Palm/Passion Sunday

March 24, 2013

Walking Through Holy Week with Pope Francis

Throughout our Lenten journey, we have experienced life as a pilgrimage. On Ash Wednesday, we embraced prayer, fasting, and almsgiving: the Lenten disciplines which set us free to walk as companions on the journey with Christ. Our participants in the Ignatian Centre retreat learned to share their personal faith journey with a trusted prayer companion, to grow in self-knowledge as they encountered Christ in and through the Scriptures. Our faith-sharing groups have prayed and discussed what it means to long for the Holy. Our meditation group meets Christ in the stillness and silence of contemplative practice. We have supported the Development and Peace campaign for human dignity, spoken out against euthanasia and human trafficking, and expanded our outreach to the poor, hungry, and sick in our own parish and neighborhood. Add to this all the personal commitments we have embraced on our own Lenten journeys. Ever since Pope Benedicts unexpected resignation in early February, we have experienced the uncertainty of the sedevacante period, the excitement of the conclave, and the joy of the election of Pope Francis. While fully in continuity with the rich history of the papacy, of an apostolic succession that connects us all the way back to Peter and therefore to Christ, many of us have felt in Pope Francis a genuine breath of fresh air, a new sense of hope for the future of our Church. We think of the many firsts he represents: the first Pope from Latin America; the first Jesuit Pope. The first Pope Francis powerfully embodies the vision of St. Francis of Assisi: in his hope for a church not only present to the poor, but a poor church; in his desire to connect with ordinary people, with a minimum of fuss, reaching out particularly to the poor, the elderly, the disabled; in his ability to preach the Gospel powerfully, yet with great tenderness and sensitivity; in his openness to dialogue, and ability to connect with those for whom the church has become a source of irrelevance or anger. This is a time of hope! So as we walk through Holy Week, let us carry these images with us. On Holy Thursday, as we celebrate the great self-gift of Christ in the Eucharist, manifest in Jesus gesture of humble, foot-washing service, let us be moved by those images of Pope Francis washing the feet of drug addicts, of persons with AIDS, of expectant mothers and newborn babies. On Good Friday, as we reflect on Christs Passion and Death, let us remember the words he spoke to the Cardinals: When we journey without the cross, build without the cross, confess Christ without the cross, we are not disciples of the Lord: we are worldly, we may be bishops, priests, cardinals, popes, but not disciples of the Lord. At Easter, as we bless Fire and Water, as we offer bread and wine, we recall Pope Francis invitation to become protectors of all creation. And finally, as we celebrate the sacraments of initiation with Frank, Paul, Megan and Philippe, as we renew our own baptismal promises, let us pledge to be witnesses of Easter joy and hope: To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love, is to open up a horizon of hope. May the spirit of hope fill our sails as with Christ, as with his vicar on earth Pope Francis, we journey through the Cross to the Resurrection.

Good Friday Blood Drive Give the gift of blood, give the gift of life. From 9 am-5 pm on Friday, March 29 at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral (1085 de la Cathdrale St., Mtl.). Contact 514-931-7311.

Mass Intentions: March 24-31, 2013

March 23, 2013 4:00 Saturday, Lenten Weekday In Loving Memory Leonard & Terry Winslade, Dorothy Moore, Mike Kilbertus, The Deceased Members of the Charles McDonald Family, Vincenzo Saluzzi, Carmela & Michele Iapalucci, Lucille Wong, Mickey Laughlin, Drummond Sowden March 24, 2013 Palm/Passion Sunday Luigi & Alba Paliotti The Paliotti Family In Loving Memory Isa Mazzella, Antonio Cannavina March 25, 2013 Monday of Holy Week Francesco & Emilia Ernesta Ciampini Ciampini Tuesday 0f Holy Week March 26, 2013 Elaine St. Louis The Family Wednesday of Holy March 27, 2013
Week

The Way of the Cross Good Friday

Once again this year the young people of the parish are hard at work preparing a creative and prayer-filled presentation of the Way of the Cross. Everyone is invited to join us on Good Friday (March 29th) evening at 8:00 PM for this moving, beautiful and meaningful service.

8:30 11:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 PM 3:00 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 11:00

Take Time! Let God Find You!

A retreat with Sr. Elizabeth Purcell, fma on Saturday, April 6th, 2013 from 9 am3 pm at St. Veronica Parish (1300 Carson Ave., Dorval). Cost is $25 and includes lunch. Early bird special is $20 if you register before March 28. Contact Elizabeth Koessler at 514-925-4315 or ekoessler@diocesemontreal.org.

Dr. Mona Farrell March 28, 2013 Mass of the Lord's Supper March 29, 2013 The Passion of Our Lord The Way of the Cross March 30, 2013 The Easter Vigil March 31, 2013 Easter Morning Mass Easter Morning Mass

Millie Silvestri & Family Holy Thursday Good Friday

"Never Letting Go"

Holy Saturday Easter Sunday

Your Generosity Thank you for your on-going support of our parish Last Sundays collection was $3,146.50

A Benefit concert featuring JoAnne Mitchell along with eight, great Montreal musicians, Sunday April 14, 2013 at 4:00 PM in St. Monica's Parish Hall. Tickets are $10.00 each.

March 28 March 29th March 30th March 31st

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Holy Thursday: Good Friday: Easter Vigil: Easter Sunday

Holy Week Schedule:

Mass of the Lords Supper The Passion of Our Lord The Way of the Cross Saturday

8:00 PM 3:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 AM 11:00 AM