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Home , Crucifixion of Jesus

March 21, 2021 Fifth SUNDAY OF Our Lady of Grace

A of the Diocese of Providence

On Holy Thursday, April 1 At 7:00pm will be Mass, following Mass there will be an Adoration of Repose until 9pm.

On GOOD , (A day of Fast and Abstinence) April 2 At 7:00 pm will be a solemn liturgy of 's Passion and Death. The Stations of the will be at 12 noon.

On , April 3 The VIGIL will be celebrated at 7:00pm.

On EASTER SUNDAY, Mass will be celebrated at 8:30am, 10:30am

Each year on this Sunday the Church reads an account of the Passion of . As we listen to it, we are reminded of the cowardice of the followers who abandoned him in his hour of greatest need, of the wickedness of the religious leaders who plotted his death, and of the cruelty of the soldiers who carried out his execution. And we need to be reminded of these things, because we have a kinship with them. But that is not the purpose of the Passion reading. We hear too much bad news as it is. The emphasis is not there. The emphasis is on Jesus, the central character in the story. What we are re- membering is the fidelity, the courage, and the sheer goodness of Jesus. Against the darkness of his goodness shines all the more brightly. The day of his death is not called “Bad Friday” but “.” What makes it good is the love of Jesus. “Greater love no man has than to who lay down his life for his friends.” It is that love that we are remembering this . The early saw in and death of Jesus the triumph of failure. With the help of the Scriptures, they came to understand that this was precisely how Jesus triumphed and entered into his glory. His glory cannot be separated from his passion. On the surface, it may seem as if it was a defeat for Jesus. It was not a defeat. It was a victory. It was the triumph of good over evil, of love over hate, of light over darkness, and of life over death. The Passion Story shows how Jesus responded to what was done to him. He absorbed all the violence, transformed it, and returned it as love and . This was the victory of love over all the powers of destruction. There was nothing but love in him. Even when they nailed his hands and feet, he was loving. It helps to think about that when we are going through these hard times. It is a consolation for us to know that Jesus suffered. Yet his suffering would have been wasted if he had not endured it with love. It was not Jesus’ suffering that saved the world but his love. Anyone who pre- tends to love suffering is crazy. Suffering is something that you would give almost anything to avoid. Yet we are glad to suffer for someone we love. Our love gives a meaning to our suffering. Jesus was the dying because he loved his sheep. Suffering that is merely endured does nothing for our souls, except perhaps harden them. It is the spirit in which we bear our burden that matters. It is not suffering that redeems the world, but love. It is not our suffering that God wants but our love. However, love inevitably brings pain. But it also brings great joy. The Christian must not only accept suffering: he / she must make it holy. Love makes it holy. Every day I pray that these days of the Covid-19 pandemic in the world and in our country good will triumph over evil, love over hate, light over darkness, and life over death.

March 28 - April 3, 2021

Holy Week is the week before Easter Sunday, beginning seven days before with . It ends with Holy Saturday. Easter is not part of , but rather the beginning of the East- er season of the .

February Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday. On this Date day, we celebrate the triumphant entry of Our Week 1 Lord, Jesus , into , riding a don- Weekend Collec- key. On that day, the people laid palms before tion - $3,874.00 2/7/2021 Him, a gesture reserved for triumphant leaders. On-Line Giving - $615.00 We celebrate this at Mass by distributing palms to the faithful who may keep them for a time for Week 2 use as devotional objects. The palms are Weekend Collec- blessed at Mass. The faithful sometimes craft tion - $4,042.00 2/14/2021 portions of palm fronds into . Eventually, On-Line Giving - $700.00 these palms are returned to the Church where they are burned. Traditionally, their ashes are Week 3 saved and distributed at next year's Ash Weekend Collec- Wednesday services. tion - $4,003.00 2/21/2021 On-Line Giving - $760.00

Later, when Jesus entered the Temple, he an- Week 4 grily drove out the money changers who had Weekend Collec- turned the Temple court into a place of business tion - $4,851.00 2/28/2021 instead of devotion. Once the court was cleared, On-Line Giving - $245.00 Jesus began teaching the masses. Meanwhile, His enemies drew plans to kill Him.

The next major event in Holy Week is Holy Thursday. On this day, Jesus celebrated the Total feast with the disciples. We know this Weekend Collec- feast as the . This is the night He tion - $16,770.00 was betrayed by Judas and arrested. On-Line Giving - $2,320.00

$19,090.00

April 1, 2021

Holy Thursday is the commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, when he established the of Holy Communion to his arrest and . It also commemorates His institution of the priesthood. The holy day falls on the Thursday before Easter and is part of Holy Week. Jesus celebrated the dinner as a Passover feast. Christ would fulfill His role as the Chris- tian victim of the Passover for all to be saved by His final .

The Last Supper was the final meal Jesus shared with his Disciples in Jerusalem. During the meal, Jesus predicts his betrayal.

The central observance of Holy Thursday is the ritual reenactment of the Last Supper at Mass. This event is celebrated at every Mass, as party of the Liturgy of the , but it is specially commemorated on Holy Thursday.

He also establishes the special priesthood for his disciples, which is distinct from the "priesthood of all believers." Christ washed the feet of his Disciples, who would become the first priests.

This establishment of the priesthood reenacted at Mass with the priest washing the feet of sev- eral parishioners.

During the Passover meal, Jesus breaks bread and gives it to his Disciples, uttering the words, "This is my body, which is given for you." Subsequently, he passes a cup filled with wine. He then says, "This is my blood..." It is believed those who eat of Christ's flesh and blood shall have eternal life.

“View from the Pew” by George W. Reilly Test Your Knowledge Quiz - Part 2

Let’s try it again and see how well you know your Bible? Some of the questions below stump Christians everywhere, and most only get a few right. Throughout the ages, The Holy Bible has been a source of solace, comfort, and wisdom for Christians around the world. Like any good book, it has a great deal of information contained inside. Take part two of this quiz and see how much you know about this time.

1. Poor Abel never knew what hit him. How did God punish his , Cain? A - Turned him into a pillar of salt B - Killed him C - Forced him to listen to Nickelback D - Marked him and condemned him to wander 2. She should have listened. Who was turned into a pillar of salt in the book of Genesis? A - Solomon's wife B - Joe's wife C - Lot's wife D - 's wife 3. Likely the most snazzily dressed Biblical character, who had a Technicolor Dreamcoat? A – Joshua B – C - James Dean D - Jacob 4. "And God said, 'Let there be light!' " Paul (then, "Saul") encountered a great and blinding light on the road to what city? A – Damascus B – Thessalonia C – Rome D - Carthage 5. During Jesus's transfiguration, which two characters appeared alongside him? A - and Abraham B - Noah and C - Abraham and Noah D - Moses and Elijah 6. In the according to John, which apostle doubted Jesus's ? A – Barry B – Thomas C – John D - Peter 7. The Old Testament has dozens of books. Which of the following is NOT one of them? A – Leviticus B – Revelation C – Genesis D - Exodus 8. When found Jesus's empty, who said, “He is not here; for He is ris- en”? A - An B - Mary, Mother of Jesus C – Peter D - A farmer 9. Jesus said, "For truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of" what, "you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move"? A - A grain of rice B - A grain of sand C - A mustard seed D - A whale 10. Sometimes animals were not enough. Which son did God ask Abraham to sacrifice? A – Jacob B - Joshua C – Isaac D - Fred 11. From the eight (), who will be filled with the ? A - Those who hunger and thirst for B - The power-hungry C - The merciful D - Those who mourn 12. Thou shalt not get this question wrong. The Ten Commandments were revealed on what mountain? A - Mount Tabor B - Mount Ararat C - Mount Olympus D - Mount Sinai

Answers: 1-D 2-C 3-B 4-A 5-D 6-B 7-B 8-A 9-C 10-C 11-A 12-D Seven correct out of twelve is a good score.

Stay warm and focused on Lent; Easter draws very near now; it’s the home stretch.

OUR LADY OF GRACE- PARISH DIRECTORY

Church Address: 15 George Waterman Rd Johnston, RI 02919

Mailing Address: 4 Lafayette St Johnston, RI 02919

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 9 am—3:30 pm Friday-9am—Noon March Mass Schedule 2021 PARISH WEBSITE Ourladyofgraceri.org

DATE TIME NAME PARISH OFFICE

John & Joan McPhil- Reverend Peter J. Gower 1 8:00 lips 2 8:00 Joseph Gallucci [email protected]

Anthony Spremulli, 6 4:00 John Spremulli Mr. Joseph Quartino Louise Spremulli Building Superintendent Chiaramonk Mr. Jeffrey Del Gigante 8 8:00 Claire Letourneau Music Director

9 8:00 Mary Mancini Mrs. Frances DiBiasio 10 8:00 Alfred Gower Funeral Administrator (401) 231-7334 13 4:00 Mario DiDonato (401) 451-0359 Patricia Ianiero & 14 8:30 Mario Sirabella OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

10:30 Cidalia Correia Mrs. Joanne Burley, Director 15 8:00 Neva Ames [email protected] (401) 231-2220 ext 2 16 8:00 Maryann Vita Religious Education Office Hours:

17 8:00 Jesse Gomez Monday—Wednesday 9:00 am until 2:00 pm Marie Ginolfi & 20 4:00 Evelyn Castaldi Thursday Edward Heiss 9:00 am until 1:00 pm

21 8:30 Fred Zaccagnini SOCIAL MEDIA–CONNECT WITH US

Facebook 10:30 Antonio Capraro @olgri2020

Anna Schiappa & Instagram 22 8:00 Aquilino Stabile olg_ri 27 4:00 Jack DiIorio 28 8:30 Kenneth Turner 10:30 Harold Elliott 29 8:00 Maria Marraffino Gelsomina Marraffi- no 31 8:00 Helen Fowler

Good Friday - April 2, 2021

Good Friday is the day on which Catholics commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Catholics are joined by almost all other Chris- tians in solemn commemoration on this day. It is also a legal holiday around much of the world. According to the , Jesus was betrayed by Judas on the night of the Last Supper, commemorated on Holy Thursday. The morn- ing following Christ's arrest, he was brought before , a powerful Jewish cleric. Annas condemned Jesus for blasphemy for refus- ing to repudiate Annas' words that He was the . From there, Jesus was sent toPontius Pilate, the Roman governor of the province.

Pontius Pilate questioned Jesus but found no reason to condemn Him. Instead, he suggested Jewish leaders deal with Jesus according to their own law. But under Roman law, they could not execute Jesus, so they appealed to Pilate to issue the order to kill Jesus.

Pilate appealed to King Herod, who found no guilt in Jesus and sent Him back to Pilate once again. Pilate declared Jesus to be inno- cent, and washed his hands to show that he wanted nothing to do with Jesus, but the crowds were enraged. To prevent a riot and to protect his station, Pilate reluctantly agreed to execute Jesus and sentenced him to crucifixion. Jesus was convicted of proclaiming him- self to be the King of the .

Easter Sunday - April 4, 2021 Holy Day of Obligation

Easter is the celebration of Christ's resurrection from the dead. It is celebrated on Sunday, and marks the end of Holy Week, the end of Lent, the last day of the Easter Triduum (Holy Thurs- day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday), and is the beginning of the Easter season of the liturgical year.

As we know from the Gospels, Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day following his crucifixion, which would be Sunday. His resurrection marks the triumph of good over evil, and death. It is the singular event which proves that those who trust in God and accept Christ will be raised from the dead.

Since Easter represents the fulfillment of God's promises to mankind, it is the most important holiday on the Christian calendar.

In the Gospels, the precise details of the Easter narrative vary slightly, but none of these vari- ances are critical to the main story. In fact, it is argued that the variances are simply matters of style and not substance. Despite the variances, the key aspects of the Easter story all match. Above all, they agree that the tomb of Christ was indeed empty, which is the most essential fact.

Family Law, Bankruptcy & Estate Planning Jacqueline M. Grasso, Esq. GRASSO LAW OFFICES Attorney at Law 1310 Atwood Ave., Johnston licensed in ri & ma 401-946-4500 or www.grassolaw.net MICHELETTI SCITUATE HARDWARE OIL SERVICE INC. - LOCK & KEY Burner Sales & Service FULL SERVICE LOCKSMITH Thomas G. Gattone, Founder • “Woodlawn” High-Tech Oil Heat Equipment PHONE: 401-647-4900 600 Pontiac Ave, Cranston, RI Joe Micheletti 401-946-5055 Family Owned and Operated Since 1926 Commercial • Residential 987 Plainfield St., Johnston Anthony W. Hamel, LFD 4th Generation 421-0289 • www.WoodlawnGattone.com [email protected] Automotive • Locks Re-keyed Robert J. Lepore Assistant to the Director facebook.com/michelettioilRI 1381 Smith Street, North Providence Lost Keys Made P. Tasca President • Susan M. Tasca Director www.michelettioil.com 353-2400 32 Danielson Pike, North Scituate, RI

One Cherry Hill Rd. | Johnston, RI Document Shredding OPEN HOUSE Computer & Hard Drive Destruction Every Thursday 3-4pm Bob Cucino, President/CEO Live Entertainment & Refreshments 15 Green Hill Rd. • Johnston RI 401-943-0522 • www.shredngori.com 401.233.2880 | www.cherryhillbridge.com [email protected]

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