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Readings for the Day (Click here and select the date for Palm Sunday, April 5).
giveusthisday.org/Digital
Click here to join Palm Sunday Mass live at 9:30 a.m.
stcatherine-austin.org/live
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Music for Palm Sunday
Ride On, Jesus, Ride: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q0TUeL07ko Hosanna: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSbzx2Qa9nY Psalm 28: www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2p1jXoZ-S4 Jerusalem, My Destiny: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBZWRgzBGZc |
If you are a crafty person, in the best sense of the word, please share your Palm Sunday craft ideas (and photos!) on our R.E. & Youth Ministry Facebook page. Also, if your family does something awesome for Palm Sunday, we would LOVE to see photos! We miss you all!
www.facebook.com/St-Catherine-of-Siena-Family-Faith-Formation-Youth-108798310711775/ |
Traditionally, the liturgy (Mass) of Palm Sunday begins outside the church building. Just as the people waited outside the city of Jerusalem for Jesus before his triumphant entry, we, too, gather to hear a short Gospel reading and have our palms blessed with holy water. Then, we process into the church building, waving our palms and singing Hosanna. As we do this, we enter into Holy Week, the week when we will remember and journey with Jesus during his passion and death and then celebrate his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Today begins this solemn week.
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Gather your family outside and read aloud the first Gospel (one before Mass and one during today) aloud, Matthew 21: 1-11. If you have a palm tree or other shrub or bush, you can cut leaves from it just as the people did to welcome Jesus. You can then process into your house and prepare a place to display those palms and branches. If your family does not yet have a small altar at home, today is the perfect time to prepare one. A red cloth with a candle and palm leaves next to a Bible is a good start.
Ride On, Jesus, Ride. If you are a family that likes music, you can sing along to a hymn often used for this procession at Mass: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q0TUeL07ko.
We can place palm leaves or green clippings from the yard, tied with a ribbon (preferably a red ribbon) on the front doors of our houses. This reminds us and shows others we welcome Jesus into our homes and our hearts. We do this on Palm Sunday as we prepare to remember his passion, death and Resurrection.
Today's psalm is Psalm 22: My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Right now, today, many people in our own communities and around the world are feeling abandoned. Some feel abandoned, isolated in their homes, nursing homes or hospitals. Some feel abandoned by God and others. Think of someone you know who might be feeling abandoned and give them a call today. If possible, draw a picture or write a short letter and mail it to them tomorrow.
Pray together this prayer of solidarity: www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/covid-19-prayer-of-solidarity.cfm. 
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Palm Sunday Craft. Each child can trace her or his own hands or you can trace the hands of each family member. Cut them out and tape or glue them to popsicle sticks (or actual sticks) in the shape of palm leaves. On each hand, perhaps write something for which you are thankful during this time of worldwide suffering or something or someone for whom you would like to pray. Display these family palm leaves on your home altar.
Fine Arts Extension for Older Students. Watch the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical Jesus Christ, Superstar (or video clips on YouTube) and discuss how the biblical characters are portrayed through the costumes and music. Discuss whether or not this art form helps you come to know Jesus better or grow in your faith.
Reflection and Discussion Question. Are you a fair-weather friend? Are you willing to stand up for something or someone only when it's popular? When things get tough, do you protect yourself instead of standing up for what it right?
Second Reading from Philippians Advanced Reflection and Discussion Question. Today's second reading tells us that Jesus, "though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself..." This time of global pandemic is challenging for everyone. Those of us used to having control over our lives, our work, our families, our health, our coming and goings are having to learn that we are powerless in many ways. More than ever, we are dependent upon not only healthcare professionals but equally so sanitation workers and those who stock the shelves nightly at our local grocery stores. In what ways are you struggling to let go and accept that you are not God? Pray for all those people deemed "essential workers" who are risking their lives so we can continue to live ours.
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Gospel Craft for Younger Children. Today's gospel reading is long. Beforehand, you might want to print out a Palm Sunday coloring page for the children to do while listening quietly. (Google "Palm Sunday Coloring Page") There is also a "clothes pin donkey" craft that's pretty cute, but you've got to be able to navigate Pinterest better than I.
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Today's Gospel from Matthew is long. In many parishes, the people are invited to sit as they listen and then kneel in silence after Jesus "gave up his spirit." If your children are old enough, consider reading the gospel story in parts with one person being the Narrator, one being Jesus, etc. Discuss: What most caught your attention as you listened to this account of Jesus' passion and death? With whom do you most identify today in this story?
The last paragraph of the reading says:
"And behold, the veil of the sanctuary
was torn in two from top to bottom.
The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened,
and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection,
they entered the holy city and appeared to many.
The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus
feared greatly when they saw the earthquake
and all that was happening, and they said,
'Truly, this was the Son of God!'"
Let us pray especially for all those who are suffering and sick during this time and for God's strength that we will all be able to persevere in faith.
The last paragraph of the reading says:
"And behold, the veil of the sanctuary
was torn in two from top to bottom.
The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened,
and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection,
they entered the holy city and appeared to many.
The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus
feared greatly when they saw the earthquake
and all that was happening, and they said,
'Truly, this was the Son of God!'"
Let us pray especially for all those who are suffering and sick during this time and for God's strength that we will all be able to persevere in faith.
Closing Prayer
Loving God,
We praise you in a special way today as we celebrate Palm Sunday.
Be with us as we begin our journey through Holy Week, that we may more closely align our lives with yours,
knowing suffering and death, yet remaining hopeful in the life you promise.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
All are invited to share a sign of Christ’s peace
Loving God,
We praise you in a special way today as we celebrate Palm Sunday.
Be with us as we begin our journey through Holy Week, that we may more closely align our lives with yours,
knowing suffering and death, yet remaining hopeful in the life you promise.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
All are invited to share a sign of Christ’s peace
