Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! Exult, all creation around God's throne! Jesus Christ, our King, is risen! Sound the trumpet of salvation!
What is the holiest night of the year? Many would presume that the answer would be Christmas Eve, the night in which the Christian world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. However, the answer is Holy Saturday or the night before Easter Sunday. It is this night that Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ from the dead. Not only is this night the basis for our faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God as he rises from the dead, but it is also the basis for our hope in the bodily resurrection. What I find beautiful about Christmas and Easter is that both celebrations sanctify that which many cultures cast as a negative: The night.
My suffering and sacrificial Lord, You have sanctified this day and endowed it with grace. As I commemorate Your saving sacrifice, draw me into this mystical act of love. Help me to remain prayerful and recollected throughout this day and into tomorrow. Invite me to stand before Your Cross and to gaze upon Your beaten and torn body. As I do, pour forth the abundance of Your mercy flowing from Your wounded side. Jesus, I trust in You.
“With this Mass, celebrated in the evening of the Thursday in Holy Week, the Church begins the sacred Easter Triduum and devotes herself to the remembrance of the Last Supper.” The traditional washing of the feet that takes place on Holy Thursday will renew this year with the participation of 12 faithful. This bilingual (English/Spanish) Mass will be Thursday, March 28th at 7:00pm.
Holy Week is an important time for Christians throughout the world. Holy Week, the final week of Lent, begins on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter. Holy Week is a time when Catholics gather to remember and participate in the Passion of Jesus Christ. The Passion was the final period of Christ’s life in Jerusalem. It spans from when He arrived in Jerusalem to when He was crucified.
Some parishioners will be preparing beautiful ornate hand woven palms. They will be selling them to the public for a fundraiser. On Sunday March 24 next to the chapel. All collected will be support our parish fiesta 2024.
Lent is a wonderful time to celebrate the reconciling love and the healing graces our Lord offers us. Like all religious experiences, it takes preparation. Before celebrating the Sacrament of Penance, one should prepare themselves with an examination of conscience. An examination of conscience is a "prayerful self-reflection on our words and deeds in the light of the Gospel to determine how we may have sinned against God" (— Glossary, The Catechism of the Catholic Church.)
Our annual Together in Mission Campaign began three weeks ago. As you know, this campaign assists the poorest parishes and schools of the Archdiocese. Our OLHR parish goal this year is $42,680 and Zapopan Mission $6,908. This reflects our income in 2023. It is a great opportunity to help out these poor parishes even more. The important thing is that everyone participates according to their means. If you have more then give more, if you have less, then give less. But everybody’s part is important. The pledge envelopes are available in the pews and in the parish office. You may also make your contribution online by going to: togetherinmission.org. Please be sure to click on "Our Lady of the Holy Rosary - Sun Valley" as your parish so that it is credited to our goal. To all those who have already donated or made their pledge for 2024: thank you!
The Stations of the Cross, which follow the path of Christ from Pontius Pilate's praetorium to Christ's tomb are a popular devotion in parishes during Lent. In the 16th century, this pathway was officially entitled the "Via Dolorosa" (Sorrowful Way) or simply Way of the Cross or Stations of the Cross.
The annual Campaign of Together in Mission which assists the poorest parishes in the Archdiocese kicks off this week. Most of you have already received the letter from the Archbishop (or will receive it soon) about the campaign and we will be hearing about it next Sunday. If you have already made your commitment: thank you!