Mission & Religious Education News
Understanding Palm Sunday and Holy Week
Holy Week commences on Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, serving as a prelude that intertwines the celebration of Christ's triumphant arrival and the foreshadowing of His Passion. The Palm Sunday liturgy acts as the formal gateway into Holy Week, merging the joyous reception of Jesus in Jerusalem with the somber narrative of His Passion, symbolised by the contrast between "Hosanna" and "Crucify him!" .
The Significance of Palm Sunday
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem heralded the advent of the kingdom, which the King-Messiah would bring about through His Death and Resurrection during Passover. The Church's liturgy solemnly marks the beginning of Holy Week with the celebration of this entry on Palm Sunday. Indeed, Palm Sunday is "the great doorway leading into Holy Week," marking the start of the Lord Jesus' journey towards the culmination of His earthly existence.
The Journey Through Holy Week
Palm Sunday initiates the week recognised as "holy" because it commemorates the key events of our redemption. The texts for the Palm Sunday procession are drawn from the Synoptic Gospels, recounting the Lord's solemn entry into Jerusalem, while the Mass includes the reading of the Lord's Passion.
A Time for Faith and Reflection
While various local customs and traditions draw people into the events of Jesus’ final days, the Church hopes to deepen our faith during Holy Week, not just stir our emotions. As Lent concludes, we prepare to live the most important days for our faith with fervor, reinforcing our commitment to follow Christ, the Redeemer of humanity, with greater fidelity .
Wishing You a Blessed Holiday
As you head into a well deserved holiday break, you may like to keep palms and olive branches at home as a testament to faith in Jesus Christ, the messianic king, and in His Paschal Victory. In the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week, we do not simply commemorate what Jesus did, but are immersed in the Paschal Mystery itself, dying and rising with Christ. Have a great holiday, rest, revive and renew!
Long Walk for Water
Armidale Catholic Schools has registered a team for Caritas Australia’s Long Walk For Water. If you would like to sign up, please use our team link and sign up through the “Join My Team” button!
New Staff Induction
New Staff to our schools and system are required to attend an induction day in Armidale. There are 2 upcoming dates throughout the year to ease the burden for schools with a number of new staff and to cater for those that join the diocese later. To register for these days, please liaise with your leadership team and complete THIS REGISTRATION FORM.
The dates for 2025 are:
- September 4
- October 23
Upcoming Important Church Calendar Days
April
Fri 11 - Commemoration of Saint Stanislaus
Sun 13 - Palm Sunday
Mon 14 - Monday of Holy Week
Tue 15 - Tuesday of Holy Week
Wed 16 - Wednesday of Holy Week
Thu 17 - Maundy Thursday
Fri 18 - Good Friday
Sat 19 - Holy Saturday
Sun 20 - Easter Sunday
Mon 21 - Easter Monday
Tue 22 - Easter Tuesday
Wed 23 - Easter Wednesday
Thu 24 - Easter Thursday
Fri 25 - Easter Friday
Sat 26 - Easter Saturday
Sun 27 - Divine Mercy Sunday (2nd Sunday of Easter)
Mon 28 - Saint Peter Chanel
Tue 29 - Saint Catherine of Siena
Wed 30 - Saint Pius V