SEEING CHRIST CLEARLY
We start today looking through the portals of Jerusalem, seeing crowds of people, cheering and waving palm branches in the air. The whole atmosphere is one of joy, triumph, and celebration. We can get distracted or enthralled by the scene, and not see clearly the features of Jesus as he enters. But our readings from Isaiah and Paul's letter to the Philippians clarify his features for us. He is the Suffering Servant, meek and mute before his captors and persecutors; he is the very image of the unseen God, yet will not clutch at equality with God before he endures his final confrontation in humility. Isaiah and Paul help us "behold the Lamb of God" before we hear the story of his final and greatest confrontation. It is important that we see Christ clearly before we hear the account of his passion, for we--his Body through baptism, the church--now bear his face. We must, with him, enter into this time of trial so we can, also with him, enter into his final triumph. (c) Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
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READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: Is 42:1-7; Jn 12:1-11
Tuesday: Is 49:1-6; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38
Wednesday: Is 50:4-9a; Mt 26:14-25
Thursday: Lord's Supper: Ex 12:1-8,11-14;Ps 116;1 Cor11:23-26; Jn13:1-15
Friday: Is 52:13 -- 53:12; Ps 31; Heb 4:14-16;5:7-9; Jn 18:1 -- 19:42
Saturday: a) Gn 1:1 -- 2:2 [1:1, 26-31a];
b) Gn 22:1-18 [1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18];
c) Ex 14:15 -- 15:1; d) Is 54:5-14;
e) Is 55:1-11; f) Bar 3:9-15, 32 -- 4:4;
g) Ez 36:16-17a, 18-28;
h) Rom 6:3-11; i) Mt 28:1-10
Sunday: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Ps 118; Col 3:1-4or 1Cor 5:6b-8; Jn 20:1-9 or Mt 28:1-10 or (at an afternoon or evening Mass) Lk 24:13-35
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TODAY'S READINGS
Gospel at the Procession with Palms -- Jesus' entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11).
First Reading -- In spite of my sufferings I am not disgraced. I am not put to shame (Isaiah 50:4-7).
Psalm -- My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Psalm 22).
Second Reading -- Christ emptied himself, and God filled this emptiness with exaltation (Philippians 2:6-11).
Gospel -- The account of Christ's passion according to Matthew (Matthew 26:14 -- 27:66 [27:11-54]).
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God greatly exalted Christ and bestowed on him the name which is above every name. Philippians 2:9
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Sacrificial giving nurtures the spirit of the giver and helps to build a better world.
Thank you for your support and generosity.
Last Sunday's Collection: $4,575.00
Project Faith Collection: $1,280.00
Easter Flower Collection: $2,405.00
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An “Adolescent Fertility Appreciation Program”
will be offered to all 10 - 12 year old girls and their mothers on Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 1:00 - 4:00pm at St. Clare's Hospital. The charge is $20 per daughter, mothers attend free, with a $30 maximum per family. Space is limited and reservations are required. Call the Rectory Office for an application or call 973-777-8818, ext. 264. This program is presented by the Paterson Diocese Office of Family Life.
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Learn about Social Security Disability, how to obtain benefits, and how it affects future employment.
7 pm...Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The Linn House at Saint Clare's Hospital in Sussex.
Call 973-702-2953
The program is free. Registration closes on 3/24/08.
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49th International Eucharistic Congress
Quebec City
June 18-23, 2008
Bishop Serratelli has called for a bus pilgrimage and is looking for people who will represent our Diocese at this great gathering honoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Call 973-779-0427.
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Mark Your Calendars
A Video on the Divine Mercy will be shown in the Church Lyceum on the following dates:
3/13: 7:30 PM
3/15: 6:00 PM
3/21: After Good Friday Church Service
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St Jude the Apostle Church Blood Drive
Sunday, March 30th
8:00a.m.—1:00 p.m.
New Jersey is facing a chronic blood shortage. Blood is in constant demand every day of the year. In fact, 9 out of 10 of us will need blood some time in our lives. Without adequate blood supplies the state will be unable to meet our needs. Please plan on donating on March 30th!
One pint of your blood may save up to three lives!!!
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Lenten Reflections
+If we were gardens, Lent would be a time to fertilize our soil and dig out our weeds.
+ If we were computers, Lent would be a time to overhaul our disk drive.
+ If we were highways, Lent would be a time to repair our cracks and fill in our potholes.
+ If we were batteries, Lent would be a time to get recharged.
+ If we were seeds, Lent would be a time to germinate and reach for the sun. Author Unknown
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...We extend our sincere appreciation for your donations from the Wreath Sale and Thanksgiving Food Drive to help replenish our Food Pantry in January….
Sr. Thomasina, Partnership for Social Services
…We would like to thank everyone for their generosity [for your help with our Gold Award Project] Our Troop will also be holding a huge clothing drive on 5/3 at the Littell Center from 9-3. Please call 973-462f-0356 ,Girl Scout Troop 752
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Congratulations
On March 30th, St. John's Cathedral will honor Robert L. Marcalus with the Dean McNulty Award for Service at the Brownstone House, Paterson, NJ. For tickets and more information call 973-838-6838.
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Penance Service
Modern society has lost a sense of sin. As Catholic followers of Christ, we must make an effort to recognize sin in our daily actions, words, and omissions. The Gospels show how important is the forgiveness of our sins. Lives of saints prove that the person who grows in holiness has a stronger sense of sin, sorrow for sins, and a need for the Sacrament of Penance.
Please come this Tuesday evening, March 18th at 7:30PM, to our
Communal Celebration of Reconciliation.
It is a wonderful way to prepare for Holy Week and to receive Christ's healing power for yourself and your family.
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Pasta Dinner
Sponsored by…Cub Scout Pack 90
Saturday, March 29th
4:00-8:00 in the Lyceum
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Retreats
“The greatest misfortune is to live and die without knowing God.”
St. Claudine Thevenet
Bethany Spirituality Center, Highland Mills, NY is offering the following retreats in April:
+ Working from Within-Personal Spirituality and the Healthcare Professional: 4/11-13
+ No Future Without Forgiveness: 4/19
+Aging with Grace: 4/20-25
Call 845-460-3061 or visit www.bethanyspiritualitycenter.org
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On Fire With Jesus
Youth Day with Bishop Serratelli
April 27th, 2008
Saint Mary's Abbey, Delbarton School
Morristown, NJ
This would be a perfect time to reflect on your relationship with Jesus and the Church. Immaculate Conception Parish has openings for ten young parishioners to attend this conference. Registration is required. Please call the Rectory Office if you are interested.
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Youth Ministers Needed
The NET Ministries will be conducting an interview retreat in NJ looking for young adults who might be interested in becoming a NET Team member for next year. For more information call 651-450-688 or recruiting@netusa.org
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Pass It Along “Serve -A- Thon”
On May 17th Pass It Along will hold their biggest day of service. They will be offering 20+ project sites for volunteers to donate their time to be part of a team who will be doing everything from making meals for families in need, to creating vegetable gardens for senior citizens. Please consider spending the day with others who have committed themselves to making a difference in the lives of others. Contact Susan at Pass It Along 973-726-9777 x226 or visit www.passitalong.org. If you would like to coordinate an Immaculate Conception Team of volunteers or if you are interested in being on the ICC team, please call the Rectory Office. One day can make a lifetime of difference in someone's life.
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WANTED Crafters and Venders
Craft Show—Flea Market—White Elephant Sale
Sponsored by St. Jude's Rosary Society Saturday, April 19, 2008, 9:30—3:30pm St. Jude the Apostle Church Hall
Only $15 rent per table. For information call 973-827-2045.
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Certificate in Ministry Programs Open House
Wednesday, March 19th, 6-8pm at Annunciation Center, College of Saint Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ. The College is now offering Certificate in Ministry Programs for: Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Religious Education, Parish Life Ministries, and Pastoral Administration. Programs are now available online!
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Congratulations
We would like to extend our congratulations to
Erich Hayes and
Aleksander Zaniewski
Who were confirmed here on Friday, March 7, 2008, but due to an oversight, not listed in last week's bulletin.
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Palm Sunday
The Sunday before Easter is known as Palm Sunday. It celebrates Jesus' arrival to Jerusalem for the Jewish festival of Passover. Great crowds of people lined the streets waving palm branches to welcome Him. The people were very excited. They spread branches on the road and even laid down their clothes.
They shouted “Hosanna!” which means “Save us Now!”
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Prayer Requests:
In Nursing Homes: Ceil Williams, Pauline Trofimuk, and Anna Elekes
At Home: Loraine Schenker, Maria Woppel, Diane Sidoli, Robert Zeuner, Evelyn Caljean, Danielle Dionisio, Thomas Dionisio, Jr., Steven “Itchy” Novak, Flo Yurchak, Mary Carmody, Harold & May Dickey, Debbie Yodice, JoAnn Ritz and Lisa Stine.
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In the Military: Jamison Micke, Stephen Saski, Jr., Christopher Faber, SFC Morgan McHose, LCPL William Mathes, LCPL Ernest Mathes, Karen Hassler, Tom Oroho, Maj. Stephen McKenzie, Ryan Halkirt and CPL Matt Lindquist.
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Looking Forward to a Spiritual Get-Away?
+St. John Vianney Parish is sponsoring an 11 day trip to Lourdes and the Shrines of France, June 5-15, escorted by Fr. Matthew Twiggs. Call 973-208-1200
+Join Bishop Serratelli on a diocesan pilgrimage to the Shrines of France and Lourdes, July 9-16. Call 201-825-3725 or E-mail: greatexinc@verizon.net
+ Religious Pilgrimage in Assisi, Italy, July 5-15 This pilgrimage is sponsored by the Assisi Music Festival. Join Msgr. Paul Bochicchio, Pastor of Holy Family Church, Nutley, NJ. with special Masses at The Basilica of St. Francis and the Vatican. For more information call Gregory Scime 908-277-1145
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Altar Server Schedule for 3/22-23 & 29-30
Holy Thursday 8:00pm: KMorano, SMorano
Stations of the Cross 12:30/Cemetery: JMcKeever
Sat. 8:00pm CBrossman, CLunch
Sun 7:30 MKHubbard, SMorano
9:00 AHamler, JHamler
10:30 MHocking, RHolowienka
12:00 JPayne, AAllen

Sat. 5:00pm NMoscalow, ASica
Sun 7:30 MKHubbard, JOroho
9:00 KMorano, EBriggs
10:30 ERadics, JMcKeever
12:00 JDragon, KCarafello
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Transportation Request
One of our parishioners is seeking weekly transportation to Saturday Confession and Mass. If you are able to assist, please contact Janice at the Rectory.
One small gesture can be a great service to someone in need.
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BEYOND CIVILITY TO LOVE
Community matters. The civic community matters. In most nations of the world, though seemingly not so much in this country these days, community matters more than the rights of the individual. This is not to say that the individual has no worth, but rather that individuals live in conscious service to the legitimate needs of the community.
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INSIDE THE READINGS
Writing to a community made up primarily of Jewish Christians, Matthew stresses throughout his Passion narrative connections with the Old Testament. "But all this has come to pass that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled" (26:56). Psalm 22, for example, is quoted by Jesus from the cross: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (27:46). Also, Matthew alone mentions the thirty pieces of silver given to Judas (26:15; 27:3), an insulting price. "And they counted out my wages, thirty pieces of silver. But the LORD said to me, 'Throw it in the treasury' " (Zechariah 11:12-13).
Jesus uses the Passover meal as the occasion to institute the Eucharist. Moses inaugurated the Old Covenant by sprinkling blood on the people and saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you" (Exodus 24:8). Jesus says, "This is my blood of the covenant" (Matthew 26:28). A covenant presupposes a covenanted people, the Israelites in the Old Covenant, the members of the church in the New Covenant.
Matthew alone adds one other important phrase. Jesus says the purpose of the Eucharist is "for the forgiveness of sins" (26:28). Every sacrifice in the Old Testament had an element of atonement, no matter what the main purpose may have been, such as praise or thanksgiving. Obviously atonement will be an extremely important part of every Mass. Jesus came precisely to save us from our sins.
Using apocalyptic language to show the significance of Jesus' death, Matthew speaks of earthquakes, splitting rocks, and the resurrection of the dead (27:51-52). Again, the Old Testament provides examples of that type of literature. "It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress. . . Many of those who sleep / in the dust of the earth shall awake" (Daniel 12:1, 2). Matthew is telling his readers that the death of Jesus marks the beginning of the final age, the last period of salvation history.
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THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
Jesus was able to ride the wave of hosannas through Jerusalem with glory swirling all about him and not be seduced by it. Then he was drenched in death and yet he did not drown in its darkness. In saving us, he showed us the proper place of the individual in the community.
Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD for Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis, ©2008 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.3/16/08

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