Palm Sunday {Prayer Request}

Pope Francis carries woven palm fronds as he walks in a procession at the beginning of Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican March 24. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis celebrated his first Palm Sunday Mass as pope March 24, telling an overflow crowd in St. Peter’s Square that Christ’s death on the cross is a source of eternal consolation and joy.

“A Christian can never be sad. Never give way to discouragement,” the pope said in his homily, assuring listeners that with Jesus, “we are never alone, even at difficult moments, even at difficult moments when our life’s journey comes up against problems and obstacles that seem insurmountable, and there are so many of them.” (from CNS)

Today these words of Pope Francis give our family special consolation, as Tim departs on a just purchased one-way-ticket to Hawaii to be at his mother's side.  Billie is in hospital with an intestinal blockage on the third day of a long-awaited vacation on the island of Kauai.  We received the call from Tim's dad this morning, a call that came much too early on this Sunday morning for anything but urgent news.

UPDATE Monday: The intestinal blockage resolved without surgery!  Tim arrived safely and is with his parents at the hospital.

Two years ago, we flew home from Italy on Palm Sunday, the final day of our family pilgrimage after attending Mass at Santa Susannah.  How time flies!

Please pray for Billie and for Cliff, too.  Thanks!

Palm Sunday

Our procession today~ Palm Sunday~ began in the parish hall, where we gathered to hear Luke's Gospel  account of Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem six days before the Passover. (Lk 19:28-40)

We processed with our blessed palms across the street and in to the church, singing and praising God.

The rain cleared just in time for our procession!

Joseph had the honor of serving as cross-bearer.

He asked to come home early from his Scout camp-out so as not to miss this opportunity.

Peter was a candle-bearer, and Zachary was acolyte.

For five weeks of Lent we have been preparing, by works of charity and self-sacrifice, for the celebration of our Lord's paschal mystery.  Today we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with the whole Church throughout the world.  Christ entered in triumph into his own city, to complete his work as our Messiah:  to suffer, to die, and to rise again.

Let us remember with devotion this entry which began his saving work and follow him with a lively faith.  United with him ins his suffering on the cross, may we share his resurrection and new life.

(today's opening prayer)

We take our blessed palms home, as reminders of our Lord's entrance into his Passion.

We now begin Holy Week.

A week set apart from all others.