March 20th 2005 – Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday
Remembering Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, we often contrast the excitement of Palm Sunday with the horrors of Good Friday. This is a good theme for our Lenten reflection: how fickle we can be in regard to God and God’s business. On one day we praise the Son of David; a few days later we crucify him. All humanity does today what a few people did on that momentous occasion.

However, there is another reason now for further reflection and even lament. In spite of a Christian presence in Jerusalem for about two thousand years, it seems that Christians are leaving the city and its surroundings in such great numbers now, that very soon there will be only buildings there instead of believers to remind us of the story of Jesus. Jerusalem without Christians may sound impossible. Post-Christian North Africa should give us food for thought.

“Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem manifests the coming of the kingdom that the Messiah-King, welcomed into his city by children and the humble of heart, is going to accomplish by the Passover of his Death and Resurrection”.

Holy Week 2005
Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday  21/22/23 March
  Masses    7.30 & 10.00 am
  Confessions    each day after  Mass
  Passion Play      Pupils of Douglas Community School  —  8 pm

+          The Sacred Triduum          +
Thursday 24th March    HOLY THURSDAY
  Chrism Mass 10 am    Bishop Buckley concelebrates Mass in the
Cathedral with the priests of the Diocese and blesses  the Holy Oils to be used in the parishes.
All are welcome to attend. 

6.00 pm Concelebrated Mass of the Lord’s Supper.        Confessions after Mass.
  Trócaire Family Fast Boxes presented at the Offertory Procession
  Quiet Holy Hour    8.00 pm  —  9.00 pm

Friday 25th March    GOOD FRIDAY
      Day of Fast and Abstinence
  Solemn Celebration of the Passion of Our Lord    3.00 pm
      Veneration of the Cross / Holy Communion
Collection for the Holy Places in the Holy Land
  Stations of the Cross    12 noon  &  6.00 pm
  Confessions    after the Stations and 3 pm Ceremonies.

Saturday 26th March   
HOLY SATURDAY
  Please Note    No morning Mass today
  Confessions    12 noon — 1.00 pm
  Solemn Easter Vigil and Mass of the Resurrection    6.00 pm

Easter Sunday Masses
      9 am,  10.30 am  &  12 noon
Easter Triduum of Masses 
Easter Sunday 12noon Mon. Tue.  10am
      Cards available in the Parish Office

Easter Offerings
The Collection at all Masses next weekend is for the Priests of the Parish.  NoSecond Collection.

Daffodils
We hope to decorate the altar with daffodils for Holy Thursday and Easter. If you have daffodils please hand in by Wednesday next

Trócaire Boxes
Please return your Family Trócaire Box at the Mass of the Last Supper on Thursday or during the week.

Death
We remember in our prayers Sr. Catherine Condon, Presentation Convent, Turners Cross and John Roche, Mercier Park who died recently and extend our sympathy to their Families and Community.

Easter Raffle In aid of Restoration Fund
Two prizes – Monster Easter Eggs.
Lines on sale in Porch after Mass.

Easter Triduum
A Triduum of Masses begins on Easter Sunday. Triduum Cards available in the Parish Office today and during the week.

Passion Play with Pupils of Douglas Community School: Christ King Church Mon. 21st March 8 pm.
Tickets Adults €5. Children €2.

Legion of Mary Acies in S.M.A. Church, Blackrock this Sun.
20th March at 3 pm. All Active & Auxiliary members welcome.

LOTTO DRAW March 14th
Numbers drawn:  10,  13,  18,  24.
NO WINNER
€35 CASH
T. Cotter,  R. Kehoe,  E. Morgan,  B. Dillon
  THIS WEEK’S JACKPOT :  €1,975 
Last week’s net “take”      €2,560
Last week’s second Collection      €1,380
Anonymous Donation    €35
Old Money still welcome