THE WISE STILL SEEK HIM. March 24, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

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1 CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY March 24, 2013 Palm of the Passion of the Lord Church Address 8235 S.W. 57 Avenue, Miami, Florida Ministry of Religious Education & Pastoral Services Mrs. Isabel Prellezo, Directress Telephone: Office of Development & Parish Affairs Mr. Edmund F. Onorati, Director Telephone: Ministry of Music Mr. Thomas Schuster, Organist Mr. Angelo Marchese, Cantor Mr. Georgi Danchev, Choirmaster Telephone: School Sister Margaret Fagan, IHM, Principal Ms. Ana Oliva, Vice Principal 5557 S.W. 84 Street, Miami, Florida Telephone: Fax: Convent Sister Carmen Teresa, IHM, Superior Telephone: Rectory/Mailing Address 8081 S.W. 54 Court, Miami, Florida Telephone: Fax: Masses Monday-Friday 6:30 & 8:00 a.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. Saturday Vigil 5:30 p.m. 8:00, 9:30, & 11:00 a.m. 12:30* & 6:00 p.m. (* Spanish) Rosary Daily 7:40 a.m. Novena Mondays 8:30 a.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Monday-Friday 7:00-8:00 a.m. & 8:30-9:30 a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. Sacrament of Baptism Call the Parish Office two months in advance. Sacrament of Matrimony Call the Parish Office ten months in advance. Monsignor Jude O Doherty, Pastor Father Luis Largaespada, Associate Pastor Deacon Don Livingstone Deacon Norman Ruíz-Castañeda Deacon José Luis Carrión, Jr. Deacon Thomas V. Eagan Deacon Marcos Pérez THE WISE STILL SEEK HIM

2 Pastor s Pen Our Gospel reading is a lengthy passage telling of the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Usually when we read this story, we put it in a tight religious structure so that we virtually destroy its human elements. It's almost as if it were a divinely directed stage play, not real people involved in real events, but a group of actors following a script written somewhere in eternity. For sure, there was divine providence at work in the death of Christ; however, we have no right to divorce His death from the realm of reality. The truth is that a real man was nailed to a real cross and died a real death and all of this was brought about by real people doing real things. Judas betrayed Him; the Sanhedrin arrested Him;Peter denied Him; and Pilate condemned Him. God, of course, knew that all of those events would occur, but I don't believe that He predetermined any of them. The people who participated in the crucifixion were not helpless victims of a divine plan. They were real people like us. Each acted on his own volition for his own reasons, and the motives that controlled their deeds were not too different from the motives that are still working in our lives today. Look at Judas. His contribution to the crucifixion was personal ambition. In many ways he is the mystery man in the apostles' band. There is no way to know why Jesus invited him to join the group or why he accepted the invitation. What was his reason to betray Jesus to His enemies? I have never been able to believe he did it just for the money. The Gospels make it clear that Judas was quite fond of money, but I think his aspirations far exceeded thirty pieces of silver. Whatever your ambition in life may be, however good and desirable it might seem, we never have the right to use and manipulate the other people in order to achieve our goals. But Judas did, making his name synonymous with treachery. But I wonder if he is really all that different from us. Can it be said that we never resort to the manipulation of other people in order to accomplish what we desire? The crime of which Judas was guilty is still very much alive in our day. It happens on the job, at school, at home, even at church. It is said that things were made to be used, and people were made to be loved. But all too often we get the whole thing turned around and end up loving things and using people. And make no mistake, that's the very kind of criminal confusion that contributed to the crucifixion of Christ. Simon Peter's contribution was cowardice. You know the story: early Thursday evening, Peter had sworn his undying devotion to Jesus, but before dawn the next day, he had three times broken that pledge. But is Peter's story that much different from our own? We are here this morning in the name of Christ. This is the place and time where following Jesus is the easy and popular thing to do. Yet how will it be tomorrow when the responsibilities of life lead us back to a world where Christian discipleship is not the convenient thing? Who will stand with Him when it is no longer popular and can even be risky? We had better answer that question honestly before we become too critical of Peter. For when following Jesus becomes a matter of personal risk, then, Peter is just one of many who had rather switch than fight. That kind of wishy-washy discipleship was very much a factor in Christ's death. Look at Pilate, the Roman governor. His part was expedience. He was the only man who could sentence Jesus to death, but he didn't want to do it. The Jews were pressing for it, and Pilate kept trying to avoid it. He did almost anything, except the one thing that would have made a difference. The only way Pilate could have stopped the crime of the cross was to take an unwavering stand for what he knew was right, but the pressure was too great. The crowds were screaming; the authorities were pushing; and Pilate resorted to his standard procedure... expedience. It is a sad thing to see a man who is so impoverished of character that everything he has is for sale. That's what had happened to Pilate. He had no central core of integrity that could not be compromised. Let us live by conviction. Expedience is that soft and flabby sin that sentenced Jesus to die. In point of time, the cross of Christ is two thousand years away from our lives, but I think we can see that in point of fact, it isn't that far removed. When we examine the human factors, we have to confess that we played a part, and we ought to pray, "Father, forgive us, for we were there when they crucified our Lord."

3 The after Easter is Divine Mercy! Divine Mercy During the course of Jesus revelations to Saint Faustina, He asked on numerous occasions that a feast day be dedicated to the Divine Mercy and celebrated on the after Easter. Pope John Paul II gave this to the Universal Church on the occasion of the canonization of Sr. Faustina on April 30, 2000: Throughout the world the Second of Easter will receive the name Divine Mercy, a perennial invitation to the Christian world to face, with confidence in divine benevolence, the difficulties and trials that mankind will experience in the years to come. Jesus told St. Faustina that this Feast of Mercy would be a very special day when all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. (Diary 699) Our Lord made a great promise to all those souls who would go to Confession and then receive Him in Holy Communion on the Feast of His Mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain the complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. (Diary 699) I want to grant a complete pardon to the souls that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the Feast of My Mercy. (Diary 1109) We want to encourage everyone to take advantage of this incredible promise on the great Feast of Mercy Divine Mercy. The Image of The Divine Mercy will be on display in our church. Pope John Paul II said that the image portrays the Risen Jesus Christ bringing Mercy to the whole world. It is a visual reminder of all that Jesus did for us through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection... and a reminder, too, of what He asks of us in return - to trust Him and be merciful to others. Jesus said tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon the souls who approach the Fount of My Mercy. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet... Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy. (Diary 699) Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would start on Good Friday. At 2:45p.m. on Good Friday, we will begin this Novena, and we encourage everyone to continue praying the chaplet of Divine Mercy for the next nine days. Booklets will be available in the church for this purpose. Anyone who says it [the chaplet] will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as the last hope. Even the most hardened sinner, if he recites this Chaplet even once, will receive grace from My Infinite Mercy. I want the whole world to know My Infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in My Mercy... (Diary 687)

4 Mass Intentions Date Time Intention Requested By Readings Saturday 5:30 p.m + Marye Newsome George & Maria Shahin Mar Adele Kawalerski Kawalerski Family 8:00 a.m. + Msgr. John O Dowd Mar. 24 9:30 a.m. + Fr. Max Sodja 11:00 a.m. People of Epiphany 12:30 p.m. + Archbishop Coleman Carroll + Archbishop Edward McCarthy 6:00 p.m. + Fr. Vincent Cashman Monday 6:30 a.m. Maria Elizabette Pistorino Pistorino Family Mar Charles John Pistorino Pistorino Family 8:00 a.m. + Vicente German Gallinal Gallinal Family In Thanksgiving Salas Family Tuesday 6:30 a.m. Eileen Marie Fernandez-Silva Fernandez-Silva Family Mar Lucia Cartana Isach Gaston Family 8:00 a.m. + Josefina Onetti Lopez-Ona Lowell Family + Alberto, Isabel & Carlos Calderin Family Wednesday 6:30 a.m. + Walter & Dorothy Kelley Mar. 27 Elizabeth Michelle Parrish Pistorino Family 8:00 a.m. + Claudio Sciotto Fernandez Family + Carlos Torres de Navarra Anita Torres de Navarra + Daniella Tavarez Parents Thursday 6:30 a.m. No Mass Mar. 28 8:00 a.m. No Mass 7:30 p.m. All Priests of the Archdiocese Friday 6:30 a.m. No Mass Mar. 29 8:00 a.m. No Mass 2:00 p.m. STATIONS OF THE CROSS 3:00 p.m. LENTEN SERVICE WITH COMMUNION 7:30 p.m. TENEBRAE SERVICE Is 50: 4-7 Ps 22:8-9,17-18a, 19-20,23-24 Phil 2:6-11 Lk 22:14-23:56 Is 42:1-7 Ps 27:1-3,13-14 Jn 12:1-11 Is 49:1-6 Ps 71:1-4a, 5-6ab,15,17 Jn 13:21-33, Is 50:4-9a Ps 69:8-10,21bcd -22,31,33-34 Mt 26:14-25 Is 61:1-3a,6a,8b-9 Ps 89:21-22,25,27 Rv 1:5-8 Lk 4:16-21 Is 52:13-53:12 Ps 31:2,6, 12-13,15-17,25 Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9 Jn 18:1-19:42 Saturday 8:00 a.m. No Mass Mar. 30 7:30 p.m. EASTER VIGIL 8:00 a.m. People of Epiphany Mar. 31 9:30 a.m. People of Epiphany 11:00 a.m. People of Epiphany 12:30 p.m. People of Epiphany 6:00 p.m. People of Epiphany Acts 10:34a,37-43 Ps 118:1-2, 16ab-17,22-23 Col 3:1-4 Jn 20:1-9

5 March 30 / 31 Saturday 7:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. Mass Schedules Celebrants Lectors Altar Servers CONCELEBRATED Fr. Luis Largaespada Pat Parker Manuel Lasaga Eddy de Arcos Bob Dickinson John Steinbauer W. Walker E. Wilson S. Abarca A. Aguirre F. Blanco D. Bravo C. Christiansen N. Vazquez N. Milton G. Morrison Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion COORDINATOR:DEACON HOST:Haydee Martinez Louise Villalba Chuck Broyard Ron Quintero Roland Martinez Ben Villalba Ely Fleites COORDINATOR:Chuck Broyard HOST:Rosi Maza-Saez Chuck Broyard Enrique Bludau 9:30 a.m. Msgr. Jude O'Doherty Henry Pujol Monica Johnson J. Bacallao J. Cacioppo D. Clavijo C. Diaz-Silveira COORDINATOR:DEACON HOST:Mirza Collazo Eileen Fernandez-Silva Raphael Bastian James Boink Al Collazo Jorge Fernandez-Silva 11:00 a.m. Msgr. Jude O'Doherty John O'Sullivan Jennifer Quezada R.J. Weber D. Abreu N. Cerra M. Cooper P. Cooper I. De la Pedraja Y.D. DeSegonzac T. Falcon COORDINATOR:Haydee Martinez HOST:Haydee Martinez Cesar Armstrong Gloria Barbier Ana Maria Avila Leon Avila Janet Armstrong Amanda Rodriguez Roland Martinez Mari Pinero Maria Cristina Sousa 12:30 p.m. Fr. Luis Largaespada Gisela Cacciamani Bernd Von Reitzenstein J.A. Luna F. Santaella COORDINATOR:Carmen Von Reitzenstein HOST:Carmen Von Reitzenstein Hermida Licea Marta Rosales Tere Molins Delfin Molins Adolfo Rosales Alcides Licea 6:00 p.m. Fr. Luis Largaespada Jorge Perez C. Llano K. Martinez S. Medina G. Mencio J. Mendiola K. Morfin E. Packert J. Pantin COORDINATOR:Mari Campo HOST:Mari Campo Javier Ruiz

6 Bulletin Board Stewardship Corner AN INVITATION TO ETERNAL LIFE Toward the end of Jesus ministry on earth, great crowds greeted Him everywhere. The Jewish people heard His voice, witnessed His miracles and were ready to accept His invitation to eternal life. So, it wasn t surprising that a few days before the Feast of Passover, great crowds came out to meet Jesus as He entered Jerusalem, and they took palm branches and spread them out over the road shouting Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Today is Palm. All of us received a palm branch today symbolizing our belief that Jesus is the Son of God. As we processed into church, we welcomed Jesus into our city knowing that in a few days, we would witness the most tragic and joyous events of our Christian lives. This coming week is Holy Week. It is an invitation for all of us to walk with Jesus as He instituted the Holy Eucharist and ordained His first priests on Holy Thursday. On Good Friday, we will share in His passion and death. Finally at the Easter Vigil, we will rejoice and witness His resurrection from the dead. Let us put aside all our activities, problems and concerns. Let s plan to spend this week with Christ. Christ died so that we may live and have life eternal. That invitation is open to everyone who does His will. A stewards, let s not only accept that invitation, but also let us cling to Christ s saving work and share in the fruits of faith, reception of the sacraments, prayer and works of love. Ask our Lord to bless your families as you walk with Jesus to His death and his glorious Resurrection. That is the meaning of Easter... An Invitation to Eternal Life. Contemplative Cenacle of the Divine Mercy Monday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the church We meet as a community in adoration and recollection to contemplate and venerate the image of the Divine Mercy. With songs of praise, prayers, the reading of the Gospel of the day, reciting the Chaplet and meditating on the Diary of the Divine Mercy in our souls under the spirituality of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, we allow ourselves to deepen our faith drawing closer with trust to the Fount of Mercy of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Join us! The Cross Room The young man was at the end of his rope. Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer. "Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear." The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then open that other door and pick out any cross you wish." The man was filled with relief. "Thank you, Lord," he sighed, and he did as he was told. Upon entering the other door he saw many crosses, some so large the tops were not visible. Then he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall. "I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered. And the Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in." What a touching reminder of a lesson we all need to learn and relearn! When life's problems seem overwhelming, look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself fortunate.

7 Bulletin Board Special Collection Today Once each year every Catholic Church in the United States takes up a Special Collection for the support of Christians and the Holy Shrines in the Holy Land. Traditionally, it is known as the Good Friday Collection and we at Epiphany have always taken up this collection on Good Friday. This year we will take up this collection on Palm instead of Good Friday. It is still for the same purposes as always and very worthwhile supporting. Many Christians depend on this collection for their lives. Why change the collection to Palm? Simply because it is difficult to find the right moment for it in the Good Friday services. Good Friday is such a solemn day that it seems appropriate to move this good deed to a different day. So, we will have a Special Collection TODAY and everyone is invited to support the Holy Shrines and the Christians in the Holy Land. Epiphany s Diamond Jubilee Gala What a festive and joyous evening parishioners and friends spent last Saturday celebrating the 60 th Anniversary of Epiphany School. The Gala was magical. It was set up under a beautiful tent with chandeliers brilliantly lighting the decorated tables and chairs. Over six hundred guests were treated to an evening of friendship, fun, delicious food, and above all, celebrated the 60 th anniversary of Epiphany School. Everyone had a ball and danced the evening away. Our guests also enjoyed the Silent Auction, and one lucky person won the Cruise Raffle valued at up to $30,000 to sail on Oceania Cruises. Have a great cruise! A great deal of credit must go to the committee members and especially to Patricia Paredes, the Chairperson, for all their hard work and dedication. You all did a marvelous job and Epiphany School benefitted from all the proceeds from the Gala. Congratulations! Guidelines for Abstaining & Fasting Abstinence from meat is observed on Good Friday, by Catholics 14 years and older. Fasting is observed on Good Friday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those bound by this rule may take only one full meal a day. Two smaller meals are permitted as necessary to maintain strength according to one's needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. Join the Archbishop Coleman Carroll Legacy Society today! Just make us aware of your intention to include your parish, Catholic school, or ministry as a beneficiary in your estate plans. For more information, contact the Rectory at or call the Office of Planned Giving at PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL: Shelley Aguirre; Maximus, Marcelo & Markus Arango; Sr. Blanca Eugenia Arnaiz, R.A.; Zoraida Barreto; Camille Eisenhart; Ana Alicia Fernandez; Guillermo Gonzalez; Humberto Gonzalez, Jr.; Angeles Graham; Warren Jennings; Stephany Kury; Angel David Martinez; Rosi Maza-Saez; Gloria Larrieu Mencia; Andres Moas; Caridad Mora; John Michael Portuondo; Lola Salas; Stuart A. Stanton; Valeria Sofia Terrero; Teodula Wong. PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED: Carl Lowell, Sr.; Rolando Ruiz.

8 PASSION, DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF CHRIST Holy Thursday, March 28 Concelebrated Mass of the Lord's Supper...7:30 p.m. Good Friday, March 29 (Good Friday is a day of fast and abstinence.) Stations of the Cross...2:00 p.m. Liturgical Service with Communion...3:00 p.m. Tenebrae Service...7:30 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 30 Easter Vigil...7:30 p.m. Easter, March 31 Masses...8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 a.m., 12:30* and 6:00 p.m. (*Spanish) CHRIST HAS DIED... CHRIST IS RISEN... CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN.