Happy Easter

Alleluia! Christ is risen indeed

Blessings of the Eastertide season.

Fr. Vincent
www.stmarypalms.org

Holy Saturday & Easter Sunday

HOLY SATURDAY, EASTER VIGIL, MARCH 30

• Morning Prayer will be prayed at 9 am. There is NO Mass in the morning.
• Parish Work Day begins after Morning Prayer - around 9:20 am. We will prepare the chapel, the church, St. Joseph Hall for the Easter Vigil rite and the Easter Sunday festive potluck brunch.
• Easter Vigil rite begins at 8 pm with the lighting of the new fire in the new plaza. This service includes the procession with the paschal (Christ) candle, the singing of the Exsultet, readings recalling our history, the Easter sermon of St. John Chrysostom, renewal of baptismal vows, receiving of Holy Communion.
• You may ring extra bells during the singing of the Gloria at this service.

4. EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 31

• FOR THIS SUNDAY, FREE PARKING IS AVAILABLE IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE ADVENTIST REFORMED CHURCH, CORNER OF FARIS DR AND TABOR AVE.
• Mass starts at 10 am
• Following Mass, join us for our festive potluck brunch

See you at Mass. 

Fr. Vincent

www.stmarypalms.org

HOLY WEEK ADVISORY

Beloved of God and of this parish:

A FRIENDLY REMINDER:

1. MAUNDY THURSDAY, MARCH 28:

• Morning Prayer will be prayed in the Chapel at 9 am. There is NO Mass in the morning. 
• Mass for the day will be at the Maundy Thursday proper liturgy beginning at 7 pm
• The proper liturgy includes the washing of feet, the procession with the sacrament to the Altar of Repose, stripping of the main Altar and keeping a prayerful vigil at the Altar of Repose at least through 10 pm
• There will be spiritual and devotional materials for your use as you watch. You may take these home with you.
• Bring a bell or gong to ring during the Gloria. 
• Please, observe and maintain meditative silence around the chapel and church.

2. GOOD FRIDAY, MARCH 29

• Morning Prayer will be said at 9 am. There is NO Mass in the morning.
• Stations of the Cross [Via Crucis] will be prayed at 12 pm in English and Spanish.
• The Proper Liturgy will begin at 7 pm. This rite includes: veneration of the cross, the praying of the Solemn Collects and communion from the pre-sanctified gifts. 
• Please, keep and maintain prayerful and meditative silence in the church and chapel.

3. HOLY SATURDAY, EASTER VIGIL, MARCH 30

• Morning Prayer will be prayed at 9 am. There is NO Mass in the morning.
• Parish Work Day begins after Morning Prayer - around 9:20 am. We will prepare the chapel, the church, St. Joseph Hall for the Easter Vigil rite and the Easter Sunday festive potluck brunch.
• Easter Vigil rite begins at 8 pm with the lighting of the new fire in the new plaza. This service includes the procession with the paschal (Christ) candle, the singing of the Exsultet, readings recalling our history, the Easter sermon of St. John Chrysostom, renewal of baptismal vows, receiving of Holy Communion.
• You may ring extra bells during the singing of the Gloria at this service.

4. EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 31

• FOR THIS SUNDAY, FREE PARKING IS AVAILABLE IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE ADVENTIST REFORMED CHURCH, CORNER OF FARIS DR AND TABOR AVE.
• Mass starts at 10 am
• Following Mass, join us for our festive potluck brunch

May God richly bless your (and our) Lenten observances.

Fr. Vincent

www.stmarypalms.org

Parish UPDATE: March 24

Beloved of God and of this parish:

1. THIS WEEKEND AT ST. MARY, Sunday, March 24

• Service begins at 10 am with the first part of the liturgy in our new plaza.
• Led by the cross, acolytes and thurifer, we will process around our block going north on Faris Dr, turning right onto Exposition Dr. and right again on Watseka Avenue, singing special music for the day and waving palm branches - signs of victory. 
• In place of the traditional Gospel reading, three Cantors will sing the Passion Gospel.  Congregation is advised to sit for the Passion Gospel until the Cantor cues us to stand at the "arrival on Golgotha" and then to devoutly kneel at the "giving up of the spirit".
• This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. It is best to plan for and make every effort to spend this week in church with all the special liturgies on Maundy Thursday [7pm]; Good Friday [7pm]; Easter Vigil [8pm] and Easter Sunday [10 am and 1 pm]. 

2.  HELP NEEDED FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY, MARCH 28. 

• We encourage you to bring flowers on Wednesday, March 27 and Thursday, March 28 to help decorate the meditation garden/Altar of Repose in readiness for Maundy Thursday

3. HOLY WEEK AT ST. MARY

There are many opportunities for spiritual and christian formation available for your use this Holy Week and I would like to encourage you to make use of these. Here are a few.

• TUESDAYS:  Evening Prayer at 7:00 pm
• GOOD FRIDAY: Stations of the Cross [Via Crucis] at Midday 
• Consider making an appointment for Sacramental Confession before Easter.
• Explore the services of a Spiritual Director. Talk to Fr. Vincent or Julia Bergstrom, Fr. (Br.) Derek Ford, SSF, Fr. Anderson, [all certified Spiritual Directors], if you have questions.

4.  NEXT SUNDAY: MARCH 31

• EASTER SUNDAY. Mass begins at 10 am. You have fasted and observed Lent for forty days, now come let us celebrate the joy of Easter. Post-Mass refreshment is potluck.Please, sign up on the provided Sign-Up sheet so we have a count of who is bringing what food in order to avoid duplications.

5. VERY SPECIAL THANKS: 

• to all who strive month by month to be current on their pledges. We are running a very tight budget and we count on all pledges to help sustain the ministries of this parish. God richly replenish and bless all you give to help build his kingdom.
• to all parishioners for sustaining the ministries of this parish and for striving to grow in discipleship, in our baptismal vows and in helping spread the good news of God in Jesus Christ
• to our benefactors and ministry partners. You can always make a secure and safe donation to the parish online at our website www.stmarypalms.org 
• to our youth for their determination to grow in discipleship and in relationship with God and us

6. UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Worship Committee meeting: Saturday, March 23 at 9:30 am
• Parish Work Day: Saturday, March 30 beginning with Mass at 9 am. 
• FIRST AND THIRD SATURDAYS:  Desire of the Nations Movie Night at 6:30 pm.  We'll be watching movies from or about the various countries our families come from. 

• Next Confirmation Class is Sunday, April 7. Class meets after Mass in St. Cecilia room. Of your charity, please pray for our confirmation candidates: Kevin, Natasha, Audrey, Michelle and Yasmine and for their sponsors: Jojo, Inez and Daphne.

• NEWCOMERS CLASS: Meets every second Sunday after Mass in the Chapel. Just show up. Meetings last for 45 minutes. Learn about our faith, our church, the ministries of this parish and how to grow your own faith.

• Special Offerings for Lent: 
  • Good Friday collection to support the work of the church in Jerusalem.
  • Flowers for Easter. Please, consider making a donation for flowers for Palms Sunday as well. 

7. OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Continued healing for Bianca Mussenden, Sandra, Robby, Anthony Joseph, Gerda, Bea, Sister Rosina, OSH, Margaret Gottschalk.
• Archbishop Justin Welby, as he begins his ministry as 105th Archbishop of Canterbury
• All who are searching for meaningful work and relationships
• All who are battling cancer. diabetes and Alzheimers.
• God's comforting and strengthening presence for all who are overwhelmed with work
• Our students Vincent, Larry Jr, Simone, Obed, Natasha, Yasmine, Jeffrey, Audrey and Michelle.
• Our Palms community that it would be safe for all residents
• All who are being prepared for baptism at Easter.

8.   EXTRA NEWS

• For news from or about the Diocese of Los Angeles, please, go to to www.ladiocese.org
• For news about or from Palms, please, go to www.palmsla.org
• For news about the EXPO Line extension, please, go to www.buildexpo.org

See you at Mass.

Fr. Vincent

Parish UPDATE: March 17

Beloved of God and of this parish:

1. THIS WEEKEND AT ST. MARY, Sunday, March 17

• The Fifth Sunday of Lent (formerly known as Passion Sunday)
• Mass begins with the singing of the Great Litany in procession within the nave of the church. Join us in praying for the needs of our world and the church.
• Vestry Meeting following the 10 am Mass
• Movie Night: Saturday, March 16 at 6:30 pm. We'll continue the series on India. Please, tell and bring a friend.

2. NEXT SUNDAY: MARCH 24

• Service begins at 10 am with the first part of the liturgy in our new plaza.
• Led by the cross, acolytes and thurifer, we will process around our block going north on Faris Dr, turning right onto Exposition Dr. and right again on Watseka Avenue, singing special music for the day and waving palm branches - signs of victory. 
• In place of the traditional Gospel reading, three Cantors will sing the Passion Gospel.  Congregation is advised to sit for the Passion Gospel until the Cantor cues us to stand at the "arrival on Golgotha" and then to devoutly kneel at the "giving up of the spirit".
• This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. It is best to plan for and make every effort to spend this week in church with all the special liturgies on Maundy Thursday [7pm]; Good Friday [7pm]; Easter Vigil [8pm] and Easter Sunday [10 am and 1 pm]. 

3. LENT AT ST. MARY

There are many opportunities for spiritual and christian formation available for your use this Lent and I would like to encourage you to make use of these. Here are a few.

• TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS:  Evening Prayer at 7:00 pm
• THURSDAYS : Bible Study at 7 pm. We are currently studying the Book of Nehemiah. Everyone welcome. We are done by 8 pm. We meet in the home of Shay and Belinda Sharma.  
• FRIDAY: Stations of the Cross [Via Crucis] at 9:30 am and 6:30 pm. Last in the series will be Friday, March 22.
• FIRST AND THIRD SATURDAYS:  Desire of the Nations Movie Night at 6:30 pm.  We'll be watching movies from or about the various countries our families come from.
• Pick up a booklet for daily meditations in Lent. These are available in the chapel area and at no cost to you.
• Attend Daily Mass
• Consider making an appointment for Sacramental Confession before Easter.
• Explore the services of a Spiritual Director. Talk to Fr. Vincent or Julia Bergstrom, Fr. (Br.) Derek Ford, SSF, Fr. Anderson, [all certified Spiritual Directors], if you have questions.

4. VERY SPECIAL THANKS: 

• to all who strive month by month to be current on their pledges. We are running a very tight budget and we count on all pledges to help sustain the ministries of this parish. God richly replenish and bless all you give to help build his kingdom.
  
• to all parishioners for sustaining the ministries of this parish and for striving to grow in discipleship, in your baptismal vows and in helping spread the good news of God in Jesus Christ
• to our benefactors and ministry partners. You can always make a secure and safe donation to the parish online at our website www.stmarypalms.org 
• to our youth for their determination to grow in discipleship and in relationship with God and us

5. UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Training of New Acolytes: Saturday, March 16 at 3:30 pm in the church. 

• Los Angeles [ASICS] Marathon: Sunday, March 17. Our very own Stephanie Zynda is running. Please, keep her and all runners in your prayers and cheer especially for Stephanie and Michael.

• Worship Committee meeting: Saturday, March 23 at 9:30 am

• Parish Work Day: Saturday, March 30 beginning with Mass at 9 am. 

• Next Confirmation Class is Sunday, April 7. Class meets after Mass in St. Cecilia room. Of your charity, please pray for our confirmation candidates: Kevin, Natasha, Audrey, Michelle and Yasmine and for their sponsors: Jojo, Inez and Daphne.

• Easter Sunday: March 31. Mass begins at 10 am. You have fasted and observed Lent for forty days, now come let us celebrate the joy of Easter. Post-Mass refreshment is potluck. Please, sign up on the provided Sign-Up sheet so we have a count of who is bringing what food in order to avoid duplications.

• NEWCOMERS CLASS: Meets every second Sunday after Mass in the Chapel. Just show up. Meetings last for 45 minutes. Learn about our faith, our church, the ministries of this parish and how to grow your own faith.

• Special Offerings for Lent: 
  • Good Friday collection to support the work of the church in Jerusalem.
  • Flowers for Easter. Please, consider making a donation for flowers for Palms Sunday as well. 
  • Help needed for Maundy Thursday. We encourage you to bring flowers on Wednesday, March 27 and Thursday, March 28 to help decorate the meditation garden/Altar of Repose in readiness for Maundy Thursday.

6. OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Continued healing for Bianca Mussenden, Robby, Anthony Joseph, Gerda, Bea, Sister Rosina, OSH, Margaret Gottschalk.
• Pope Francis as he begins his ministry as Pope and Roman Catholic Bishop of Rome
• All who are searching for meaningful work and relationships
• All who are battling cancer. diabetes and Alzheimers.
• God's comforting and strengthening presence for all who are overwhelmed with work
• Our students Vincent, Larry Jr, Simone, Obed, Natasha, Yasmine, Jeffrey, Audrey and Michelle.
• Our Palms community that it would be safe for all residents
• All who are being prepared for baptism at Easter.

7.   EXTRA NEWS

• For news from or about the Diocese of Los Angeles, please, go to to www.ladiocese.org
• For news about or from Palms, please, go to www.palmsla.org
• For news about the EXPO Line extension, please, go to www.buildexpo.org

See you at Mass.

Fr. Vincent

Parish UPDATE: March 10

Beloved of God and of this parish:

1. THIS WEEKEND AT ST. MARY, Sunday, March 10

• The Fourth Sunday of Lent. Laetare Sunday,  fourth Sunday in Lent in the Western Christian Church, so called from the first word (“Rejoice”) of the introit of the liturgy. It is also known as mid-Lent Sunday, for it occurs just over halfway through Lent, and as Refreshment Sunday because it may be observed with some relaxation of Lenten strictness. In medieval England simnel cakes (special rich fruitcakes) were consumed on this day. In the Anglican churches it is sometimes called Mothering Sunday, with reference to a verse in Galatians 4:27   http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/327669/Laetare-Sunday
• Mass begins with the singing of the Great Litany in procession within the nave of the church. Join us in praying for the needs of our world and the church. 

2. NEXT SUNDAY: MARCH 17

• Fifth Sunday in Lent (formerly known as Passion Sunday).  This is the Sunday before Palm Sunday and two Sundays before Easter. 
• Vestry Meeting following the 10 am Mass

3. LENT AT ST. MARY

There are many opportunities for spiritual and christian formation available for your use this Lent and I would like to encourage you to make use of these. Here are a few.

• TUESDAYS:  Evening Prayer at 7:00 pm
• THURSDAYS : Bible Study at 6:30 pm. We are currently studying the Book of Nehemiah. Everyone welcome. We are done by 7:45 pm 
• FRIDAY: Stations of the Cross at 9:30 am and 6:30 pm; Evening Prayer at 7:00 pm 
• FIRST AND THIRD SATURDAYS:  Desire of the Nations Movie Night at 6:30 pm.  We'll be watching movies from or about the various countries our families come from.
• Pick up a booklet for daily meditations in Lent. These are available in the chapel area and at no cost to you.
• Daily Mass
• Consider making an appointment for Sacramental Confession 
• Explore the services of a Spiritual Director. Talk to Fr. Vincent or Julia Bergstrom, Fr. (Br.) Derek Ford, SSF, Fr. Anderson, [all certified Spiritual Directors], if you have questions.

3. VERY SPECIAL THANKS: 

• to all who strive month by month to be current on their pledges. We are running a very tight budget and we count on all pledges to help sustain the ministries of this parish. God richly replenish and bless all you give to help build his kingdom.
• to all parishioners for sustaining the ministries of this parish and for striving to grow in discipleship, in your baptismal vows and in helping spread the good news of God in Jesus Christ
• to our benefactors and ministry partners. You can always make a secure and safe donation to the parish, online at our website, www.stmarypalms.org 
• to our youth for their determination to grow in discipleship and in relationship with God and us

4. UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Pledge Cards: If you have not picked up your Pledge Cards or Pledge Envelopes, please remember to do this on Sunday. Our talents, treasure and time makes the ministries of this parish possible. Thanks for sharing your spiritual and temporal gifts with us.
• Palm Sunday procession [Sunday, March 24]: We will bless the palms in the new plaza and process around the block - Faris to Exposition to Watseka and end up in the church. Service will start at 10 am. 
• Next Movie Night: Saturday, March 16 at 6:30 pm. We'll continue the series on India. Please, tell and bring a friend.
• Next Confirmation Class is Sunday, April 7. Class meets after Mass in St. Cecilia room. Of your charity, please pray for our confirmation candidates: Kevin, Natasha, Audrey, Michelle and Yasmine and for their sponsors: Jojo, Inez and Daphne.
• Special Offerings for Lent: 
  • Good Friday collection to support the work of the church in Jerusalem.
  • Flowers for Easter. Please, consider making a donation for flowers for Palms Sunday as well. 
  • Help needed for Maundy Thursday. We encourage you to bring flowers on Wednesday, March 27 and Thursday, March 28 to help decorate the meditation garden/Altar of Repose in readiness for Maundy Thursday.

5. OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Continued healing for Bianca Mussenden, Robby, Anthony Joseph, Gerda, Bea, Sister Rosina, OSH, Margaret Gottschalk.
• All who are searching for meaningful work and relationships
• All who are battling cancer, diabetes and Alzheimers.
• God's comforting and strengthening presence for all who are overwhelmed with work
• Our students Vincent, Larry Jr, Simone, Obed, Natasha, Yasmine, Jeffrey, Audrey and Michelle.
• Our Palms community that it would be safe for all residents
• All who are being prepared for baptism at Easter.

6.   EXTRA NEWS

• For news from or about the Diocese of Los Angeles, please, go to to www.ladiocese.org
• For news about or from Palms, please, go to www.palmsla.org
• For news about the EXPO Line extension, please, go to www.buildexpo.org

See you at Mass.

Fr. Vincent

www.stmarypalms.org

Daylight Savings Time March 10

Parish UPDATE: March 3

Beloved of God and of this parish:

1. THIS WEEKEND AT ST. MARY

• The first screening in the "Desire of the Nations" film series. Film begins at 6:30 pm on Saturday, March 2 in St. Joseph Hall. Bring a friend and the family.
• The Third Sunday of Lent. Mass begins with the singing of the Great Litany in procession within the nave of the church. Join us in praying for the needs of our world and the church. Please, do not take the Worship Service bulletins or Plainsong inserts with you, we need these for the whole season of Lent. Thanks.
• Confirmation class continues after Mass in St. Cecilia room. Of your charity, please pray for our confirmation candidates: Kevin, Natasha, Audrey, Michelle and Yasmine and for their sponsors: Jojo, Inez and Daphne.

2. NEXT SUNDAY: MARCH 10

 Laetare Sunday,  fourth Sunday in Lent in the Western Christian Church, so called from the first word (“Rejoice”) of the introit of the liturgy. It is also known as mid-Lent Sunday, for it occurs just over halfway through Lent, and as Refreshment Sunday because it may be observed with some relaxation of Lenten strictness. In medieval England simnel cakes (special rich fruitcakes) were consumed on this day. In the Anglican churches it is sometimes called Mothering Sunday, with reference to a verse in Galatians (4:27).

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/327669/Laetare-Sunday

3. LENT AT ST. MARY

There are many opportunities for spiritual and christian formation available for your use this Lent and I would like to encourage you to make use of these. Here are a few.

• TUESDAYS:  Evening Prayer at 7:00PM 
• THURSDAYS : Bible Study at 6:30PM. We'll are currently studying the Book of Nehemiah. Everyone welcome. We are done by 7:45 pm 
• FRIDAY: Stations of the Cross at 6:30PM; Evening Prayer at 7:00PM 
• FIRST AND THIRD SATURDAYS:  Desire of the Nations Movie Night at 6:30PM.  We'll be watching movies from or about the various countries our families come from.
• Pick up a booklet for daily meditations in Lent. These are available in the chapel area and at no cost to you.
• Daily Mass
• Consider making an appointment for Sacramental Confession 
• Explore the services of a Spiritual Director. Talk to Fr. Vincent or Julia Bergstrom, Fr. (Br.) Derek Ford, SSF, Fr. Anderson certified Spiritual Directors if you have questions.

3. UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Pledge Cards: If you have not picked up your Pledge Cards or Pledge Envelopes, please remember to do this on Sunday. Our talents, treasure and time makes the ministries of this parish possible. Thanks for sharing your spiritual and temporal gifts with us
• Palm Sunday procession [Sunday, March 24]: We will bless the palms in the new plaza and process around the block - Faris to Exposition to Watseka and end up in the church. Service will start at 10 am. 
• Special Offerings for Lent: 
• Good Friday collection to support the work of the church in Jerusalem. 
• Flowers for Easter. Please, consider making a donation for flowers for Palms Sunday as well.
• We will need flowers to decorate the meditation garden on Maundy Thursday. More on this next week.

4. OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Continued healing for Bianca Mussenden, Gerda, Bea, Sister Rosina, OSH.
• All who are searching for meaningful work and relationships
• All whoa are battling various forms of cancer.
• God's comforting and strengthening presence for all who are overwhelmed with work
• Our students Vincent, Obed, Larry Jr, Simone, Jeffrey, Audrey, Natasha and Michelle.
• Our Palms community that it would be safe for all residents
• All who are being prepared for baptism at Easter and confirmation

5.   EXTRA NEWS

• For news from or about the Diocese of Los Angeles go to to www.ladiocese.org
• For news about or from Palms, please go to www.palmsla.org
• For news about the EXPO Line extension, please go to www.buildexpo.org

See you at Mass.

Fr. Vincent

www.stmarypalms.org