You will be missing something if you don’t . . .
Connect your experience of the cross with that of Jesus. It will be tempting over the course of this week to simply think of the last supper, his way of the cross, his suffering and his death, and ultimately his resurrection as historical events that happened 2000 years ago. It could be comfortable to relegate what Jesus went through as simply a spiritual battle he had to endure out of obedience so that he could gain for us spiritual freedom. It could be personally gratifying to think that what Jesus went through was all about you, something he did to free you from sins over which you have no control.
Instead, I believe the invitation is to live the events of Holy Week—the Palm Sunday Mass, the Mass of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, the way of the cross and the adoration of the cross on Good Friday—as opening up new ways to help us understand the times we live in now. Jesus’ death was not only a battle for our spiritual souls, but it was also a battle with the real times in which he lived. There were real political and religious currents with which Jesus ran afoul, there were unjust rules against which Jesus preached and taught, there were prohibited actions which Jesus performed (healing on a sabbath). We have to see Jesus as not just engaged in a spiritual battle but also in a battle with the injustices of his times. It was these religious and political currents which ultimately brought about his demise—his death—which ultimately gained for us a spiritual victory.
My greatest worry as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe is that we will walk away from Sunday masses thinking “that was nice,” but in no way connecting us with the call and obligation to do justice in this world, to fight unjust systems, to speak out against untruths. The real times in which we live find the majority of our members feeling afraid of being detained or deported, and why? Simply because they have felt called to pursue the American dream of providing for their families. We are missing something if we do not tie the events of this week to our own crosses, and our own call to do what Jesus did. In our times. Now.
Instead, I believe the invitation is to live the events of Holy Week—the Palm Sunday Mass, the Mass of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, the way of the cross and the adoration of the cross on Good Friday—as opening up new ways to help us understand the times we live in now. Jesus’ death was not only a battle for our spiritual souls, but it was also a battle with the real times in which he lived. There were real political and religious currents with which Jesus ran afoul, there were unjust rules against which Jesus preached and taught, there were prohibited actions which Jesus performed (healing on a sabbath). We have to see Jesus as not just engaged in a spiritual battle but also in a battle with the injustices of his times. It was these religious and political currents which ultimately brought about his demise—his death—which ultimately gained for us a spiritual victory.
My greatest worry as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe is that we will walk away from Sunday masses thinking “that was nice,” but in no way connecting us with the call and obligation to do justice in this world, to fight unjust systems, to speak out against untruths. The real times in which we live find the majority of our members feeling afraid of being detained or deported, and why? Simply because they have felt called to pursue the American dream of providing for their families. We are missing something if we do not tie the events of this week to our own crosses, and our own call to do what Jesus did. In our times. Now.
Confessions
No confessions will be scheduled from Thursday, March 26 to April 14. Confessions on their normal schedule will begin again on Tuesday, April 14, at 4:30pm.
Palm Sunday Celebrations at Chicano Park
This year we will be celebrating two Palm Sunday masses on Sunday, March 29 at Chicano Park at the 10:30am and 12:30pm masses. Blessings of the Palms will take place in playground of the school at 10 am and 12 pm, after which we will process through the alleyway over the pedestrian bridge to Chicano Park to celebrate the Eucharist. Please follow instructions from our ushers and security team by obeying traffic signals. Those who are unable to make the walk can meet us at Chicano Park. There will be chairs set up at the park for mass.
Holy Thursday Procession
At the end of the celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, there will be a Eucharistic procession from the church to the Altar of Repose in the Parish Hall. Please follow instructions from our ushers and security team. Those who are unable to make the walk can meet us at the Parish Hall.
Viacrucis en Vivo
Live reenactment of the stations of the cross will begin at 12pm on Friday, April 3 at Chicano Park on the Bay (1449 Cesar E. Chavez Parkway), concluding in front of the church. Please follow instructions from our ushers and security team.
Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord
6pm Friday, April 3 inside the church.
Pésame a la Virgen
At the conclusion of the 6pm Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord, we will accompany Jesus to his burial site. After which, those wishing to accompany Our Mother in her sorrows can head back into the church to participate in the Pésame a la Virgen.
No confessions will be scheduled from Thursday, March 26 to April 14. Confessions on their normal schedule will begin again on Tuesday, April 14, at 4:30pm.
Palm Sunday Celebrations at Chicano Park
This year we will be celebrating two Palm Sunday masses on Sunday, March 29 at Chicano Park at the 10:30am and 12:30pm masses. Blessings of the Palms will take place in playground of the school at 10 am and 12 pm, after which we will process through the alleyway over the pedestrian bridge to Chicano Park to celebrate the Eucharist. Please follow instructions from our ushers and security team by obeying traffic signals. Those who are unable to make the walk can meet us at Chicano Park. There will be chairs set up at the park for mass.
Holy Thursday Procession
At the end of the celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, there will be a Eucharistic procession from the church to the Altar of Repose in the Parish Hall. Please follow instructions from our ushers and security team. Those who are unable to make the walk can meet us at the Parish Hall.
Viacrucis en Vivo
Live reenactment of the stations of the cross will begin at 12pm on Friday, April 3 at Chicano Park on the Bay (1449 Cesar E. Chavez Parkway), concluding in front of the church. Please follow instructions from our ushers and security team.
Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord
6pm Friday, April 3 inside the church.
Pésame a la Virgen
At the conclusion of the 6pm Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord, we will accompany Jesus to his burial site. After which, those wishing to accompany Our Mother in her sorrows can head back into the church to participate in the Pésame a la Virgen.
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Thank you for your ongoing support!
Report Sexual Misconduct Allegations
The Diocese of San Diego takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and addresses them promptly, confidentially, and with integrity. To report any incident of sexual misconduct, please contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator.
Criminal abuse that is reported or suspected is reported to law enforcement in accordance with civil law.
Criminal abuse that is reported or suspected is reported to law enforcement in accordance with civil law.