Palm Sunday
From Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the triumphant emotions of the waving of the palms at the beginning of Mass to Mark’s account of the passion during the liturgy—today’s gospels fill us with emotions of joy for his arrival and sadness for his suffering.
This dichotomy of feelings may leave you asking—Why does the Church opt for us to hear both readings at the beginning of Holy Week? To fully prepare us and allow us to see what Jesus accomplished. By calling our attention to the final week of Christ’s life on earth, we can begin to understand his depth of love for everyone. During his suffering, he held you close to his heart. During Holy Week, offer yourself to Christ as he offered himself for your salvation.
Holy Saturday | March 30
Today, the Church waits in silence, for the Lord has died, but not yet risen—signifying the end of the holiest time in the liturgical calendar.
Mary Magdalene and the other women who kept watch for dawn to anoint Jesus’ body, only knew that he was dead. Expecting to find a corpse, they arrived at his Jesus’ tomb to find that God had already rolled away the heavy stone, revealing an empty tomb.
Just like Mary Magdalene and the other women, we too keep vigil. However, unlike these women, we know of his coming resurrection. Our faith, much like the light of the Easter Vigil candle, tells us that Jesus has already opened the treasures of heaven for us, allowing us all to truly know God. Let us prepare to rise with Christ!
Good Friday | March 29
John’s passion narrative—read every Good Friday—begins and ends in two separate gardens. Arrested in one garden and laid in a tomb within another garden just hours later, we see Jesus’ mission come to life.
Despite the horrific ugliness that he endured in the time between these two gardens, Jesus chose to bear not only our guilt, but the guilt of those who played a role in his crucifixion. This imagery, despite the despair and death, shows us the beauty and hope that exists in Jesus’ love for us.
Herein lies the message of the cross, today and every day: You are loved. You are redeemed. Accept his mercy!
Holy Thursday | March 28
The readings from the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper provide two extraordinary moments that reveal the core of Jesus’ identity.
In instituting the Eucharist, he told of his upcoming greatest act of sacrifice, that soon he would in fact pour himself out completely to rescue us from sin. In washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus gave them a “model to follow” (John 13:15), modeling humility as a servant, showing how to humble oneself for the purpose of lifting up another.
These two moments work to create an inseparable bond between himself and his disciples. Today, as disciples, we are called to do the same—to live our lives in love and service. Fix your heart on Jesus and ask what you can do to imitate his example.
Fish Fry
Celebrate Lent with your parish community at a fish fry!
During Lent, we fast and abstain from meat on Fridays. Attend a Fish Fry at one of parishes in the diocese.
Visit dioceseofgaylord.org/fishfry for a listing of all Fish Fries throughout Lent.
Rachel's Vineyard Retreats
What: Rachel’s Vineyard is a safe space to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion. Held all over the world, these retreats offer you a supportive, confidential, and non-judgmental environment where woman and men can express, release and reconcile painful post-abortion emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing. The weekend will help your soul find a voice and transform the pain-of-the-past into hope and love.Cost includes two-night accommodations, meals and retreat materials. Financial help available to those in need.
When: April 26-28, 2024
Where: Augustine Retreat Center, Conway, MI
Cost: $220 (financial aid available)
Contact to register and more information: Jane O’Brien, 231-675-1715, jobrien4611@gmail.com
Kristyn Lent, 231-838-8383, kristyn63@icloud.com
Image: Color, BW, 1920x1080
National Eucharistic Congress: July 17-21, 2024
Parishes from every corner in our nation will gather at the feet of Jesus, boldly anticipating a new Pentecost at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis.
Join Bishop Walsh and other faithful from the diocese. The Diocese of Gaylord is offering a package including a discounted rate for the full Congress pass. For questions and to register, contact Ami Peterson, Director of Faith Formation at 989-705-3539 or apeterson@dioceseofgaylord.org
Solidarity Fund for National Eucharistic Congress
The National Eucharistic Congress has recently released information about a Solidarity Fund available for both individuals and groups interested in attending the Congress but who are unable to afford the inherent costs.
For individuals:
The scholarship application is available for anyone interested in applying. The application is self-guided and user-friendly.
For groups:
The scholarship application for groups requires some collaboration with the Diocese of Gaylord, and is meant for youth, school, or parish groups. If you are interested in bringing a group from your parish or school, please reach out to me or Ami Peterson, (989) 705-3539, to learn more about what the process looks like.
For both groups and individuals, the link to apply for the Solidarity Fund is below:
Solidarity Fund for Financial Assistance (eucharisticcongress.org)
Up North Catholic E-Newsletter
The Diocese of Gaylord has recently launched a weekly e-newsletter that will help deepen your understanding and relationship with God. Subscribe now and receive a variety of faith-based content including Bishop Walsh's "Checking In" video via email every Wednesday afternoon. Sign up today: dioceseofgaylord.org/subscribe.
Family Perspective by Bud Ozar
