Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord March 25, 2018 ONLINE stpetersmendota.org facebook.com/stpetersmendota @StPetersMendota Several weeks ago, I was at a correctional facility offering a Catholic service for the residents. When I had finished the service with the men, the deputy came into the room and asked if I would see a man who was on suicide watch and asked to see a minister. The deputy escorted the 30-something year old man into the room. He had been stripped of his clothing and placed in a protective padded suit for his safety. He had threatened to take his own life by jumping from the third level of the facility. He shared about his abusive childhood and his painful adult life, speaking with no emotion. He told me that his wife was in the process of divorcing him, his favorite canine companion was dying, and he felt he had little reason to continue his life. He had been told he was worthless, and he believed it. He told me that he knew Jesus. I held the St. Benedict crucifix up where he could see it, and I invited him to gaze upon it. We talked about how much God loved him and about how many lies he had been told about who he was. We talked about how God arranges events in our lives, and about how my being there that morning was a God-arranged event. We talked about laying down his pain at the foot of the cross, and about how much Jesus loved him and wanted him to be healed. This Sunday, we celebrate Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. We begin our celebration by recalling Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem to the excited shouts of “Hosanna!” by the crowd. The mood of our worship changes quickly from the joyful entry to the dramatic reading of the passion. We follow Jesus to the cross and to the tomb. Holy Week begins with this reminder of what our entire Lenten journey has been about: the cross of Christ and Jesus’ triumph over sin and death. The young man I saw at the correctional facility was carrying a very heavy cross. Most of us can’t imagine dealing with such painful wounds, while locked away with nothing but time to think about the deep sadness of life. Each of us carries a cross. Some of our crosses are known only to us and to God, but some are visible to others as well. Jesus reminded us that, if we are to be his followers, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. Whatever our cross, we can be assured that Jesus is with us as we carry it. This week, we are invited to strap on our sandals, take up our walking stick and follow Jesus on the road to Calvary. We are invited to walk that dusty road with our Savior, as he prepares to endure the cruel passion. There is a place set at the table for each of us, as Jesus eats his last meal with his disciples. Like John, we may choose to rest our heads against Jesus’ chest, as he reclines at table. We are invited to stay awake with Jesus in the garden, as he prays to the Father while his disciples sleep. We will watch with sadness, as Peter denies Christ three times and then weeps bitterly, as he watches Jesus taken away to be tortured and crucified. Jesus invites us to enter deeply into his glorious passion and death. Like the Blessed Mother, we are called to stand at the cross and watch as Jesus endures untold suffering and pain. Like Mary, we are called to be living witnesses of what happened there over two thousand years ago. We are invited to trust in the infinite and unfathomable mercy of our Savior, as he offers up his life, so that we can have our own. We are invited to come and adore. . . It is a truth of our faith, that there can be no Easter Sunday without a Good Friday. It is so important that we embrace this invitation of Christ to celebrate the mysteries of our faith in the holiest days of the Church year. In celebrating these mysteries together, we join as a community of believers to share in these transforming moments of our Savior’s passion and death. As we look to the left and to the right, before us and behind us, we see the faces of our brothers and sisters, each of us carrying our own crosses. On some days, we may be given to despair, like my brother in the correctional facility; however, each of us knows that beyond the cross and the grave lays the empty tomb! Jesus invites us to journey with him through this week, so that we can arrive at the place of glory on Easter Sunday, when every stronghold is shattered and every tear is wiped away. May our shared journey be one of deep spiritual renewal and conversion of heart. In Christ, Deacon Tim ONLINE stpetersmendota.org facebook.com/stpetersmendota @StPetersMendota 1405 Highway 13 • PO Box 50679 Mendota • MN • 55150-0679 651-452-4550 • [email protected]SUNDAY MASSES (All in Main Church) Saturday at 5 p.m. Sunday at 9 & 11 a.m. Holy Days as announced. WEEKDAY MASSES (All in Historic Church) Monday-Friday at 9 a.m. PERPETUAL ADORATION (In Chapel of the Nativity) RECONCILIATION (In Main Church) Friday 8-8:45 a.m. Saturday 3:30-4:45 p.m. Any time by appointment.
Transcript
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord March 25, 2018
ONLINE
stpetersmendota.org
facebook.com/stpetersmendota
@StPetersMendota
Several weeks ago, I was at a correctional facility offering a Catholic service for the residents. When I had finished the service with the men, the deputy came into the room and asked if I would see a man who was on suicide watch and asked to see a minister.
The deputy escorted the 30-something year old man into the room. He had been stripped of his clothing and placed in a protective padded suit for his safety. He had threatened to take his own life by jumping from the third level of the facility. He shared about his abusive childhood and his painful adult life, speaking with no emotion. He told me that his wife was in the process of divorcing him, his favorite canine companion was dying, and he felt he had little reason to continue his life. He had been told he was worthless, and he believed it.
He told me that he knew Jesus. I held the St. Benedict crucifix up where he could see it, and I invited him to gaze upon it. We talked about how much God loved him and about how many lies he had been told about who he was. We talked about how God arranges events in our lives, and about how my being there that morning was a God-arranged event. We talked about laying down his pain at the foot of the cross, and about how much Jesus loved him and wanted him to be healed.
This Sunday, we celebrate Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. We begin our celebration by recalling Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem to the excited shouts of “Hosanna!” by the crowd. The mood of our worship changes quickly from the joyful entry to the dramatic reading of the passion. We follow Jesus to the cross and to the tomb. Holy Week begins with this reminder of what our entire Lenten journey has been about: the cross of Christ and Jesus’ triumph over sin and death.
The young man I saw at the correctional facility was carrying a very heavy cross. Most of us can’t imagine dealing with such painful wounds, while locked away with nothing but time to think about the deep sadness of life. Each of us carries a cross. Some of our crosses are known only to us and to God, but some are visible to others as well. Jesus reminded us that, if we are to be his followers, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. Whatever our cross, we can be assured that Jesus is with us as we carry it.
This week, we are invited to strap on our sandals, take up our walking stick and follow Jesus on the road to Calvary. We are invited to walk that dusty road with our Savior, as he prepares to endure the cruel passion. There is a place set at the table for each of us, as Jesus eats his last meal with his disciples. Like John, we may choose to rest our heads against Jesus’ chest, as he reclines at table. We are invited to stay awake with Jesus in the garden, as he prays to the Father while his disciples sleep. We will watch with sadness, as Peter denies Christ three times and then weeps bitterly, as he watches Jesus taken away to be tortured and crucified.
Jesus invites us to enter deeply into his glorious passion and death. Like the Blessed Mother, we are called to stand at the cross and watch as Jesus endures untold suffering and pain. Like Mary, we are called to be living witnesses of what happened there over two thousand years ago. We are invited to trust in the infinite and unfathomable mercy of our Savior, as he offers up his life, so that we can have our own. We are invited to come and adore. . .
It is a truth of our faith, that there can be no Easter Sunday without a Good Friday. It is so important that we embrace this invitation of Christ to celebrate the mysteries of our faith in the holiest days of the Church year. In celebrating these mysteries together, we join as a community of believers to share in these transforming moments of our Savior’s passion and death. As we look to the left and to the right, before us and behind us, we see the faces of our brothers and sisters, each of us carrying our own crosses. On some days, we may be given to despair, like my brother in the correctional facility; however, each of us knows that beyond the cross and the grave lays the empty tomb! Jesus invites us to journey with him through this week, so that we can arrive at the place of glory on Easter Sunday, when every stronghold is shattered and every tear is wiped away.
May our shared journey be one of deep spiritual renewal and conversion of heart.
personal, life changing, life giving relationship with
Jesus Christ.
Trustees:
Jim Oricchio…………………………..651-452-3587
Helen Wilkie………………………….651-365-1334
MASS INTENTIONS
The following are the intentions
offered by the priest at Mass:
Monday, March 26 Micah Barton
Tuesday, March 27 Amber Barton
Wednesday, March 28 Audrey Geneva
Thursday, March 29 Mass For The People
Friday, March 30 No Mass
Saturday, March 31 Mass For The People
Sunday, April 1, 9 am † Louis J. and Mary A. Chapdelaine
11 am † Gerry Gutzmann
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
PASTORAL MINISTRY
FOLLOWING JESUS
Today we proclaim Jesus as our King,
but he will soon be a crucified king,
who gives his life to save us. Are we
willing to share the cross of Christ? As
his followers, let’s pray this week to
embrace our crosses with greater love
and trust.
“God dwells in our midst, in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.” ~ St. Maximilian Kolbe
It is tempting to feel as if we are all alone, especially at times we feel sad, scared or angry. Not one of us - no one - is ever alone. God, who loved us before time began, loves us right through every moment of our lives. When we feel lost and lonely, He can be found, in the Flesh, in our adoration chapel. Allow yourself to meet Him there and rest in His Presence. Christ himself knew loneliness and fear in the days leading up to his crucifixion. There is no better time than Holy Week to spend more time pondering His sacrifice in our hearts, and there is no better place to await His triumph over death itself.
The chapel is closed during Masses. If you need a sub for your hour, please refer to our substitute roster to cover your hour in advance. Contact Lisa Amos at 651-905-4304 or at [email protected] to sign up for an hour of adoration. We still need adorers at the following hours:
ADORATION CHAPEL
Senior citizens are one of the
groups who have been hardest hit
by today’s economy. Some have
lost their pensions, their spouses or
their homes. Some, well into their
seventies, have had to find part-time
jobs and still cannot make ends meet. Overwhelmed by
medical issues, some cannot afford their medications. As
their world becomes more and more difficult for them,
social isolation can become their greatest problem.
A senior citizen with frostbitten lips and fingers came into
the food shelf. He had been living alone in a tent for over a
year when a firefighter found him and took him to the
emergency room for medical help. He was overwhelmed
and emotional when he arrived at Neighbor’s. When we got
to the peanut butter section he asked if he could have an
extra jar. He said he was never without a jar of peanut
butter in his pocket, during the time he had lived alone
outside. He knew no matter the circumstances, he would
always have a source of protein available to him. It was like
his only friend. Finally, he said, “I had just lost all hope
until I was rescued. As things kept getting worse and worse,
I just kept thinking I could handle this on my own. I have
lost contact with everyone and have felt so isolated. Today I
am filled with more gratitude than I thought was humanly
possible.”
There is power in working together to strengthen our
community.
“Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted
is them most terrible poverty.”
-~ St. Teresa of Calcutta
After each Mass this weekend, special grocery bags will be
available for you to take home. Please consider filling these bags with your food donations and returning them to St. Peter’s by April 8. Monetary donations are also encouraged.
Each dollar donated is the equivalent to one pound of food. You may place your monetary donation in the collection basket at Mass. Address the envelope to Neighbors, Inc.
and write “Church of St. Peter” on the check’s memo line.
MINNESOTA FOOD SHARE
MARCH CAMPAIGN
Divine Mercy Sunday is April 8, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 4030 Pilot Knob Road in Eagan. "My image already is in your soul. I desire that there be a Feast of Mercy. I want this image, which you will paint with a brush, to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter; that Sunday is to be the Feast of Divine Mercy." Diary, 49.
The Tri-Parishes of St. Joseph in West St. Paul, St. Peter in Mendota and St. John Neumann in Eagan will celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday.
1:30-2:00 p.m. - Confessions, exposition, and adoration (Confessions made during Lent and within 20 days after the Feast are sufficient.) 2:00-3:00 p.m. - Rosary and prayers
3:00-3:30 p.m. - The Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Reposition
