church if you would like to contribute to the Holy Week and Easter Sunday decorations and lilies. Please be sure to include if your gift is In Honor or In Memory of someone.
EASTER EGG HUNT… on the church grounds on Saturday, April 8, at 10 a.m. Stephanie Marsh is giving leadership to the event so please check with her to offer your assistance. We will need hard–boiled eggs that are dyed or plastic eggs with treats so your help is appreciated..
EMPOWERING GOD’S CHILDREN… parish volunteers must be VIRTUS trained and go online regularly at www.virtus.org for the latest training bulletins. Any questions or issues can be reported to the office. Printed resources are available on the table at the entrance to the Church. “Protecting our Children, Understanding and Preventing Child Sexual Abuse” includes Resources and Contact Numbers for reporting abuse. “Protecting God’s Children, Teaching Touching Safety Quick Reference Guide” The Diocesan Policy for the Protection of Minors and The Diocesan Code of Pastoral Conduct for Priests, Deacons, Pastoral Ministers, Administrators, Staff, and Volunteers are available in the Safe Environment section of the diocesan website at DioceseAlex.org or a copy may be requested from the Safe Environment Office (318) 445-2401.
PLEDGE TO HEAL...If you or a family member has been abused or victimized by a representative of the Catholic church or a member of the clergy, please believe in the possibility for hope and help and healing. Dr. Lee Kneipp, Clinical Psychologist, Victim Assistance Coordinator, Diocese of Alexandria encourages those persons to come forward and speak out. Dr. Kneipp is establishing support groups in the central Louisiana area for victims and family members. The focus of these groups is to further emotional and spiritual healing as an adjunct to therapy, in an atmosphere of others who understand the pain, betrayal, and fear associated with abuse. Dr. Kneipp can be reached at 318-542-9805. All calls are confidential.
Stewardship “The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue that I may know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them,” says Isaiah in today’s first reading. The gifts God has given us are likewise given for the good of others. How am I using my gifts?
Second Collection this weekend is for our Building Fund
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| February Budget | $ 8,444 |
| February Income | $ 8,788 |
| February Expenses | $ 9,571 |
| March Budget | $ 8,444 |
| March 25-26 Collection | $ 1,986 |
| March Income To Date | $ 9,529 |
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Harper Bedgood (April 2, 2012), Betty Smith (April 2), Carter Sullivan (April 2), Walker Sullivan (April 2), Henry Ellerbee (April 7), Ann Marie Marsh (April 8, 2013)
In Our Daily Prayers…
Please let us know of anyone who is ill or hospitalized and would like to receive a visit from Father. Also, help us keep our prayer list up to date by advising us of those who should be added or removed.
Our Holy Father Pope Francis; Bishop Robert Marshall, and our Diocesan leaders, our President, Governor, Mayor and national, state and local elected representatives
Our parishioners who are sick, shut-in, or otherwise in need of our prayers: Connie and Dan Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Leslye Ellerbee, Susan and Johnny Gilfoil, Terry and Andy Hall, MaryJane Johnson, Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Terry and Susie Murphy, Sue & Mike Rome, Delia Trichell, and Don Wood
Those under full-time care: Frances Kennedy, Carol Dunning
Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Lee Adams (Smith), Ashley Alexander (Regan), Graham Allen (S Gilfoil), Kathryn Wood Allsopp (D Wood), Pam Amacker (Gilfoil), James and Carolyn Arceneaux (Book), Marie Farlow Bellard, Tommy Bickham (C Copes), Chris Breard (Gilfoil), Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Ruthie Coenen (Wilks), Jami Cook (Wilks), Susan Ward Daigle (Gilfoil & Keene), Don Deweese, Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Joe Farlow, Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Monique Florence, Judy Fortenberry, April Franklin (Wilks), Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), Charlotte Green, Rita Hargrave, Arlice Evans Headley, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Charles Howington, Sue Johnson (Lancaster), Dee Jones (Keene), Averyell Kessler (Lancaster), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Boyce Miller, John Neill, Caryn Oliver, Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Frances Robinson (Wilks), Bailey, Scott and Tiffney Rome, Dianne W. Roper (Murphy),Tuleta Sasser (Wilks), Albert Thom (Rome), Barbara Thomas (Gilfoil), Tommy Trichell, LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Joe Yerger,
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Callie Ezell, Lilly Falgout, Chris Hall (USMC), Nick Hall, Bruen Johnson, Caroline Marsh, Emmy Lu Marsh, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Marsh Wood
