We stand in the church today with our palm branches and listen to the Gospel account of the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  We join with the original throng and countless people over the centuries to praise Christ, the Son of David, a King, our King, the one we choose to follow.  But we look beneath the event to discover what is truly happening.

Jesus proceeds over the Mount of Olives down into the Kedron Valley into the city through the gate prophets long ago had predicted the Messiah, the long awaited redeemer, would enter.  Once inside the city the chief priests and leaders of the Temple would question him and examine him to discover, “we find no fault in him.”  What was going on at the other end of the city?  As Jesus was entering the city through one gate, the shepherds were leading the sheep for Passover through the Sheep Gate. Some 250,000 sheep were to be sacrificed by the priests in the Temple.  These had to be examined, for the law was very explicit about offering a lamb without blemish, without fault for the Passover meal.

This triumphal entry of Jesus is then none other than the Lamb of God being led to the slaughter.  He is the new sacrifice.  He is the one who takes away the sins of the world and makes it possible for those who believe in him and follow his way to have access to the Father.  He is the Lamb of Passover who established a new covenant with God and forms a new people.

When we stand together with our palm branches we say more than hurray to Christ. We say, “We are with you.”  “We are your people and, once again, we choose to follow your lead.”  And every time we come to Eucharist, we enter into the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord, the Lamb of God, and we offer ourselves with him and our brothers and sisters to the Father.

Now we enter into Holy Week with the institution of priesthood and Eucharist on Thursday and Jesus’ blood shedding of the new covenant on Friday and his rising to bring all who die to life.  We will renew our commitment to the Father and to the following of Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit by our communal renewal of baptismal vows.

Come, join with us each of these days. 

Offertory for March 12^th & 13^th     $3935.00

Envelope Offerings                     $3348.00

Loose Cash                                   $ 587.00

St. John/St. Hugh                       $ 149.00

Parish Pastoral Council Nominations

We are seeking nominations for the Sacred Heart Parish Pastoral Council for the year 2005-2006.  If you wish to assist the Pastor in the apostolic work of the parish, namely its evangelizing, governing, charitable and social aspects please call Claire at 781-862-4646 and ask to be put on the nomination list. 

The plan right now is to take nominations up to Palm Sunday and then on Easter Sunday and April 3^rd we will have photos of those running for the Parish Council along with a short bio on each.  The ballot will be inserted in the bulletin on April 10^th at which time you will be able to vote for your choice.  We shall have the pictures and bios at the entrance doors of the church and in the parish center the weekend of April 10^th.

Holy Week Schedule

We will have three Masses on Easter Sunday, 7:00, 9:00 and 11:30am.  The schedule for the Triduum is as follows:

Holy Thursday            7:30pm

Good Friday               7:30pm

The Easter Vigil           8:00pm

Holy Land Peace & Oil

Please read the flyer in this week’s bulletin for details of a presentation by Palestinian Christians on biblical peacemaking in the Holy Land and a simple way you can be part of that.

Holy Humor

A little boy was overheard praying:

“Lord, if you can’t make me a better boy, don’t worry about it.  I’m having a real good time like I am.”

Ted Heuchling says that the food collection for St. John/St. Hugh two weekends ago was bountiful.  He had all he could do to stuff it and himself in his 4-door Saab, which also has a generous trunk.  Father Best was very grateful, and wanted to be remembered to all of his friends here.  He said that they now have a date (not recalled by Ted) to merge St. John/St. Hugh with another predominantly African American parish, to be re-named St. Catherine Drexel, and to be housed in the church building that we know as St. John/St. Hugh.  He prays with us for a survival of Sacred Heart.

Celebrating Adoption

A gathering of Sacred Heart & St. Brigid’s Adopted Families young and older will be held Saturday, April 2^nd at Sacred Heart Parish Center.  A potluck supper and activities for the kids will begin at 4:30 ending at 8:30pm.  Please plan to bring age appropriate activities for your children or grandchildren.  RSVP by March 29^th with the number of attendees and food category for the potluck supper to Pat Kush, 781-223-5909 or Donna Heuchling, 781-721-0418.

Emmaus Encounter

Interested in knowing more about Religious Life and the Grey Nuns?  Come to an Emmaus Encounter on Saturday, April 9^th, 2:00 – 6:00pm at The Grey Nuns, 1977 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington.  If interested contact Sr. Gladys Marhefka, SGM at 781-862-4700 X35 (days) or 781-862-0938 (evenings).

This week we ask you to pray for those who are ill, including, Brianna Cimino, Rosemary Harvey, Regina Jones, Andrea Hynes, Joyce Amos, Regina Wingard, Erin McMehon, Maria Aguis, George Beck, Dr. Kenneth Spengler, Josephine Murphy, Peter Bugda, Norma Berstein, Camille Michals, Rob Morway, Patricia Hassett, Paul McCann, William Francis, Lillian Davenport, James Fontaini, Henri Fradette, William Blair, Agatha Pals, Kath Rodriegas, Nancy Driscoll, Dante DiManna, Margie Levine, Doug Phillips, Andrew Day, Peggy Sue Grow, Mary Serpa, Deborah Miller, Dorothy Lee, William MacKinnon, Mary Jefferson, Elizabeth Conte, Shane McCarthy, Mildred Wood, Violet Caldaroni, Frank Cote, James Bresnahan, Ann Mulray, Rita Mahan, Jackie Sullivan, Jean Babbin, Gerard Sarno, Dorothy Grant, Gretin Cervantes, Marisol O’Brien, Paul Pantano, Fran Ressetar, Cecelia Hines, Margaret Wright, Renee Chapman, Peter Bellini, Edward Borden, Christine Gainer, Chris Ann Colletti, Helen McLaughlin, Paul Doherty, Jorge Loayza, Lauren Forgette, Chuck Kiernan, Margaret Coughlin, John McCarthy, Don Sabatand, Laura Mac Aulay, Alyssa Frazer, Bill Graham, Bob Remeika, Edward Semanko, Matthew Gablor, Mary Hosford, Morgan Brady, Willie Smith and Jose Ribeiro, Jane Eastham, Joseph Coppola, Betty White, Michael Calderoni and Dorothy Barton. 

Wings

Women from St. Brigid and Sacred Heart have come together to form a ministry called WINGS, (Women in God’s Spirit).  WINGS is a faith enrichment group for women of all ages who want to grow in their relationship with God and each other.  WINGS allow us to enrich our spiritual lives while forming new bonds of friendship through prayer, discussion and learning.

Please note the flyer in today’s bulletin that gives the dates and presenters of the meetings beginning in March.  There are sign up sheets at each door for your convenience.

Shades of Ireland

Experience the Ireland of old at a medieval banquet in a castle.  Behold the spectacular beauty of the Cliffs of Moher.  Meet the locals on a visit to a working Irish farm.  Have coffee and scones while they explain their everyday life.  Join the locals in a fun-filled Irish evening complete with dinner and traditional Irish entertainment.  Travel the Ring of Kerry.  Stay overnight in a castle.  All this can be yours if you join us as we leave on July 29^th for a 10-day stay in the “Old Sod”!  We have only a few spaces left.  Call 781-862-4646 for your brochure and sign up for this fabulous trip!!!

We would like to WELCOME all who have joined with us to celebrate Palm Sunday Liturgy.  Please plan to be with us as we celebrate the Triduum this coming Holy Week.

Bulletins	Sacred Heart Parish Bulletin - March 20, 2005	Home