Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
From the Scripture
“Hosanna!”
This Hebrew word springs from hoshiya-na, meaning “save, please,” rooted in yasha (to save), echoing Mashiach (Messiah)—not identical in spelling (הוֹשִׁיעָה vs. מָשִׁיחַ), but linked by hope. “Hosanna” pleads, “God, send a savior!”
During Jesus’ triumphal entry (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19), vast crowds, waving palms, shouted it, seeing Him as Messiah. Not a small band, but a multitude hailed Him, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9. Mark notes the donkey (Mark 11:2-7)—unneeded practically, yet chosen to match prophecy: the humble king. Jesus intentionally claimed that title.
For Christians, “Hosanna” evolves. Knowing Jesus as God’s Son—crucified, risen (Matthew 28:6), and ascended (Acts 1:9-11)—it’s no mere plea. It’s praise, thanksgiving for salvation beyond Israel’s borders (John 3:16-17). The Jews crying “Hosanna” envisioned a warrior-king toppling Herod and Pilate, wielding miracles—raising the dead (John 11:43-44), discerning hearts (John 2:25). They craved earthly rule, not the cross’s cosmic victory.
That gap stings. “Hosanna” rings through Holy Week, from palms to passion. After His death (Mark 15:37), Joseph of Arimathea laid Him in a tomb (John 19:38-42), guarded tight (Matthew 27:62-66). Yet on the third day, the stone rolled back (Luke 24:2-3), and the risen Jesus appeared—to Mary Magdalene (John 20:16), the disciples (Luke 24:36-43), even 500 others (1 Corinthians 15:6). Their “Hosanna” didn’t foresee this: a king conquering sin, not Rome.
So, “Hosanna” is bittersweet. It heralds betrayal, nails, and a spear (John 19:34), yet also resurrection light. The Church Fathers captured it: “per crucem ad lucem”—through the Cross to the Light. From Golgotha’s darkness to Olivet’s ascent, Jesus redefines the cry. It’s not just “save us” but “You have saved us!”—a song of triumph over death, echoing as He commissions His own (Matthew 28:18-20) and rises to reign (Acts 1:11).
Thoughts from Fr Ryan
Next Sunday, at Easter, our second collection will support the Infirm Priests of our diocese. Unlike most collections, this is one of two annual offerings - along with one in mid-September - that isn’t assessed. That means 100% stays here at St. Edward, not shared with the diocese.
Why? Each month, we contribute a fixed amount to the diocese for every priest in residence - here, that’s just me - to fund their retirement and medical care. These special collections bolster that effort, ensuring our priests are cared for in their later years. The diocese urges generosity, and I’m grateful in advance for your support. Thank you!
Also, I want to make a special encouragement for everyone to do their best to attend the Holy Week services. Holy Thursday really is a special time. The procession at the end of Mass and the “stripping of the altar” is powerfully evocative. Good Friday, likewise, is a tour de force of symbolic gesture and action. The opportunity to venerate a relic of the true Cross of Jesus is, literally, a once a year kind of chance. Services on Thursday and Friday are at 5:30p and both last right at one hour.
The Holy Saturday Paschal Vigil is a bit longer. It begins at 8pm and ends around 9:30p. But it, too, is 100% worth your time to make this Easter season extra special! Whatever your plans, make this Holy Week a fitting end to Lent and the beginning of a great Easter!
Thoughts on the Liturgy
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 read or 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 Pat Bullard (death) & R L Reynolds (birth)/Bullard
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon 9:00a In memory of
- Tue NO MASS
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Jack Ellerbee and in honor of John Ellerbee/Family
- Thu 9:00a In memory of Delia (birth) and Thomas Trichell/Tommy
- Fri 5:30p Good Friday Service - No Mass
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Thomas Magoun/family
- Sun 9:30a Pro Populo for the Living & Dead members of our Parish Family
Altar Candles this week are burning in memory of Becky, Beverly, and Edgar Lancaster
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) | EMHC(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/12 5:30p | None Scheduled | A Farlow | N Ernst |
| 4/13 9:30a | Cooper, Maura, MIchael | B Sullivan | - |
| 4/19 8:00p | None Scheduled | MaryAnne, Beth, Mike | None |
| 4/20 9:30a | Annie and Thomas Meyers | D Ellerbee | - |
Upcoming Events
- Confessions every Friday & Saturday from 5p until Mass and Sunday from 9a until Mass
- Sunday Morning Catechism in the Hall (with Coffee & Donuts) after the 9:00a Mass during the School Year unless otherwise indicated
- Pastoral Council meeting monthly on the third Wednesday at 6p unless otherwise indicated
- April 16 Pastoral Council meeting - 6 p.m. - Parish Hall
- April 19 Easter Egg Hunt for our children and their guests … 10 a.m. at church
- April 27 First Communion for our young children …. Reception following Mass
For Your Information:
FORMED.ORG… has an entire page of weekly featured videos that are worth checking out at https://watch.formed.org/this-week-on-formed. Remember to sign in using our parish’s zip code (71282) at https://signup.formed.org
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. PASTORAL COUNCIL..will hold its regular meeting on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2025 at 6:00 p.m in the Church Hall. Appointed members of the Council are: Kathleen Ellerbee, Norman Ernst, Jamie Howington, Mike Rome, Jason Trichell and Shannon Wood. Appointed as Trustees by the Bishop are Michel Lancaster and Cathy VanderVieren. Appointed by the pastor to serve as Finance Council Chair is Darryl Ellerbee. All members are requested to make a special effort to attend. Parishioners are encouraged to attend and contribute to the discussions.
EASTER EGG HUNT….on the church grounds on Saturday, April 19, at 10 a.m. Stephenie Marsh assisted by Mary Katherine 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.
ENVELOPES FOR EASTER FLOWERS AND LILIES…..can be found on the tables at the entrance of church. If you would like to make a contribution, please pick up an envelope. If you would like that to be in Memory of or In Honor of, please make that notation.
FIRST COMMUNION ….for our young people will be on Sunday, April 27. A reception to honor them will follow in the Hall and all are invited to join in.
ALTAR ASSISTANTS FOR HOLY WEEK…
HOLY THURSDAY Lector Cathy VanderVieren Altar Servers Annie, Thomas Meyers, and MaryKatherine EMHC Ann Keene
GOOD FRIDAY Lectors Stephenie Marsh, Kendra Collins, and Michael Lancaster Altar Servers Evelyn and Courtland
HOLY SATURDAY Lector MaryAnne Gilfoil, Beth Sullivan, and Mike Rome Altar Servers Michael M, Elizabeth M, (1 more Volunteer needed)
Stewardship In the Gospel story of the first Palm Sunday, we hear that the owners of the ass had only to be told, “The Master has need of it,” to give the animal gladly. Do I give as readily to the Lord’s work?
The SECOND COLLECTION on Good Friday will support the Franciscians who maintain the Holy Land.
The SECOND COLLECTION on Easter, will support the Infirm Priests Fund and will remain in our parish to offset the monthly charge assessed to our parish. It is unassessed (taxed) and 100% will remain at St Ed.
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| March Budget | $ 8,444 |
| March Collections | $ 11,810 |
| March Total Expenses | $ 10,362 |
| April Budget | $ 8,444 |
| April 6 Collection | $ 2,970 |
| April Collections To Date | $ 2,970 |
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Michael Lancaster (April 13), Joe Storey (April 14), Skeeter Wilks (April 17), Marie Ernst (April 21)
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 Pope, Francis; our 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, under full-time care and for those who care for them, and for those otherwise in need of our prayers: MaryKathryn & Nap Book, Connie & Dan Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Leslye Ellerbee, Norman and Marie Ernst, Susan & Johnny Gilfoil, Margaret & Pat Gilfoil,Terry Farlow Hall, Sidney & Mary Jane Johnson, Frances & Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Susie Murphy, Bobby Reynolds, Mike & Sue Rome, Kenny and Betty Smith
Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Ashley Alexander (Regan), Graham Allen (S Gilfoil), Marie Farlow Bellard, Nap and Martha Book, Kay Boolos (S Gilfoil), Dick & Sue Boyd (S Gilfoil), Chris Breard (Gilfoil), Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Fran Castile (Keene), Caroline and Albert Christman, Jeannie & Donald Collins, Teresa Carney Condra, Jami Cook (Wilks), Gene Cox, Marla Evans Cummings, Carol Dipert (Rome), Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Wayne Edwards, Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Emily Fortenberry, Judy Fortenberry, April Franklin (Wilks), Fred and Cathy Fulton, Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), LaVonne Givens, Charlotte Green, Theresa Gunter, Rita Hargrave, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Charles Howington, Callie Halback Hyams, Will Irby (P Gilfoil), Diane Johnson, Carla Leese (S Gilfoil), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Ruth McDonald (Copes), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Kiely McKellar (S Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Boyce Miller, Randy Parker, John Neill, Bailey, Scott, and Tiffney Rome, Dianne Roper (Murphy), Janie Saxon (Lancaster), Debbie Kedrick Sims, Tommy Trichell, LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Randy Watts, Jr.
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Preston Collins, Henry Ellerbee, Lilly Falgout, Jag Gilfoil, Bruen Johnson, Matilda Johnson, Caroline Marsh, EmmyLu March, Charlize Richardson, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Chandler Wood, Marsh Wood
