Dear Parishioners,

This Sunday is Palm Sunday. It has also been called Passion Sunday. It is the traditional commemoration of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem where he will suffer at the hands of those bent on His destruction. At the beginning of the solemn entrance to the church building before the celebration of mass, the celebrant addresses the People of God with these words.

"Dear friends in Christ, for five weeks of Lent we have been preparing, by works of charity and self-sacrifice, for the celebration of our Lord's paschal mystery. Today we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with the whole Church throughout the world. Christ entered in triumph into his own city, to complete his work as our Messiah: to suffer, to die, and to rise again. Let us remember with devotion this entry, which began his saving work and follow him with a lively faith. United with him in his suffering on the cross, may we share his resurrection and new life."

These few words explain how best to live out "holy week." We are to "follow him with a lively faith." Through the Church, God invites us to walk the journey of Christ's suffering and death and so too experience Christ's resurrection, which also awaits us - his followers. The journey that you and I are being asked to walk this week is one that should dominate our focus and attention. As each of us more fully appreciates the love that God has shown us through the journey of Christ, we are challenged to be more faithful in our own journey throughout the course of our own lives as his followers. Together, let us pray that the palm branches that we wave and cherish on this special Passion Sunday will be indicative of a "lively faith" that displays itself not just in words but most importantly in actions.

Palm Sunday is just the beginning of Christ's journey this Holy Week. It will take us to the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, to the cross on Good Friday and to the celebration of Resurrection on Saturday at the Easter Vigil. This day, Palm Sunday, is the door that opens up to this Holy Week. My friends, the challenge is to walk with the Lord the full length of the journey. Will you take the time this week and walk with your Lord through his passion - death - and resurrection? The fruit of such a walk can only lead to your own ultimate journey to eternal life.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Tarantino
Pastor