Litany of the Sacred Passion

Lord Jesus, at the Last Supper you knew that Judas, one of the Twelve, would betray you. ~GOOD LORD, DELIVER US FROM FALSE FRIENDS AND TREACHERY.

Lord Jesus, during the supper, you humbly washed the feet of your disciples. ~GOOD LORD, MAKE US MEEK AND HUMBLE OF HEART.

Lord Jesus, at the Last Supper, you gave us the sacrament of your broken body and outpoured blood. ~GOOD LORD, WE WORSHIP THE SEAL OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT.

Lord Jesus, you asked your disciples to watch and pray with you in the Garden of Gethsemane. ~GOOD LORD, KEEP US AWAKE AND WATCHFUL WITH YOU.

Lord Jesus, at your betrayal and arrest all your friends fled in fear and deserted you. ~GOOD LORD, GIVE US COURAGE IN TIME OF TRIAL.

Lord Jesus, you were falsely accused and condemned for speaking the truth before Caiaphas. ~GOOD LORD, MAY WE SPEAK TRUTH IN THE FACE OF INJUSTICE.

Lord Jesus, in the courtyard of the high , Simon Peter swore three times that he did not know you. ~GOOD LORD, MAKE US FAITHFUL IN TIME OF TEMPTATION.

Lord Jesus, Pilate traded you for a murderer and handed you over to crucifixion. ~GOOD LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US SINNERS.

Lord Jesus, you were beaten, mocked, and humiliated by Pilate's soldiers. ~GOOD LORD, MAY WE SUFFER GLADLY FOR YOUR SAKE.

Lord Jesus, on the cross you were taunted and derided as King of the Jews. ~GOOD LORD, MAY WE ALWAYS LIVE IN OBEDIENCE TO YOU.

Lord Jesus, on the cross you forgave your enemies. ~GOOD LORD, GIVE US THE GRACE TO FORGIVE OURS.

Lord Jesus, from the cross you promised paradise to a repentant criminal. ~GOOD LORD, MAKE US LONG FOR PARADISE AND ETERNAL BLISS.

Lord Jesus, from the cross you confided your Blessed Mother to your beloved disciple. ~GOOD LORD, MAKE US CHILDREN OF MARY.

Lord Jesus, you cried out in agony to your Father and died with a loud cry. ~GOOD LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US, NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH.

Lord Jesus, the Roman centurion recognized you as the Son of God. ~GOOD LORD, MAY WE ALWAYS PRAISE AND EXALT YOU AS OUR BLESSED SAVIOR.

Lord Jesus, you were taken down from the cross and laid in the arms of your sorrowful Mother. ~GOOD LORD, ENTRUST US TO THE CARE OF YOUR BLESSED MOTHER.

Lord Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea wrapped your body in a linen shroud and laid you in his rock-hewn tomb. ~GOOD LORD, GRANT US THE GIFT OF TEARS AT THE MEMORY OF YOUR SUFFERING, DEATH, AND BURIAL.

Lord Jesus, the women who had followed you from Galilee watched as you were put to rest in the tomb. ~GOOD LORD, WE AWAIT WITH JOY YOUR GLORIOUS RESURRECTION ON THE THIRD DAY.

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, ~FOR BY YOUR HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD.

Closing

Lord Jesus Christ, you were fastened with nails to the wood of the cross and raised on high for all to see. As the sun grew dark and the earth quaked, you surrendered your spirit to your Father, descended among the dead, broke open the gates of hell, and freed those bound in darkness. As angel choirs rejoiced, you were raised to life again on the third day, destroying death by your own death and canceling the power of sin. By these mighty deeds on our behalf, rescue us from our blindness and tepidity, inspire us anew by your Holy Spirit, and lead us into a life of prayer and service worthy of your awesome sacrifice, O Savior of the world, living and reigning with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. ~AMEN.

May the glorious passion of our Lord Jesus Christ bring us to the joys of paradise. AMEN.

from A Catholic Book of Hours and Other Devotions by William G. Storey +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +Dear Parents, April 15, 2019

As we celebrate God’s infinite and unconditional love during this Holy Week, I thought this Litany of the Sacred Passion recalled the events, symbols, and people these holy days. (You might recognize it from a few years ago.) I hope that it will be a good source of prayer for you this week. Let us remember each other and our intentions as we gather for prayer during Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. I have included the schedule for all of the services in this week’s communication.

Let us pray for Father Leva, Father Rossi, Father Donia, and Father Mulraenen and all as we celebrate the institution of the priesthood on Holy Thursday. May they know and feel our prayerful support for all that they do for St. Joseph Parish, Bishop Shanahan, St. Martha Center, and for their families and all that they have served and will serve!

Finally, let us prayer for our parishioners will be received into the Church at the . Let us also prayer for their families and for the members of the RCIA team who have guided them throughout their journey in faith!

Be assured of our throughout these holy days and all year long! God bless you! Sister Catherine Irene, IHM Thank you to Sister Jeanne for her direction of our Living Stations. We thank Ms. Billone and the Choir for their beautiful and inspiring music. We thank the 6th Grade teachers, Mrs. DiSammartino and Ms. Mattioni, for their guidance during the practices. Thank you to the 6th Graders for their acting, narrating, and stage crew! Each of you contributed in leading us in our prayer. Our Living Stations was a truly prayerful reflection on the Lord’s Passion! We were so happy that many of our families were able to come to the Living Stations on Friday evening! I continue to be inspired by the reverence of those who are involved in the Living Stations and of those who sit and pray in awe! Look for some amazing pictures later this week! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Holy Week and Easter Schedule

Holy Thursday - April 18 No morning Masses Mass of the Lord’s Supper—7:00 PM Night Prayer—11:00 PM

Good Friday - April 19 No morning Masses Office of Readings & Morning Prayer—9:00 AM Celebration of the Lord’s Passion—3:00 PM —7:00 PM

Holy Saturday - April 20 No 8:00 AM Mass Office of Reading & Morning Prayer—9:00 AM Blessing of Easter Food—1:00 PM Easter Vigil—8:00 PM

Easter Sunday - April 21 Please note special Mass times: 6:00 AM, 7:15 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:45AM, 12:30 PM

(Please note the adjusted times and that there is no 4:00 p.m. on Easter Sunday.)

Looking Ahead: April 16 Stations of the Cross, 2:00 p.m. April 17 Grade 6 Class Trip Easter Vacation begins at the end of the day: FULL DAY of SCHOOL April 18 - 20 Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday April 21 Easter Sunday April 22 Easter Monday: No School April 23 School Resumes April 25 Career Day for Grades 5 to 8 April 26 Gal Pal Dance April 27 St. Joseph School Chorus performs at the Reading Phillies May 1 and 2 First Communion Practices May 3 School Liturgy at 10:15 a.m. May 4 First Holy Communion May 6 Pre-K 4 Mother’s Day Teas May 7 Parish May May 9 Pre-K 3 Mother’s Day Tea May 10 WALKATHON!!!! May 13 Grade 1 Class Trip May 20 (date change) Instrumental Music Concert, Gr. 4 & 5 (Band/Strings/Ukuleles): 1:30 pm & 7:00 pm May 21 Instrumental Music and Chorus Concert: 1:30 pm and 7:00 pm +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

March Ambassadors of Kindness

2019-2020 RE-ENROLLMENT INFORMATION: The link to the re-enrollment Information can be found on the website at: http://stjosephrc.org/school/admissions/registration/ To register your younger children to our school, you will use the same link and forms. Don’t forget to tell your family and friends!!! REMINDER: RE-ENROLLMENT IS DUE TODAY IN ORDER TO AVOID A LATE FEE! Please review all materials carefully. All re-enrollment must be completed through SMART TUITION. Only credit card and auto pay from your bank accounts will be accepted as payment for your deposit. Once you pay your deposit, your child or children will be re-enrolled for the next school year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Financial Aid Applications: It is not too late to apply for financial aid. It is VERY important to apply, even if you think you might not qualify. We sometimes receive additional funds and can use them for families who do not qualify. We might just be able to help you. Please go to https://online.factsmgt.com/aid . If you applied in the past, you might be able to assess your past information as well. Again, I encourage all of our families to complete the Financial Aid Application. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SHADOW DAYS: If you do have a relative or friend that wants to come and spend the day at St. Joseph School to see what happens during a typical school day, we do encourage children to come for a SHADOW DAY. The student will spend a day in his/her current grade and meet the students and teachers. Please have your families or friends call the school office to schedule a Shadow Day! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ IT’S TIME FOR THE WALKATHON! INFORMATION IS SENT HOME REGULARLY VIA CONSTANT CONTACT FROM THE WALATHON COMMITTEE. IF YOU ARE NOT RECEIVING THE EMAILS, PLEASE LET US KNOW. WE WILL ADD YOU TO THE CONSTANT CONTACT LIST. I WILL ALSO POST UPDATES ON THE PRINCIPAL’S PAGE. THANK YOU! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++