PALM SUNDAY

PALM SUNDAY begins the holiest week in the Catholic Church. 

Our 7th and 8th grade students helped prepare the palms on Friday for our Palm Sunday processions.
They had to pull and split the palms in half. For some I know it was a new experience and one they probably won't do again.

At three of our five Masses for Palm Sunday the Mass began outside in our courtyard. The gospel of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey was read by the deacon.

Father Ariel, our pastor, gave the blessing for the palms. 

Fr. A going among the people blessing the palms.

 The parishioners processed into Our Lady of the Mountains Church as Jesus rode into Jerusalem to prepare for his death at the end of the week.  As Pope John Paul II said, "The celebration of Holy Week begins with "Hosanna!" of Palm Sunday and culminates in the "Crucify him!" of Good Friday.

Parishioners after Mass stopped by the table with the extra palms and began to make them into crosses. Some taught others. It was a beautiful sight to see. 

Fr. Ariel asked the people to return their palms next Ash Wednesday so they can be burned for the ashes to be given on Ash Wednesday to start a new Lent. 

A bright sign of Spring and soon to be Easter on our church grounds!