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We are halfway through the Holy Season of Lent and the Church asks us to renew our commitment to journey with Jesus through prayer, sacrifice and almsgiving for the remaining weeks. Here at school, we have concluded our collection of our Penny War for the support of the Sisters of Notre Dame's African Mission. St. Julie School in Uganda counts on all the financial and prayerful support that they receive. Thank you for helping us to continue the great work that is being done in this African mission.
Soon we will be making preparation for the final week of Lent, traditionally called Holy Week. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, the church remembers the journey of Jesus from his entry in Jerusalem to his last meal, trial, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. These are the pivotal events for our faith. Much more than Christmas, this week deserves our attention and our prayer and reflection.
On Palm Sunday, we celebrate the first joy of the season, as we celebrate Our Lord's triumphant entrance into Jerusalem five days before his crucifixion. This day takes its name from the fact that as Jesus approached Jerusalem on a donkey, the huge crowd that followed carried palm branches as they praised Him. The people hailed Him as the long awaited "Son of David", that is, the Messiah.
Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday, as it was called in the early church, remembers the events in the upper room the night before Jesus died. He began by washing the apostles' feet in order to give the example of service. Jesus tells them "...as I have done, so must you also do." It was on this night that Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper, the sacred meal. This institution of the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ which is nourishment for our spiritual journey and following of Jesus.
Following the Last Supper, Jesus leaves the upper room and goes to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray to His Father. "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will."
The events that follow are commemorated on Good Friday. Jesus' betrayal by Judas, his scourging, crowning of thorns, carrying the heavy cross to Calvary, his crucifixion and death on the cross are proof of his great love of each of us. On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead. Easter is the great celebration of Jesus' victory over sin and death. Holy Week is a marvelous opportunity for Christian growth. It offers incredible potential for satisfying spiritual hunger. It does this by exposing those who attend the services to enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ's great love for each of us.
The Cross of Jesus is our Greatest Treasure
We are halfway through the Holy Season of Lent and the Church asks us to renew our commitment to journey with Jesus through prayer, sacrifice and almsgiving for the remaining weeks. Here at school, we have concluded our collection of our Penny War for the support of the Sisters of Notre Dame's African Mission. St. Julie School in Uganda counts on all the financial and prayerful support that they receive. Thank you for helping us to continue the great work that is being done in this African mission.
Soon we will be making preparation for the final week of Lent, traditionally called Holy Week. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, the church remembers the journey of Jesus from his entry in Jerusalem to his last meal, trial, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. These are the pivotal events for our faith. Much more than Christmas, this week deserves our attention and our prayer and reflection.
On Palm Sunday, we celebrate the first joy of the season, as we celebrate Our Lord's triumphant entrance into Jerusalem five days before his crucifixion. This day takes its name from the fact that as Jesus approached Jerusalem on a donkey, the huge crowd that followed carried palm branches as they praised Him. The people hailed Him as the long awaited "Son of David", that is, the Messiah.
Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday, as it was called in the early church, remembers the events in the upper room the night before Jesus died. He began by washing the apostles' feet in order to give the example of service. Jesus tells them "...as I have done, so must you also do." It was on this night that Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper, the sacred meal. This institution of the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ which is nourishment for our spiritual journey and following of Jesus.
Following the Last Supper, Jesus leaves the upper room and goes to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray to His Father. "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will."
The events that follow are commemorated on Good Friday. Jesus' betrayal by Judas, his scourging, crowning of thorns, carrying the heavy cross to Calvary, his crucifixion and death on the cross are proof of his great love of each of us.
On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead. Easter is the great celebration of Jesus' victory over sin and death.
Holy Week is a marvelous opportunity for Christian growth. It offers incredible potential for satisfying spiritual hunger. It does this by exposing those who attend the services to enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ's great love for each of us.
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