PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION April 4/5, 2009   How will you make preparations for the Triduum?   Gospel Reflection (Mark 15:1-39): This Palm Sunday reading of the Passion of the Lord is taken from Mark’s Gospel. It was the first written account of how Jesus suffered and died. It is also the shortest version of the Passion and is written almost like a newspaper story that presents “just the facts.”    The most important truth Mark wants to communicate is that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, whose suffering leads to glory. When Jesus cries out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1), he is praying in the words of the psalmist who continues to trust God even when all seems hopeless.    As we read or listen to the Passion, we try to unite ourselves with Jesus and all those who suffer injustice in today’s world. Discussion Points for Gospel: Imagine that you are one of the following people: Pilate, Barabbas, a Roman soldier, Simon of Cyrene, a member of the crowd, or the centurion. Describe your thoughts and feelings about Jesus as he endures his Passion and Crucifixion. Why do you think people sometimes ridicule and mock others? What does the example of Jesus teach us about seeking revenge against others?    Why do you think people in crowds sometimes act in ways that they as individuals would never do? What insights into human behavior does the Passion of Jesus give you? How will you show this week that you honor Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God? (--Sadlier “We Believe” www.webelieve.web.com)     MASSES FOR THE WEEK SATURDAY          5:15 pm     Bday Joseph Petras - Wendy Serbonich SUNDAY               8:30 am     Frieda Shields - Peggy Adelsberger                             10:30 am     People of Our Parish                               6:15 pm     Stephen Parish - Mark Skirtich MONDAY            12:15 pm     Tony Udvardy TUESDAY                               NO 5:15 pm Mass today                               7:00 pm     Chrism Mass @ St. Mary Church, Marietta WEDNESDAY      12:15 pm     Beulah Udvardy THURSDAY          7:30 pm     Sick & Shut-ins of Our Parish FRIDAY                7:30 pm     Celebration of the Lord's Passion SATURDAY           8:30 pm     Phyllis Cross & Vivian Chapma                                                              - the Chapman family SUNDAY                8:30 am     People of Our Parish  Easter Sunday                    10:30 am     Area Needy                                              6:15 pm     Tony Udvardy PARISH CALENDAR: April 5 - 12 SUNDAY          Palm Sunday                         9:30 am     Rosary                       11:30 pm     Children's Easter Choir practice                       11:30 am     Prayers for Peace                         2:30 pm     NFP session                         5:15 pm     Reconciliation TUESDAY                         7:00 pm     Chrism Mass, Marietta WEDNESDAY                         7:00 pm     Newman Community meeting THURSDAY    Holy Thursday                                          office closed                         7:30 pm     Mass FRIDAY          Good Friday                                          office closed                       12:00 pm     Ecumenical Service                         7:00 pm     R.C.I.A. session                         7:30 pm    Celebration of the Passion SATURDAY     Holy Saturday                         8:00 am     R.C.I.A. retreat                         8:30 pm     Sacraments of Initiation &                                          Mass (reception follows Mass) SUNDAY          Easter Sunday                         9:30 am     Rosary                       11:30 am     Prayers for Peace                         5:15 pm     Reconciliation
Sunday Scripture Readings      Reflection on the Scriptures has become more and more a part of basic Christian spirituality. At times we would like to return to the Sunday Scriptures at home, but we do not have the missalette with us. At other times we may be interested in seeing just what came before or immediately after the reading for the day to gain more insights.      To encourage this encounter with the Scriptures, we will be including in the bulletin the scripture reading references for the current Sunday and the following Sunday. In addition, in our on-line bulletin we will have the actual links to the readings.	New American Bible Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion Isaiah 50:4-7 Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 Philippians 2:6-11 Mark 14:1—15:47 or 15:1-39 Easter Sunday Acts 10:34, 37-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23 Colossians 3:1-4 John 20:1-9
QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK Palm Sunday      On Palm Sunday, Christ is proclaimed King of Israel. A few days later, he will be condemned to death by the same crowd. Nevertheless, he ends his life, forgiving all who have hurt him. Adults: Am I a follower of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday as well as at the foot of the Cross? How? Children: What do I do when a classmate or friend is going through a rough time? Do I stay with them or do I leave them alone? ECUMENICAL GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE   This service, an annual tradition in Athens, is based on the seven last words of Christ. Members of several Athens congregations gather to pray together. Christ the King is the host of this year’s Good Friday Service on April 10. Join us in the church beginning at 12 noon. The service will conclude before 1:00 pm. HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE April 5 - 12 Palm Sunday    regular Mass schedule Tuesday    Chrism Mass, Marietta, 7:00 pm Holy Thursday    7:30 pm Mass Good Friday    Ecumenical Serv. 12 noon @ CTK    7:30 pm Celeb. of the Passion Holy Saturday    8:30 pm Easter Vigil    reception following Mass Easter Sunday    regular Mass schedule Protecting Conscience Rights in Health Care: Our Voice is Needed!    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is inviting public comment on a proposal to rescind an important federal regulation issued in December. The regulation implements and enforces three federal laws protecting the conscience rights of health care providers, especially those at risk of being discriminated against because of their moral or religious objection to abortion.    The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is urging Catholics to tell the Obama Administration to retain Health and Human Services regulations governing conscience protection for health care workers. Visit the USCCB webpage for more information: www.usccb.org/prolife/whatsnew.shtml    A direct link to the information about this on the USCCB website: www.nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=271 You can click on the “send email” button on this page to send an email message to the Office of Public Health and Science at HHS, which is collecting public comments on this issue. CATHOLIC LADIES OF COLUMBIA    CLC members will meet at CTK on Monday, April 13, at 6:30 pm. Phone regrets only to Carole Carpenter, 592-1803; Candy Goodwin, 594-3090; or Jean Edwards, 592-1428. LITURGY BITS AND BYTES Holy Week    Holy Week is the most sacred time in the life of a parish community. It is what we have been preparing for all of Lent. It is the highlight of what our faith life is all about. So don’t miss the best part! As we enter the holiest of weeks, know that your presence at these liturgies is important. Each service is unique. The solemn liturgies for Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday are among the very best things we do in the church. Don’t miss these celebrations! Yes, they are longer than usual. Yes, they are different, but isn’t that to be expected? Special events always cause us to change our ordinary routine way of doing things. That should not surprise us.    Join your parish community for these special celebrations. You won’t be disappointed. The celebrations of this holy week are a climactic conclusion to our Lenten experience. As we move from the “hosannas” of Palm Sunday to the remembrance table of Holy Thursday, may our faith strengthen us to go from the Good Friday Cross of Calvary to the living waters of Holy Saturday and to the joy of Easter “Alleluias!” Copyright © 2008 Resource Publications, San Jose, CA	BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES           April 6 - 12 Birthdays: Sandy Bagnole, Sam Berlin, Steve Biancone, Susie Blauser, Becky Boakye-Yiadom, David Brown, Jeanie Creamer, Tom Franz, Harold Gregory, Karen Harrington, Ben McAdoo, Kyle Schleter, Tony Sylvester, Lauren Thomas, Mamerto Tindongan, Becky Tompkins, and Doug Woodruff. Student: Andrew Szink Anniversaries: Happy Palm Sunday 12th anniversary to Ana & Chris Feger, and congratulations to Pearl & Don Peterson (36th) and to Mary & Jeff Redefer (29th). PRAYERS FOR THE SICK - Please continue to pray for Ric Abel, Mary Ann Gorman, Kathi Hahn and Bill Rader. (Remembered in the petitions) EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS are due no later than this Monday, April 6, for inclusion in the Easter bulletin. Final choir practice for 10:30 Easter Sunday CHILDREN’S CHOIR is today, April 5, in the CTK Parish Center Chapel after the 10:30 Mass. MASS AT HICKORY CREEK -- There’s been a change in the date when we will celebrate the Eucharist at Hickory Creek. This month it will be Wednesday, April 22, at 2:00 p.m. Again, we expect residents to attend, and our parishioners are always welcome to join us. PRAYER/MEDITATION BOOKLETS    There are copies of the Living Faith booklets available at the bulletin boards in church. The months of April, May and June are included in this issue.     We have the Holy Week issue as well as the April issue of Living with Christ. These particular booklets are very well done. Each issue is $2.00, or you can purchase a yearly subscription for $15.00; contact the office for more information. Peace and Justice Committee News - Christ the King is going green! Read in the bulletin each week in April how our parish is helping the environment and what you can do in your household/living area to help. The good news this week is Reduce Waste! Our parish has stopped using styrofoam products, except those we already have. We are reducing our use of disposable products as much as possible by reusing mugs, cups, plates, silverware, etc. BRATTON SCHOLARSHIP - The James & Martha Bratton Scholarship will be awarded to a student attending or planning to attend a college or technical school. The amount may vary but will not exceed $2,000. Applicants must be members of any Christian church of Athens County and have a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Application deadline is April 17, and applications are available through our parish office. Contact First Presbyterian Church, 593-3351. COMING HOME NETWORK INTERNATIONAL presents “The Catholic Paul?” on Saturday, May 16, at the Hilton Easton in Columbus, Ohio. Scheduled speakers include Marcus Grodi, Dr. Scott Hahn, Dr. Jeff Morrow, Dr. Mary Healy, Jeff Cavins, and Father Mitch Pacwa. For more information, check out their websites at www.chnetwork.org or www.thecatholicpaul.com “MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER GOES WILD at the Akron Zoo on May 31, 1-5 pm”    Registration forms will be in the next issue of Footprints newsletter. The cost for the event is $8/person (includes admission, parking, face painting, ice cream and behind-the-scenes tours). If you do not receive Footprints, request registration forms from Dave & Lucy Downs at 330-546-0742 or email downhome@neo.rr.com Join the fun at the Zoo! SUMMER JOBS - “Catholic Youth Camp in MN is currently looking for Camp Counselors! Are you a college student who loves camping and kids? If so, consider joining the CYC team for camp this summer 2009! Please visit www.cycamp.org for more information and to download application materials. Contact Natalie at 651-636-1645 or natalie@cycamp.org if you have questions. We hope to hear from you soon!”