Welcome to Church of the Holy Spirit 1800 E. Libra Drive, Tempe, Arizona 85283 (480) 838-7474 • Fax (480) 838-6720 https://www.holyspirit-tempe-az.org April 5, 2020 - Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord “The Passion is God saying to us: no matter what you do I will keep on loving you. I will never let you down.” Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We live in strange and uncertain times. As we approach Holy Week with Palm Sunday, it will be the first time in our lives – for many of us – in which we will not be able to participate physically in the Holy Week and Easter celebrations. However, since the beginning of this pandemic, I think of you and pray for you daily when I raise the paten and the chalice containing the Most Precious Body and Blood of Christ. Although we cannot physically worship together, we are altogether united in a “mystical” way. Mystically doesn’t mean unreal; in fact, it is even more real. Through our Baptism we are spiritually linked with one another; we are sons and daughters of God in Christ. Even our loved ones who are separated from us physically or even no longer among the living, through our baptism that made us one as the Mystical Body of Christ, they are still connected to us. So, every time I offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, thinking of you and praying for you, know that even though you are not physically present, we are very much united in a spiritual way. This is a powerful truth that we can draw so much help, grace and consolation for one another especially through such trials and challenges from this COVID-19 pandemic. On Palm Sunday, each of us within our own home, turn our hearts and minds once again to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. That suffering won for all mankind the definitive victory over sin and hopelessness. God is all-powerful. He could have chosen to save us from sin in many other ways. Why did He choose to do it by suffering? What is the meaning of the Passion of Jesus? The Passion tells us with perfect clarity the message we most need to hear especially considering living presently in fear, anxiety and so many uncertainties. The Passion of Our Lord says to us is that God is faithful; we can trust Him. The Passion is God saying to us: no matter what you do I will keep on loving you. I will never let you down.” If we reject Him, scourge Him, crown Him with thorns, betray Him, even if we crucify Him, He continues to live us: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do”. Like Jesus Christ facing His passion and death, in the midst of this pandemic we are also enduring something of a foretaste of “death”. For most of us - God willing - the crisis will not result in our physical death, but many things we freely did just a couple of weeks ago are for the time being “dead” to us. We cannot do much of the work we normally do; we cannot follow through on most of the plans we made. However, many things are still available to us, things we may have previously neglected: prayer, reading of Scripture, repenting of our sins, spending quality time with family, calling on old friends. Many times I joked with you saying that we don’t need to be in a desert to spend time with God; we are living in a desert. However, many of our diversions and preoccupations are not available to us in this crisis; we are in a kind of a spiritual desert. We have to take the time to ask ourselves important questions: Where am I going with my life? Do I know the Lord? Are my priorities pleasing to Him? Am I fulfilling my responsibility to teach the faith to my family and to announce the Kingdom to others? For what sins do I need to repent? When normal life resumes, what will I have learned? Let us use this time wisely. The virus hopefully soon will go away, but the battle for our souls re- mains until our dying breath. Also, I humbly ask that you continue to support us with your tithing; we need all the help we can get to continue. (FaithDirect at https://holyspirit-tempe-az.org/donate-online) Know that I love you all, think of you and pray for you daily at Mass. Some of you have emailed me your intentions and I’ve prayed for all of them. Please continue to send me more prayer intentions. Sincerely yours in Christ, Msgr. Peter Bui
April 5, 2020 - Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord “The Passion is God saying to us: no matter what you do I will keep on loving you. I will never let you down.”
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We live in strange and uncertain times. As we approach Holy Week with Palm Sunday, it will be the first time in our lives – for many of us – in which we will not be able to participate physically in the Holy Week and Easter celebrations. However, since the beginning of this pandemic, I think of you and pray for you daily when I raise the paten and the chalice containing the Most Precious Body and Blood of Christ. Although we cannot physically worship together, we are altogether united in a “mystical” way. Mystically doesn’t mean unreal; in fact, it is even more real. Through our Baptism we are spiritually linked with one another; we are sons and daughters of God in Christ. Even our loved ones who are separated from us physically or even no longer among the living, through our baptism that made us one as the Mystical Body of Christ, they are still connected to us. So, every time I offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, thinking of you and praying for you, know that even though you are not physically present, we are very much united in a spiritual way. This is a powerful truth that we can draw so much help, grace and consolation for one another especially through such trials and challenges from this COVID-19 pandemic. On Palm Sunday, each of us within our own home, turn our hearts and minds once again to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. That suffering won for all mankind the definitive victory over sin and hopelessness. God is all-powerful. He could have chosen to save us from sin in many other ways. Why did He choose to do it by suffering? What is the meaning of the Passion of Jesus? The Passion tells us with perfect clarity the message we most need to hear especially considering living presently in fear, anxiety and so many uncertainties. The Passion of Our Lord says to us is that God is faithful; we can trust Him. The Passion is God saying to us: no matter what you do I will keep on loving you. I will never let you down.” If we reject Him, scourge Him, crown Him with thorns, betray Him, even if we crucify Him, He continues to live us: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do”. Like Jesus Christ facing His passion and death, in the midst of this pandemic we are also enduring something of a foretaste of “death”. For most of us - God willing - the crisis will not result in our physical death, but many things we freely did just a couple of weeks ago are for the time being “dead” to us. We cannot do much of the work we normally do; we cannot follow through on most of the plans we made. However, many things are still available to us, things we may have previously neglected: prayer, reading of Scripture, repenting of our sins, spending quality time with family, calling on old friends. Many times I joked with you saying that we don’t need to be in a desert to spend time with God; we are living in a desert. However, many of our diversions and preoccupations are not available to us in this crisis; we are in a kind of a spiritual desert. We have to take the time to ask ourselves important questions: Where am I going with my life? Do I know the Lord? Are my priorities pleasing to Him? Am I fulfilling my responsibility to teach the faith to my family and to announce the Kingdom to others? For what sins do I need to repent? When normal life resumes, what will I have learned? Let us use this time wisely. The virus hopefully soon will go away, but the battle for our souls re-mains until our dying breath. Also, I humbly ask that you continue to support us with your tithing; we need all the help we can get to continue. (FaithDirect at https://holyspirit-tempe-az.org/donate-online) Know that I love you all, think of you and pray for you daily at Mass. Some of you have emailed me your intentions and I’ve prayed for all of them. Please continue to send me more prayer intentions. Sincerely yours in Christ, Msgr. Peter Bui
Page 2 Please visit our parish website at www.holyspirit-tempe-az.org
Maintenance - (480) 838-7474 Rich Kozlowski - Property Manager, ext. 109 Ernie Teran - Support Staff Vince De Mott - Support Staff Elizabeth Ramirez - Support Staff
Adàn Florez - Support Staff Religious Formation (480) 838-3479 Kindergarten/Elementary Coordinator: Yvette Meyer
Youth Formation & Jr. High (480) 838-3479 Coordinator: Yvette Meyer
Youth Formation & Sr. High Young Adult - (480) 838-3479 Coordinator: Bill Price
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Call the parish office, (480) 838-7474, ext. 104. Schedule and requirements for RCIA and Adult Confirmation can be found on the parish website (www.holyspririt-tempe-az-org) under FORMATION.
BAPTISM: Baptism Preparation - Please allow 6-8 weeks to complete requirements. Parents wishing to baptize a child must show a minimum of three months active registration, including weekly Mass attendance and tithing. Call parish office (480) 838-7474, ext. 114, or email [email protected]. The Infant Baptism policy is located on the parish website (www.holyspirit-tempe-az.org). MARRIAGE: The Diocese of Phoenix mandates a nine-month period of preparation for couples seeking to be married in the church. Registration in the parish for three months is required. For Marriage Preparation contact Deacon Gary Johnson at [email protected] ANNULMENT: Contact Deacon Gary Johnson at [email protected] FACILITY RENTAL INFORMATION: For Social Hall and Community Center call
Due to the suspension of weekday and weekend Masses, Mass Intentions scheduled for Monday, April 6 through
Sunday, April 12, will be rescheduled. Families who requested a Mass Intention for this week will be
contacted regarding rescheduling.
M a s s I n t e n t i o n s
Parish Office: (480) 838-7474 [email protected] Although the parish office is closed to visitors, please do not hesitate to reach out via phone or email. Parish website: www.holyspirit-tempe-az.org
Care for the Sick Emergency Anointing of the Sick: During this time, Anointing of the Sick will be offered only to those in danger of death. Non-emergency visits to the sick and homebound have been sus-pended until further notice in order to limit the potential spread of the virus.
Chapel is open for daily prayer, 9 AM - 5 PM. The chapel is open daily from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. However, it is im-portant that social distancing be practiced. Chapel is limited to 10 or less people. This could change if strict shelter-in-place is put in place by local or state authorities. Sacrament of Reconciliation English, Vietnamese, and Spanish Wednesdays, 3-4 p.m., outside church & chapel Saturdays, 3-4 p.m., outside church & chapel
Confessions are not able to be heard over the phone. The penitent and the priest must be in the same place. For latest updates - Diocese of Phoenix: Visit https://dphx.org/stayhealthy/
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord - April 5, 2020 Page 3
Easter Triduum The Easter Triduum cannot be transferred to another time. In the Cathedral and par-
ish churches where it is celebrated, the Sacred Triduum will be celebrated with-out the physical presence of the faithful. Parish families are invited to prayerfully
unite themselves in their home and watch a Live (not recorded) televisual or internet
broadcast.
S p i r i t u a l Re s ou rc e s
The Catholic Mass is broadcast live each Sunday morning at 9 a.m. (Arizona time) from
Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix.
Subscribe to the Phoenix Diocese on
YouTube for more videos:
http://www.youtube.com/phoenixdiocese
Like the Phoenix Diocese on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phoenixdiocese
Word on Fire Daily Mass visit: https://www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass/
Sunday Masses LIVE
St. Timothy, Mesa, is live with Saturday Vigil at 5 p.m. and Sunday Mass at 10 a.m. on
https://www.youtube.com/sttimothymesa
St. Anne, Gilbert, is live with Sunday Mass at 7 a.m. on the https://stanneaz.org/live
Diocese of Phoenix Liturgical guidelines to be followed
with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic
General Dispensations
The faithful of the Diocese of Phoenix are dis-pensed from the obligation of attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days (canons 1246 and 1247). All public Masses are suspended at this time. The gen-eral distribution of Holy Communion to the faith-ful (Communion services) is not permitted. All Confirmations are canceled through the end of April 2020. For these canceled Confirmations only, in accord with canon 882, Bishop Olmsted grants the faculty to confirm Catholics to all pas-tors and parochial administrators. By law, all priests with an office already possess the faculty to confirm baptized non-Catholics when receiving them into the full communion of the Catholic Church; also, in danger of death, any priest can confirm (canon 883). Catechumens are dispensed from the scrutinies that would occur on the fourth and fifth Sundays in Lent, as allowed by no. 20 of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Readiness for any Sacrament is determined by the pastor. Catechumens will be re-ceived into the church on a future date.
Palm Sunday Palms
Unfortunately, palm branches will not be distributed to the faithful as a
cautionary measure.
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Frequently asked questions…
Is the church and/or chapel open for private prayer? The chapel is open daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. for private prayer. However, it is important that social distancing be practiced. Chapel occupancy is limited to 10 or less people. When will our liturgies resume? Until further notice, Bishop Olmsted has suspended all weekday, Saturday Vigil, and Sunday Masses. The faithful of the Diocese of Phoenix are dispensed from the obligation of attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days (canons 1246 and 1247). When you are unable to receive Communion you can make an Act of Spiritual Communion. (See page 8) Is the Sacrament of Reconciliation available? Confessions are heard Wednesdays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., outside the church and chapel entrance. Can my Confession be heard over the phone? Confessions cannot be done over the phone. The penitent and the priest must be at the same loca-tion. Is the parish office closed? The parish office is currently closed to visitors. However, please do not hesitate to call (480) 838-7474 or email [email protected]. We are here to assist! Up-to-date information is posted on the par-ish website: holyspirit-tempe-az.org. Parish-wide emails have been sent to parishioners that have an email address on file with the parish. If you have not received the parish-wide emails, please contact the parish office to update your email address.
When will parish events and ministry gatherings resume? Until further notice, all parish events and ministry meetings have been either canceled or postponed. Cur-rent information, as received, is published on the par-ish website and parish-wide emails. Please do not hesi‐tate to call the parish office, if you do not have an email address or internet access.
My child is scheduled to receive Confirma-tion 1st Eucharist in April. Will the celebra-tion still take place? Confirmation 1st Eucharist celebrations scheduled in April throughout the diocese have been postponed. This includes the Easter Vigil. Pastors will determine when the candidates are ready. Families will be con-tacted regarding rescheduled date.
Are their religious education resources available to home-school my child during this time? Yes! Those families with students who have been pre-paring for Sacraments have been contacted regarding home-study options. If you would like resources for home-study, contact the parish office, (480) 838-7474.
How can I continue my financial support to the parish? Thank you for continuing your financial stewardship with the parish during this difficult time. With public Masses suspended for the near future, we are encour-aging families to move their financial support to online. You can find giving options online at https://membership.faithdirect.net/enroll/535/9 Offertory envelopes may be mailed to the parish office or depos-ited in the drop box located outside the parish office door. Your gifts are as important now as they have ever been. God bless you for your generosity!
You are in our prayers. Let us remember what is most important in our lives ‐ God, family, and our parish community!
Parish website: holyspirit-tempe-az.org Page 5
The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me ac-cording to Thy word. Hail Mary...And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us. Hail Mary…Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glo-ry of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen. 'Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you' (Lk 1: 28) 'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb' (Lk 1: 42).
T h e A n g e l u s
Bishop Olmsted invites everyone to pray the Angelus daily at noon.
Our parish bells will ring at noon in the courtyard as a reminder!
Reaching out to our parish family
Are you receiving parish-wide emails?
If not, we do not have a current email address for you. You may email: [email protected] with your email address or call the parish office, (480) 838-7474.
The parish office has been reaching out to parish families and ministry volunteers via phone to see how you are doing.
We would love to hear from you! Please share how you are keeping your faith strong during these difficult times.
Do you have a prayer intention you would like Monsignor Peter and Fr. Cletus to pray for? If so, please let the parish office know.
Parish bulletins are available on the parish website: holyspirit-tempe-az.org, in the
chapel (open daily, 9-5 p.m.,), and outside the main parish office entrance door.
CREATE A FAMILY PRAYER SPACE AT HOME In the coming weeks, families will be spending more time together at home. One good use of this time would be to pray together on a regular basis. This prayer time together can be enhanced by creating a place in your home dedicated to prayer. Making a place for prayer in our home can help us do what the Gospel tells us, to go into an “inner room” to pray (Matthew 6:6). Make your prayer place as quiet, uncluttered, and “desert-like” as possible. It can be the corner of a room or any unused space. Furnish your prayer place with a Bible, prayer books, cross, rosary, icons, and a candle. Encourage family members to use the prayer place for personal as well as family prayer. You can bless your place of prayer, saying:
Come, Holy God. Dwell in this place of prayer, and bless it with your peace and presence. Bless all who seek you here. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
