Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord - 5 April 2020 Year A/2

Divine office Psalter Week 2

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (21:1-11) When they were near Jerusalem and had come in sight of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, „Go to the village facing you, and you will immediately find a tethered donkey and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you are to say, “The Master needs them and will send them back directly”.‟ This took place to fulfil the prophecy:

Say to the daughter of Zion: Look, your king comes to you; he is humble, he rides on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.

So the disciples went out and did as Jesus had told them. They brought the donkey and the colt, then they laid their cloaks on their backs and he sat on them. Great crowds of people spread their cloaks on the road, while others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in his path. The crowds who went in front of him and those who followed were all shouting:

„Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heavens!‟

And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil. „Who is this?‟ people asked, and the crowds answered, „This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.‟ The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

Entrance Antiphon (Cf. Jn 12: 1, 12-13; Ps 23: 9-10) Six days before the Passover, when the Lord came into the city of Jerusalem, the children ran to meet him; in their hands they carried palm branches and with a loud voice cried out: Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are you, who have come in your abundant mercy! O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory! Who is this king of glory? He, the Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are you, who have come in your abundant mercy!

Parish Priest: Rev. Mani Malana msfs E: pastor@holyfamilymenai.org.au

Assistant Priest: Rev. Daniele Russo E: daniele.russo@sydneycatholic.org

Parish Secretary: Andrea Hunt Phone: 02 9543 2677 Email: menaihfp@bigpond.net.au

Sacramental Coordinator: Kathy Parsons Phone: 02 9532 0546 Email: sacraments@holyfamilymenai.org.au

Holy Family Primary Principal: Karen Richards Ph 9543 2614

Aquinas College Principal: James Clancy Ph 9543 0188

Holy Family Parish Menai 1D Anzac Rd Menai NSW 2234

Phone: 02 95432677

Fax:02 95435803

Email: menaihfp@bigpond.net.au

Web: HolyFamilyMenai.org.au

Parish Office hours:

Tuesday—Thursday: 9am—3.30pm

Friday: 9am - 3pm

Reconciliation: Sat: 4.30—5.30pm Or by appointment. Outside the Church in accordance with the Government guidelines with social distancing.

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC PARISH MENAI

LIVING AND SHARING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AS A GROWING PARISH FAMILY

Alfords Point Bangor Barden Ridge Illawong Lucas Heights Menai Woronora West

A reading from the prophet Isaiah (50:4-7) The Lord has given me a disciple‟s tongue. So that I may know how to reply to the wearied he provides me with speech. Each morning he wakes me to hear, to listen like a disciple. The Lord has opened my ear. For my part, I made no resistance, neither did I turn away. I offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard; I did not cover my face against insult and spittle. The Lord comes to my help, so that I am untouched by the insults. So, too, I set my face like flint; I know I shall not be shamed. The word of the Lord Thanks be to God Responsorial Psalm (21:8-9. 17-20. 23-24. R. v.2) (R.) My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? All who see me deride me. They curl their lips, they toss their heads. „He trusted in the Lord, let him save him; let him release him if this is his friend.‟ (R.)

Many dogs have surrounded me, a band of the wicked beset me. They tear holes in my hands and my feet. I can count every one of my bones. (R.)

They divide my clothing among them. They cast lots for my robe. O Lord, do not leave me alone, my strength, make haste to help me! (R.)

I will tell of your name to my brethren and praise you where they are assembled. „You who fear the Lord give him praise; all sons of Jacob, give him glory. Revere him, Israel‟s sons.‟ (R.) A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Philippians (2:6-11) He humbled himself to become like us and God raised him on high. His state was divine, yet Christ Jesus did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave, and became as men are, and being as all men are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all other names so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Gospel Acclamation (Phil 2:8-9) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory! Christ became obedient for us even to death dying on the cross. Therefore God raised him on high and gave him a name above all other names. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!

Gospel The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (26:14 – 27:66)

This Sunday’s homily

‘Hosanna to the son of David’

The Church celebrates today as both Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday. Today we enter Holy Week, welcoming Jesus into our lives, asking him to allow us a share in his suffering, death and resurrection.

Today’s liturgy combines two contrasting moments of glory and suffering - the welcome of Jesus into Jerusalem and the drama of his trial culminating in his crucifixion. The first part of today’s gospel describes the royal reception which Jesus received from his admirers, who paraded with him for a distance of two miles: from the Mount of Olives to the city of Jerusalem. Jesus permitted such a royal procession to reveal to the general public (almost 2.5 million of them) that he was the promised Messiah. In the second part of today’s gospel, we listen to the Passion of Christ according to Matthew. We are challenged to examine our own lives in the light of some of the characters in the story like Peter who denied Jesus, Judas who betrayed Jesus, Pilate who acted against his conscience, Herod who ridiculed Jesus and the leaders of the people who preserved their position by getting rid of Jesus.

Today we have to ask, “Am I ready to become like the humble donkey that carried Jesus? As I "carry Jesus" to the world, I can expect to receive the same welcome that Jesus received on Palm Sunday, but I must also expect to meet the same opposition, crosses and trials later. Like the donkey, I am called upon to carry Christ to a world that does not know Him.

Do I welcome Jesus into my heart? Am I ready to surrender my life to Him during this Holy Week and welcome him into all areas of my life as my Lord and Savior, singing “hosanna”? Today, we are supposed to receive palm branches at the Divine Liturgy and take them to our homes and put them in some place where we can always see them. Let the palms remind us that Christ is the king of our families, that Christ is the king of our hearts, that Christ is the only true answer to our quest for happiness and meaning in our lives.

MM.

Catholic Care Volunteer Program

The Archdiocese of Sydney is working alongside our social welfare agency Catholic Care to

roll out a volunteer program to help the needy access groceries, cooked meals, medicines

and other necessities at this difficult time. We have been asked for 5-10 people from our

parish who are young and healthy enough to carry out these visits to the needy

If you think you might you be able to assist or know someone that is in need, please contact

the parish office on 9543 2677. Thank you so much and God bless.

Next Sunday’s Reading: Easter Sunday Acts 10:34, 37-43; Jn 20:1-9

Communion Antiphon: Father, if this chalice cannot pass without my drinking it,

your will be done.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Response: Lord, hear our prayer

Celebrant: Dear friends, in new and unexpected ways our Lenten journey has become an arduous way of the cross. In company with Jesus, let us pray for the whole human family at this time of global crisis.

Reader: We pray for Christian communities around the world. May their loving care for all in need be a powerful sign of the saving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let us pray to the Lord (R)

Reader: We pray for front-line health workers and all essential services personnel. May their dedication inspire us to new levels of generous service and neighbourly care. Let us pray to the Lord (R)

Reader: We pray for scientists advising governments and researchers seeking a vaccine. May their expertise encourage us to remain confident and calm. Let us pray to the Lord (R)

Reader: We pray for those most vulnerable to the social, economic and medical effects of COVID-19: the frail aged, the chronically ill, the poor, the homeless and all refugees. Let us pray to the Lord. (R)

Reader: We pray for all whose mental health is jeopardised by isolation and confinement. May the support of family and friends help them cope with this challenge. Let us pray to the Lord. (R)

Reader: We pray for the staff and volunteers of all welfare agencies. May they care for one another as they respond to more and more calls for help. Let us pray to the Lord. (R)

Reader: We pray for the Centre of Hope in Papua New Guinea. May our support for Project Compassion help the Centre maintain its vital Safe House program. Let us pray to the Lord. (R)

Reader: We pray for one another. May we find new ways to pray, be connected in faith and celebrate the paschal mystery in this Holy Week like no other. Let us pray to the Lord. (R)

Reader: We pray for the faithful departed, may they be raised to glory in Christ the Lord, especially those who have died from the coronavirus, and recently deceased Eddy Sauzier, and for Megan Pettitt whose anniversary of death occurs around this time. Let us pray to the Lord. (R)

Celebrant: Living and life-giving God, your Son emptied himself to become one of us, even unto death. Deliver us from the fear of death and help us live in the freedom of faith. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

We pray for better health for:

Anthony Alam,

Armand Favis,

Barbara King, Bernie

Mendieta, Brian

Emmerson, Carmelita

Kelly, David

Stephenson, Eleanor

Emmerson, Ethan

Roy, Himits Sarajoy

Ly, Jim Maher, Joan

Sprod, John Miller,

Johnson Tan, Joseph

Fitzpatrick, Kathleen

Jean-Louis, Kevin

Sullivan, Lorraine

Cloney, Marie

Isbester, Mario

Albiero, Mary

Baddock, Mary

Farrugia, Miriam

McAtee, Natalie

Lynch, Paul Hill, Paul

Tyson, Pauline

Taylor, Paolo Lepre,

Peter Atkinson,

Ronnie Attard,

Russell Fairbairn,

Sharone Marsh,

Shona Maher, Steve

Clare, Stephen Doyle,

Trevor McGrath and

all who are sick.

Channel 7 to broadcast Easter Services

from St Mary’s Cathedral

We are very pleased to announce that Channel 7 will

broadcast the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday (10

April) at 3pm and the Easter Sunday Mass (12 April)

at 10:30am live from St Mary’s Cathedral. At a time

when Catholic churches across Australia are closed

during the COVID-19 pandemic, this is a wonderful

opportunity for people across all ages and no matter

where they live to participate in the Mass at the holiest

time in our Church’s year. Please share this exciting

news with your parishioners.

Palm Sunday

5th April 2020

Dominic, 47 is a former teacher and father of six from Papua New Guinea. In 2016, he became involved with the Caritas Australia’s Safe House and Family Anonymous programs and turned a difficult life and an unhappy relationship around. The program provides gender-based violence prevention training, counselling services and safe accommodation for women and children survivors of violence. Now a community trainer, he works with other men to help them to change their behaviour and build more harmonious family lives. Dominic and his wife, Christophylda say that their relationship has been transformed – and their family life is now harmonious, happy and safe.

Please donate to Project Compassion 2020 to help support the Safe House project and help bring greater harmony to families in Papua New Guinea.

Let’s Go Further, Together. You can donate through Parish boxes and envelopes (still available in the Church, we can leave them outside for collection, just contact the Parish office on 9543 2677), or by visiting www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion or phoning 1800 024 413.

Chocolate Paschal Lambs - Easter 2020

We are still selling the Chocolate Pascal Lambs for $10, available in the Parish office during the week (Tue - Fri, 9am until 3.30pm). Why not help promote this rich ancient Christian Easter symbol amongst your family and friends by giving kids unique chocolate Paschal Lambs rather than bunnies which have no religious meaning?

By purchasing these chocolate Paschal Lambs, you are helping the

Michaelite Mission Priests with their fundraising for the people of Papua New Guinea.

Please note that the chocolate used for the lambs is Cadbury. Cadbury’s cocoa supply chain is verified by Fairtrade, and since

2018, Cadbury has launched a new partnership with Fairtrade to support the roll out of the Cocoa Life sustainability program

in Australia. The program seeks to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and to develop their expertise.

If you would like to purchase any, please call the Parish office on 9543 2677 or email

menaihfp@bigpond.net.au and we can arrange to leave them outside the Church.

The Public Celebration of Mass has been suspended indefinitely

WHAT THE FAITHFUL CAN DO TO KEEP HOLY THEIR SUNDAY

Set aside some time for prayer at home Read the Scriptures of the day Watch Mass on television or online Spiritual Communion Prayer Pray the Rosary

- Divine Mercy Chaplet - Stations of the Cross

And ask God for the graces they would normally receive in Holy Communion.

CATHOLIC WEEKLY

The Catholic Weekly is fully available online and offers regular news updates. The full digital edition of the

newspaper can also be accessed. Links can be located on the Holy Family website home page

(www.holyfamilymenai.org.au)