HOW CATHOLIC COMMUNITY IN GAZA CELEBRATES PALM SUNDAY, CARDINAL GREGORY HOLY WEEK MASSES (1712 hits)
For Immediate Release From Kingdom-Cooling Well Water Ministries!
(A Ten-Minute Read)
The Catholic community in Gaza continues to show the world an incredible testimony of faith. Today, despite the war and its dangers, the Holy Family Parish celebrated Palm Sunday in the most solemn way.
May their courage be an example to everyone. A blessed Holy Week to us all.
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“Let us learn from her to draw near to Jesus in these days of Holy Week, so that we may arrive at the joy of the Resurrection.”
Pope Francis invites Christians to enter Holy Week by entrusting our journey toward Easter to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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Patriarch Pizzaballa: Situation In Gaza Is Intolerable
Speaking to an Italian television station, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, says that “everyone must do everything possible to put an end to this situation." By Vatican News
"It is objectively intolerable."
That’s how Cardinal Gianbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, described the situation in Gaza in a recent interview with the Italian television station TV2000.
“We have always had many problems of all kinds,” he continued, “and even the economic-financial situation has always been very fragile, but there has never been hunger before."
"Everyone—religious, political, and social communities," said Patriarch Pizzaballa, "must do everything possible to put an end this situation."
"The weakness of the United States," emphasised the Patriarch, "creates a great dilemma, because, until now, there has always been someone to put things in order. Now there is no longer anyone to play this role, and we have to do it ourselves. I don't know if, how, or when this will be possible."
Easter In Times Of War
Speaking days before the beginning of Holy Week, Patriarch Pizzaballa offered his reassurances that permits will be granted to Christians living in Palestinian territories to allow them to visit Jerusalem for liturgies.
"We’ll get the permits," he said. "We insisted, saying that as they had given permits to Muslims for Ramadan, they should also give them to Christians for Easter. Even if the numbers are smaller, we will have several thousand permits both for Palm Sunday and for Easter."
"It will be a difficult Easter," Cardinal Pizzaballa concluded. "I think of the loneliness of Jesus in Gethsemane, which is now shared by all of us."
Pope To RAI: Public Broadcasting Must Serve The Common Good
Meeting managers and staff of the Italian broadcasting corporation, RAI, Pope Francis highlights its mission to serve citizens by producing high-quality programmes and unbiased information for the common good. By Lisa Zengarini
The primary mission of a public broadcaster is to serve citizens by providing them with truthful and accurate information, education, and high-quality entertainment, Pope Francis said on Saturday.
The Pope was speaking to managers and employees of the RAI-Radio Televisione Italiana, the Italian broadcasting corporation, whom he received on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its radio launch and the 70th anniversary of its first public TV channel.
In his address, Pope Francis noted that the RAI’s history is closely intertwined with the cultural changes that have taken place in Italian society over the past decades, to which it has significantly contributed. “Indeed,” he said, “the media influence our identities, for better or for worse.”
He therefore reflected on two keywords of the RAI’s mission: service and public.
“Communication is a gift to the community.”
Offering a truthful and pluralistic information Regarding the first point, Pope Francis remarked that in the field of information, serving is essentially about “seeking and promoting the truth, for example by countering the spread of fake news”, and ideological manipulation disrupting the social fabric.
It means avoiding any misleading reductionism, “remembering that the truth is ‘symphonic’ and that it is best attained by learning to listen to the variety of voices - as in a choir - rather than always and only shouting out one's own idea.”
Vatican Holds Dialogue With German Bishops About Synodal Journey
Vatican officials meet with representatives of the German Bishops’ Conference to discuss several theological questions raised in documents from the Synodal process in Germany. By Vatican News
The Holy See and the German Bishops’ Conference released a joint statement on Friday at the end of a day of talks in the Vatican on the Synodal path in Germany.
According to the statement, representatives of the Roman Curia met with several German Bishops “to continue the dialogue begun during the Ad Limina visit of the German Bishops in November 2022.”
The meeting follows a previous encounter held on July 26, 2023, and was “characterized by a positive and constructive atmosphere.”
Discussions focused on “some of the open theological questions raised in the documents of the Synodal Path of the Catholic Church in Germany.”
Representatives agreed to continue their dialogue through “a regular exchange” so as to address “differences and agreements.”
According to the joint statement, “the German bishops clarified that this work will serve to develop concrete forms of synodality for the Church in Germany, in accordance with the ecclesiology of the Second Vatican Council, the provisions of Canon Law, and the results of the Synod of the universal Church, which will then be submitted to the Holy See for approval.”
The next dialogue will be held before August 2024.
Pope Francis: Youth Are Living Hope Of A Church On The Move
On the fifth anniversary of the Apostolic Exhortation ‘Christus vivit’, Pope Francis invites young people to “make their voices heard” as they “bear witness before everyone to the joy born of friendship with Christ.” By Christopher Wells
The “certainty” that “Christ is alive and He wants you to be alive” has inspired Pope Francis to write again to young people, on the fifth anniversary of his Apostolic Exhortation, Christus vivit, written in the wake of the 2018 Synod on “young people, faith, and vocational discernment.”
“Above all,” Pope Francis says in the message released on Monday, “I would like my words to be a source of renewed hope” to young people who may feel discouraged in a world “marked by so many conflicts and so much suffering.”
Christ Is A Live And Loves You
The Holy Father assures young people that “Christ is alive and He loves you with an infinite love.” The Holy Father invites them to “walk with Him as a friend, welcome Him into your life, and let Him share all the joys and hopes, the problems and struggles of this time in your life.”
He goes on to remind people of the “great mission” they have received “to bear witness before everyone to the joy born of friendship with Christ,” reminding them of his invitation to make their voices heard and his encouragement to “make a mess,” famously expressed in Spanish as “¡Hagan lío!”
Living in the presence of Jesus, the Pope tells young people, will allow their “memory of the past” to prove fruitful and help them to “find courage in the present” and “face the future with hope.”
The Hope Of The Church ‘On The Move’
The Exhortation Christus vivit, Pope Francis says, “is the fruit of a Church that wants to move forward together by listening, dialogue, and constant discernment of the Lord's
Holy See: 'Fight Against Racism Begins From Education'
During a commemorative event in New York marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Vatican’s Permanent Observer to the United Nation highlights the crucial role of education in eradicating racial prejudice, and decries ongoing racial discrimination against migrants or refugees of African descent in their countries of destination. By Lisa Zengarini
On 21 March the United Nations marked the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The observance coincides with the anniversary of the killing of 69 people by the police at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in Sharpeville, South Africa, in 1960.
This year’s theme is linked to the International Decade for People of African Descent, which spans the timeframe from 2015 to 2024.
Speaking at a commemorative event in New York on Thursday, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Vatican’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations, reiterated the Holy See’s strong condemnation of racism and racial discrimination in all its forms and highlighted the crucial role of education to eradicate it.
Many Forms Of Racism
He recalled that racism takes many forms which can be deliberate and overt acts of discrimitation, or unconscious prejudices. “Consciously or not,” he said “this attitude of superiority fuels a throwaway mentality that leads to contempt for and abandonment of the weakest and those who are seen as useless.”
“Racism can manifest itself in thoughts and actions that we may not even think of as racist, but which come from the same place of prejudice.”
MetaSaint: Catholic Priest Launches Outreach On Roblox Gaming Platform
MetaSaint, a new Catholic game, launches on the Roblox gaming platform on Holy Thursday and seeks to bring the Gospel to 'Generation Alpha' and the platform's 70 million daily users. By Joseph Tulloch
Fr. Rob Galea has been working with young people for as long as he’s been a priest.
The Maltese-Australian artist sang in front of an estimated 500,000 people at World Youth Day in 2011, and went on to appear on Australia’s Got Talent. His non-profit ICON Ministry reaches between 1.7 and 2 million people every year through in-person speaking engagements, videos, and online liturgies.
As time has gone on, however, Fr. Galea has noticed that there’s one particular demographic he isn’t reaching: the so-called ‘Generation Alpha’, which ranges in age from zero to 13 years old.
Generation Alpha, Fr. Rob notes in an interview with Vatican News, is not on social media and is much less likely than older children to attend in-person events. This is “the COVID generation," he points out.
During this Mass, Cardinal Gregory will bless the sacred oils used by all parishes in the archdiocese over the next year for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders and the Anointing of the Sick. The priests of the archdiocese will also renew the promises made at their ordination, reaffirming their commitment to Christ, to His Church and to priestly ministry.
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Misa Crismal
La Arquidiócesis Católica Romana de Washington transmitirá en vivo las Misas de Semana Santa
Misa del Domingo de Ramos | Misa Crismal | Misa del Jueves Santo | Liturgia del Viernes Santo | Misa de la Vigilia Pascual | Misa del Domingo de Resurrección
Durante esta Misa, el Cardenal Gregory bendecirá los óleos sagrados que utilizarán todas las parroquias de la Arquidiócesis durante el próximo año para los sacramentos del Bautismo, la Confirmación, el Orden Sagrado y la Unción de los Enfermos. Los sacerdotes arquidiocesanos también renovarán las promesas hechas en su ordenación, reafirmando así su compromiso con Cristo, con su Iglesia y con el ministerio sacerdotal.
Acompáñenos el 25 de marzo a las 2:00 PM EDT en la Catedral de San Mateo Apóstol en persona o viendo la transmisión en vivo por nuestro canal de YouTube. Esta Misa será en inglés.
HOLY WEEK MASS News
Holy Thursday is the day Jesus gathered with his disciples before he died to wash their feet and institute the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Holy Thursday is the first day of the Triduum.
During the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Cardinal Gregory will wash the feet of 12 people, as Christ washed the feet of the apostles at the Last Supper. After Mass, the Blessed Sacrament will remain on the main altar for a brief period of Adoration, followed by Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 7:30 PM EDT.
Join us with celebrant Cardinal Gregory at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle on March 28 at 5:30 PM EDT in person or watch our livestream video on our YouTube channel. This Mass is bilingual in English & Spanish.
ASL interpreter provided The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington Office of Deaf and Disabilities Ministry offers a Holy Week and Easter schedule for Masses and Liturgies with American Sign Language Interpretation. Local parishes may also provide ASL interpretation; please contact a local ADW parish of your choosing for more information on what services are available.
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Jueves Santo: Misa de la Cena del Señor
La Arquidiócesis Católica Romana de Washington transmitirá en vivo las Misas de Semana Santa
Misa del Domingo de Ramos | Misa Crismal | Misa del Jueves Santo | Liturgia del Viernes Santo | Misa de la Vigilia Pascual | Misa del Domingo de Resurrección
El Jueves Santo, Jesús cenó por última vez con sus discípulos antes de morir, les lavó los pies e instituyó la Sagrada Eucaristía. El Jueves Santo es el primer día del Triduo Pascual.
Durante la Misa del Jueves Santo, que conmemora la Cena del Señor, el Cardenal Gregory lavará los pies a 12 personas, en recuerdo de Cristo que les lavó los pies a los apóstoles en la Última Cena. Al concluir esta Misa, el Santísimo Sacramento permanecerá en el altar mayor durante un breve período para adoración, seguido de la Reposición a las 7:30 PM EDT.
Acompañemos a S.Em. el Cardenal Gregory en la celebración de la Santa Misa en la Catedral de San Mateo Apóstol el 28 de marzo a las 5:30 PM en persona o viendo la transmisión en vivo a través de nuestro canal de YouTube. Esta Misa será bilingüe en inglés y español.
Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion and Veneration of the Cross
