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.
- 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
