The Bells of St. Mary’s
The Church of the Immaculate Conception
 
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord April 5, 2020

 
From Fr. Anthony Ekanem, MSP
 
~ Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord ~
Today, we should be holding palm branches in our hands, waving in celebration and jubilation of the triumphant entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem. It is rather unfortunate for us this time; we are going to miss that joyous part with palms this weekend. Palm will be distributed later in the year once the quarantine is lifted. Depending on how things progress in the coming weeks, distribution of palm will take place on Corpus Christi Sunday for us to hold during Eucharistic processions. It is a bittersweet remembrance because we know that no sooner had Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples than He was arrested, tried, convicted, and put to death. But the City, Jerusalem we heard today in the readings, is more than just a site of His crucifixion. It is also the site of His resurrection. Through His sacrifice, which took place in this city, we hope one day we shall reach eternal Jerusalem as we adhere steadfastly to the Coronavirus directives from the Archdiocese and the State of New York during the pandemic. 
 
This current shutdown everywhere could equally open another way of enabling us to recall the unique essence of our salvation - The Paschal mystery. As we battle with this pandemic called coronavirus, let us look to Jesus Christ, who can rescue us from this dreadful situation, "COVID," which in a sense could mean: 
C-Christ 
O- Overcomes
V - Viruses 
I - Infections and 
D - Deaths
 Yes, Jesus enters Jerusalem to cries of "Hosanna," but just a few days later, the shouts He will hear from the same crowd will be, "Crucify Him, crucify Him." In Isaiah's prophecy, Paul's testimony, and Matthews's account of the passion, trusting in God during our trying times comes out as a prevalent theme for our reflection. Jesus' obedience, sacrifice, and perseverance in His suffering should give us hope and assurance when we meditate deeply on the responsorial psalm: "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"
 
Our one question should be which character seems to be one we  identify with very quickly in our trying time? Do we join the crowd in our daily lives to sing hosanna in one hand crucify Him on another? Or do we pray for our medical personnel, Police safety Departments, Scientists, and especially our leaders, both at the local and federal levels, as well as those in religious authority for a pearl of true wisdom and good judgment as they consider ways to battle with this pandemic?
 
The solemn procession with palms is the traditional start of the Holy Week. And since we cannot participate physically because of our current situation, it could be a time of an inward journey for all of us. How are we getting ready in this particular situation to enter spiritually into Our Lord's passion for our salvation? Again take a look at the summary of today's readings: 
¨ Gospel for procession - (Matthew 21:1-11) tells about Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, not has an all-conquering warrior, but as a gentle, humble bearer of Good News.
¨ First Reading - (Isaiah 50:4-7) The prophet suffers in carrying out his mission but is sustained by the firm belief that God will not abandon him. 
¨ Second Reading - (Philippians 2:6 - 11) Jesus took on Himself our human condition and accepted death on a cross, the Father has raised Him and made Him Lord of heaven and earth.
¨ Gospel (Matthew 26:14 - 27) St. Matthew shows the passion as fulfilling the prophecies of Scripture. He portrays Jesus, because of His foreknowledge and free decisions, as being in complete control of the situation.
Let us pray as we enter this most sacred week, that our good Lord may give us new eyes to see the beauty and appreciate what He has done for us. It seems we have already shared in this self - sacrificing and emptying by our situations at the moment. Beaten down by increasing deaths on the news, growing weary as to what may happen next, and when it ends, let us pray that we may not feel abandoned but trust in our loving mercy of God.
 
INFORMATION
 
JOIN US FOR DAILY MASS LIVESTREAM BY GOING TO: www.icmay.com
 
Our live stream Schedule will be as follows:
PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD

 
EASTER TRIDUUM
Holy Thursday/Maundy Thursday - 7:00 pm Arabic, Spanish and English
Good Friday Celebration -                12:00 pm - Spanish and English
                                                                7:00 pm in Arabic language
Holy Saturday/ Easter Vigil –           6:30 pm - Spanish and English
                                                                8:00 pm In Arabic language
EASTER SUNDAY -                              11:00 am in English
                                                              12:00 pm in Spanish
(The Spanish Masses will be in YouTube)
 
Please go to the website about 15 minutes before the posted time to join the English livestream. There is a 30 second delay on the video feed. A recording of the Spanish Saturday 7:30 PM will be uploaded to YouTube.
 
CONTINUED FINANCIAL SUPPORT We urge all who can to please consider joining the online WeShare automated giving program by going to: https://icmary.churchgiving.com/ to set up automatic giving to keep our staff, clergy, and buildings ready for us when this crisis ends, as it will. After the page opens, look around WeShare at the collection opportunities and click on the yellow button, “Make a Donation", and follow directions. God bless you for your continuing sacrifices.
 
While we are still able to keep our churches open for private prayer you will see collection boxes In the Church. Please place your collection envelopes or any contribution you wish to make to help support our parish, staff and our utility expenses. Or you can mail or drop your envelope at the Parish Office.
Thank you for supporting the work of Jesus Christ!
 
Sundays Readings:
First Reading : Isaiah 50: 4-7, (38ABC)
The servant of the Lord God was rebuffed but did not turn back; he was beaten and spat upon. The suffering one knew the Lord God was with him.
Responsoria l Psalm:  Psalm 22: 8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Second Reading: Philippians 2: 6-11 Christ was in the form of God but did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped at. He emptied himself, took the form of a slave, and was obedient unto death! Therefore, God exalted him, and all proclaim him Lord.
Gospel : Matthew 26: 14-27: 66 The passion and death of Jesus includes accounts of his betrayal, trial, condemnation, suffering, crucifixion, and burial.
- Palm will be distributed later in the year -
 
Religious Education

There will be no Religious Education classes until further notice from the Archdiocese

When public schools resume classes will begin for Religious Education.

Blessings to all the families of the Religious Education program of St. Mary’s. Continue to pray together as a family, study and share your faith. God bless you!
 
Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal
 
  Update of 2020 Appeal Goals  Goal:$37,500 Pledged:$20,655.00 Paid:$13,093.00
 
Thank you so much for your cooperation again towards Cardinal’s Appeal. Please, we are still in need of more support in order to reach our parish goal for 2020 as we have been doing.
Holy Week is a good time to consider giving towards Cardinal’s Appeal.
To donate you can go to cardinalsappeal.org, click on Donate, select an amount, and direct your gift to our Church:
#567 Immaculate Conception, Yonkers

 
Mass Intentions for the week of
April 4 to April 12, 2020

 
Saturday, April 4, 2020
12:05 pm - Available/Disponible
5:00 pm - Regina, Manuel, John, Michael David +* Mr & Mrs. Michael Anthony
7:30pm - Legion De Maria * Grupo Legion de Maria
Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020
11:00 am - Panko Family + * Phyllis Panko Stein
12:00 pm - Claudina Alvarez & Alvaro Solorzano + * The Family                  
Monday, April 6, 2020
8:15 am - Available/Disponible
12:05 pm - Baby Rory Rodden Healing * Mom & Dad
Tuesday April 7, 2020
8:15 am - Elaine Canavan
12:05 pm - Available/Disponible
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
8:15 am - Available/Disponible
12:05 pm - Available/Disponible
Holy Thursday, April 9, 2020
7:00 pm - The Last Supper of the Lord
(In Arabic, Spanish and in English)
Good Friday, April 10, 2020
12:00 pm - Stations of the Cross in Spanish & in English
7:00 pm - Stations of the Cross in Arabic language
Holy Saturday, April 11, 2020
6:30 pm - Spanish and in English
8:00 pm Easter Vigil Arabic
Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020
 11:00 am - For the Parish/Para la Parroquia - English              
12:00 pm - For the Parish/Para la Parroquia - Spanish
 
+Indicates deceased *Indicates the person (s) who requested the Mass.
 
Palm will be distributed later in the year once the quarantine is lifted, hopefully on Corpus Christi Sunday during our Eucharistic procession.