SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH APRIL 9, 2017 OUR MISSION STATEMENT ST. FRANCIS XAVIER IS A CATHOLIC- JESUIT PARISH IGNITED BY THE EUCHARIST TO PRAY, SERVE, DO JUSTICE, AND LOVE.
Oh happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam, which gained for us so great a Redeemer. Exultet, sung at the Easter Vigil Beginning in Jerusalem sometime between 349 and 386 AD, the celebration of Holy Week has become the touchstone for the liturgical life of the entire Church - especially since its revival in 1955, under Pius XII, and its reform after Vatican II. In this coming week, as we celebrate Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, followed by his betrayal, death, and resurrection, we place ourselves in the founding mystery of the Church - the Passover celebration of our faith tradition. With this in mind, I thought it might help us enter more fully as a community into this season to understand better some of its elements. Palm/Passion Sunday: Recalling the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem for the final time, a story recalled in all the gospels, Passion Sunday highlights Jesus role as Messiah. Coming into the city on a mule, as was predicted of the Messiah by the Prophets, Jesus rides over branches and cloaks that are laid out as they would be for a king, so that the king would not be dirtied. The song the people sing, Hosanna refers, directly to the Messiah. It is this which leads the Jewish leaders to see in Jesus such a threat. In waving palms, at the beginning of mass, we identify ourselves, not with the leaders, but with the people, who saw Jesus as the Anointed One (i.e., Christ or Messiah), and we welcome him into Jerusalem - the home of the King of Israel since the days of David. Holy Thursday: In the Catholic tradition, Holy Thursday begins with a Chrism Mass, celebrated by the local bishop. Although, for practical purposes, this mass is often celebrated earlier in Lent (this year on April 3rd), it is meant to recall the unity of the Church around the bishop, and the healing grace which comes from that. All the holy oils - the oil of the catechumenate, the oil of the infirm, and the Sacred Chrism - are blessed at this mass by the bishop, as a sign of this unity. Likewise, priests and deacons from all over the diocese are encouraged to attend, as representatives of the bishop to particular communities. The oils are taken from this mass and brought to each church community during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord s Supper, where they are stored in a place of honor. The primary mass of Holy Thursday, however, is the Mass of the Lord s Supper - indeed, no other mass is allowed on that day in any parish. The mass signals the beginning of the Triduum (three days) where we will recall the central story of our faith: the death and rising of Jesus. The Mass of the Lord s Supper, though it recalls the institution of the Eucharist, begins not with the Eucharist, but with the washing of feet, and the gospel of John, which tells of this rite. In taking the role of foot-washer, Jesus does the work of the least important servant, and thus binds himself, absolutely, to the poor. This is how he chooses to begin the Passover meal, in which all Jews recall their liberation from Egypt and from slavery. It is at Passover that Jesus institutes the Eucharist, and the symbolic connection between his death and this feast fill our liturgy: Passover was a celebration of freedom and the holiest meal of the Jewish year, when Jews would gather with their whole family to break the un-leaven bread, and drink several ritual glasses of wine, offered in thanksgiving to God who had rescued them from slavery; the main food was a sacrificed lamb --- the lamb of God --- shared among them. In instituting the Eucharist, Jesus uses the ritual bread and one of the ritual cups of wine, saying This is my body and This is the covenant of my blood, thus suggesting that he gives his life to the people before anyone can take it from him, and also suggesting that this sacrifice is a new covenant to replace the covenant Moses begun in Passover. After mass, the consecrated host - the same bread given to the disciples - is carried in procession to an altar of repose, a sign of Jesus departure to the garden and then to his arrest. We sing in this procession to celebrate this birthday of the Mass and the grace that Christ leaves us, permanently, in the real presence of the Eucharist. Meanwhile, the altar is stripped, as we face the trial and death of Jesus. 2
Good Friday: The one day on which Mass is never said, this is the day to recall the death of Jesus, and his acceptance of even this degree of humanity. The liturgy of Good Friday --- good because of its blessing to us --- is one of sorrow and humility, where we pray with Jesus and watch as he empties himself completely into the hands of God, while never ceasing to love, even to the last. In John s gospel, this is Jesus Hour of Glory, since he is raised up in love and fully unites our human loss with God s gracious receiving. For this reason, we venerate the cross, honoring this Tree where love is triumphant. Holy Saturday: This day recalls Jesus in the tomb, and is meant to be a day of quiet and prayer. According to tradition, Jesus, who had descended fully into death, goes to the dead and liberates them. One the great icons is Jesus meeting Adam, and lifting him up in the redemption - the reunion with God - that Christ effects. Pastor Discussion As part of out Lenten Project, the Social Justice Commission will be hosting an informal evening discussion on Monday, April 10th in Reidy Hall at 7 pm. Father Hightower, SJ, who has recently returned from Iraq where he worked with the Jesuit Refugee Service will be our guest speaker. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome to come and learn more about the people served by JRS. HOLY WEEK SERVICES Holy Thursday April 13th 7:00 pm Mass (No 8:00 am Mass) Prayer 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Good Friday April 14th: Private prayer & Reconciliation Noon---3:00 pm Stations of the Cross at 3:00 pm Good Friday Service at 7:00 pm EASTER VIGIL April 15th at 9:00 pm EASTER SUNDAY April 16th 8:00 am, 10:00 am, & Noon Mass 3
Morgan Chandler & Kyle Handy Mackenzie Heaton & Carson Neagle A Couple s Blessing of One Another Beloved, this I pray for you: May the Lord bless your head, that you might know my love. May the Lord bless your eyes, that you might see my love. May the Lord bless your mouth, that you might speak your heart to me. May the Lord bless your hands, that you might feel me ever near. May the Lord bless your arms, that in them I might rest. May the Lord bless your heart, that in pain and joy, you might find me there your beloved and your spouse. May the Lord bless you with me, my love, and me with you forever. Amen Kayla Dewit & Keegan McCarthy Kelsey Miller & Jake Pelczar Marie Corcoran & Derek Kloberdanz Anna Scotto & John Nilles Kirsten Green & Nathan Mink 4
SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER ~~ MISSOULA, MONTANA 420 West Pine Street, Missoula MT, 59802 542-0321, sfxmissoula.org APRIL 9, 2017 PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD Prayers May --- Shawn Hanser, Katie Moriarity, John Bass, Margaret Ellis, and Eoin Carver receive His healing and consolation. May --- Grace Collins rest in peace in Our Lord s Loving arms. Collections for Sunday, March 26, 2017 Will appear in our next bulletin. Thank you for your generous giving! OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Thursday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Friday 8:30 am - Noon e-mail: stfrancisxavier@sfxmissoula.org. Phone: 406-542-0321 Fax: 406-327-8537 Weekend Liturgies Saturday ~~~ 5 p.m. Sunday ~~ 8 am, 10 am, and 6 p.m. Weekday Liturgies Monday - Friday ~~ 8 am Confession -Saturday ~~ 3:30-4:30 p.m. or by appointment Eucharistic Adoration Wednesday ~ 8:30 am - 3:00 pm & First Friday ~ 8:30 am - Noon With thanks for your pledge & your support of St. Francis Xavier Parish Dear Friends of St. Francis Xavier! Recognizing the many good & worthy causes that seek your help, I am grateful for your choice to support St. Francis Xavier Parish. Each year, St. Francis Xavier Parish labors to be a place of gracious prayer & beautiful worship, where the message of Christ is proclaimed to both young & old. We strive to provide healing for the brokenhearted & hope for those on the edge of despair. We live as Church: one community, giving glory to God through the care of God s people. Your gift is an essential part of this mission. This Easter, may the blessing of Christ, who gave himself to us, be with you and those you love. Thank you, Fr. Joseph Carver, S.J. on Facebook at St. Francis Xavier Church, on Twitter @SFXmissoula and on Instagram at sfxmissoula. Follow all the events, news, and photos of life here at St. Francis Xavier. Remember to add our parish App to your phone and stay connected! Divine Mercy Sunday Adoration Noon - 3:00 pm Chaplet at 3:00 pm The next Mass in Spanish April 22, 2017 at 7:00 pm in St. Anthony parish Mary Martha Knitting will be meeting on Monday, April 10th at 11:00 am in the Parish center. St. Francis Xavier Parish will often use parishioner likeness in print, video, website or in social media sites for the purpose of sharing our church community with others. 5
April 9, 2017 Easter Egg Hunt Our annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 15th at 11:00 am on the church lawn (weather permitting). Parents and anyone wishing to contribute please bring candy or trinkets to fill our plastic eggs and place in the basket by the West entrance of the church or bring to the Parish office. Thank you! Moms Group We are pleased to announce that our first gathering will be on April 11th at 10:00 am in the Loyola building. Ignite: Missoula Young Adult Group: Join Ignite for prayer and fellowship. email - ignitemisssoula@gmail.com or Facebook - Ignite Missoula - Catholic Young Adult Group For information on Jesuit vocations BeAJesuit.org Religious Education Dates April 9th, 23rd and 30th-Sunday School. April 30th- Last day of Sunday School. 2nd, 9th and 23rd-CLOW 25th-Sac. Prep. No class on the 11th. Confirmation class-april 9th Confirmation dinner & Rite of Sending- April 23rd. Mass Intentions for the Month of April 2017 Saturday 4/8 Sheila Combo Sunday 4/9 Mercedes Cookie Velasco For the People* Bailey Strader* Monday 4/10 Chris Susen* Tuesday 4/11 The Holy Souls Closest to Heaven Wednesday 4/12 Linda Novelli* Thursday 4/13 Holy Thursday Friday 4/14 Good Friday Saturday 4/15 For the People* EASTER VIGIL Sunday 4/16 Trisha Hagen EASTER Joseph Giuliani Jerry Lubbers Monday 4/17 Tuesday 4/18 Wednesday 4/19 Thursday 4/20 Friday 4/21 Saturday 4/22 Sunday 4/23 The Holy Souls Closest to Heaven Jim O Lear & Sr. Mary Celeste Mary & Bob Colvin* Germaine Angle Marge Lubbers* Marjorie Liberato For the People* Jim Giuliani JoAnne LaPalm* Mass Stipend Suggested Mass stipend is $20 tax deductible... only the intangible value of prayer... 6 Mass Scriptures for the Month of April, 2017 Monday 4/10 Isa. 42:1-7 Monday of Holy Week Ps. 27 John 12:1-11 Tuesday 4/11 Isa. 49:1-6 Tuesday of Holy Week Ps. 71 John 13:21-33, 36-38 Wednesday 4/12 Isa. 50:4-9a Wednesday of Holy Week Ps. 69 Matt. 26:14-25 Thursday 4/13 Exod. 12:1-8, 11-14 Holy Thursday Ps. 116 of the Lord s Supper 1 Cor. 11:23-26 John 13:1-15 Friday 4/14 Isa. 52:13---53:12 Friday of the Ps. 31 Passion of the Lord Heb. 4:14-16, 5:7-9 John 18:1 --- 19:42 Saturday 4/15 Gen. 1:1---2:2 / Ps. 104 THE EASTER VIGIL Gen. 22:1-18 / Ps. 16 IN THE HOLY NIGHT Exod. 14:15---15:1 / Exod. 15 Isa. 54:5-14 / Ps. 30 Isa. 55:1-11 / Isa. 12 Bar. 3:9-15, 32-4:4 / Ps. 19 Ezek. 36:16-17a, 18-28 / Ps. 42 Rom. 6:3-11 /Ps. 118 Matt. 28:1-10 Sunday 4/16 Acts 10:3a, 37-43 EASTER SUNDAY Ps. 118 OF THE RESURRECTION Col. 3:1-4 OF THE LORD John 20:1-9
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