From Hosannas to Crucifixion
Dear brothers and sisters, today we enter Holy Week as we celebrate Palm Sunday. Today we commemorate the arrival of Jesus at the gates of Jerusalem. With palm branches in our hands, we shout “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” This depicts the events that occurred in Jesus’ time when people gathered and joyfully welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem. Many people spread their cloaks and branches of palm trees on the road and welcomed Him. Palm branches were often used to celebrate victory and to honour royalty. Besides palm branches, cloaks were also used to welcome a king (2 Kings 9:13). By spreading cloaks and palm branches before Jesus, the multitude welcomed Him as the King, the long-awaited Messiah. They shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord – the King of Israel!” (John 12:13).
Today, many praise and glorify Jesus as King and Messiah. But what will happen in the days to come? The people will turn and cry out, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” This truly shows a drastic and ironic difference. As we enter this Holy Week, we are all invited to reflect on God’s sacrifice: from the grandeur and cheers of Palm Sunday to the cruelty and suffering of the cross, the sadness over Jesus’ death, and finally the joy and glory of His resurrection. Reflecting on the events from Palm Sunday to Good Friday, we might ask, “How could those who praised Jesus as king, within a few days, turn into people who called for His crucifixion?” Don’t we often do the same, praising God today and the next day participating in crucifying Him? One day we repent, but in the coming days, we crucify Him again with our sins. Therefore, let us ask for God’s mercy so that we may be empowered to build a true attitude of repentance and always strive to improve our lives at every moment.
Bro. Henri Suharyono, SCJ
ShareLife Parish Campaign 2024
Welcome Jesus into your hearts by sharing your blessings today
Today is Palm Sunday, a time in our Lenten journey when we are reminded of the importance of welcoming Jesus in our hearts. In the spirit of His teachings and example, let us extend our hands to those who need our help the most. Please give at the parish using a ShareLife envelope, online through our parish website or at www.sharelife.org/donate. Thank you for living the Gospel by opening your hearts and sharing your blessings.
Sacramental Statistics for 2023
The following sacraments have been celebrated in our parish in 2023 with comparable totals for 2022:
Sacrament | 2022 | 2023 |
Baptism | 93 | 86 |
1st Holy Communion | 91 | 47 |
Confirmation | 65 | 44 |
R.C.I.A. (new adult Catholics) | 2 | 2 |
Marriage | 8 | 8 |
Death | 32 | 21 |
Is God Calling You?
Blessed are those who come in the Name of the Lord! Blessed are they who live their lives in the Name of the Lord! If you feel God is calling you to the priesthood or religious life, contact Fr. Matt at vocations@archtoronto.org.
Spring Fling Market
Sunday, April 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Youth Group will hold a Spring Fling Market from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with many different items to buy from various vendors. This is a fundraiser for their activities and the Parish Campaign. Please contact Emily at emilyyeo123@gmail.com by March 24th if you have products to sell and Rosie at rsiefina@gmail.com for any youth volunteers to assist at the sale.
Prayers Needed for the Sick
We are praying for the sick of our parish: Emily Maravilla, Maylene L. Ibale, Luisito Santos, Geeta Bridgebassie, Benjamin Zdesar, Gustavo Caceres, Andrea E. Bernabey, Gloria Paraan, Victoria Munson, Juan Philipe Dominguez, Paul Offinga and Tina Lopes. May they be supported by our prayers and pastoral ministry and by the grace of God.
SACRAMENTAL PREP NEWS
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
- Registration is now closed.
CONFIRMATION
- Registration is now closed.
R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
- Registration is now closed.
Mass Intentions for March 23 – 30, 2024
Saturday 5:00 p.m.
+Ofelia Lim, requested by the family
Sunday 8:30 a.m.
+Mark Tanel, requested by S. McPherson
Sunday 10:00 a.m.
+Yvonne Rampersaud, requested by S. McDoom
Sunday 11:30 a.m.
Intentions of the Parish Community
Sunday 8:00 p.m.
+Manuel Sousa Agrela, requested by the family
Monday 7:15 a.m.
+Joseph Appiah and deceased members of the Appiah family, requested by S. McDoom
Tuesday 7:15 a.m.
+Phyllis Cogliano, requested by S. McDoom
Tuesday 7:00 p.m.
+Xavier Richard, requested by the family
Intentions of Sherene Lee
+Kayumba Claver Pierre and Beatrice Kamaraba
Intentions of Keith and Aaron Francis
+Ernest D’Silva, requested by the family
+Eulalia Espacio and Jay Bennie Yabut, requested by the family
+Jose Maria Ezpeleta
+Jose Lopez, requested by the Lopez–Santos family
Wednesday 7:15 a.m.
+Anastacia De Juan, requested by the family
Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
+Carlos and Norma De Sa, requested by S. McDoom
Holy Thursday (no intentions)
Good Friday (no intentions)
Holy Saturday (no intentions)
Holy Week 2024
Palm Sunday – March 23
Vigil Mass on Saturday: 5:00 p.m.
Masses: 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m.and 8:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. (Spanish)
Holy Thursday – March 28
NO 7:30 a.m. Mass
Misa de la Cena del Señor: 5:30 p.m.
Mass of the Lord’s Supper: 8:00 p.m.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
(English): 10:00 – 11:00 p.m.
(Spanish): 11:00 – 12:00 p.m.
Good Friday – March 29
Spanish Via Crucis: 9:00 a.m.
Pasion y Muerte del Señor: 10:00 a.m.
Solemn Celebration of the Passion and
Death of the Lord:
12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m.
Stations of the Cross: 7:00 p.m.
Holy Saturday – March 30
NO 9:00 a.m. Mass
Vigilia Pascual: 5:00 p.m.
Resurrection Vigil / Easter Eucharist: 8:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday – March 31
Masses: 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
2:00 p.m. (Spanish)
NO 8:00 p.m. Mass
Easter Monday – April 1
Mass: 9:00 a.m. (only)
