The following presentation is made possible by the generosity of the viewers of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago.

Good morning, and welcome to Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Today, we celebrate Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord.

My name is Dan Riley, and I’m joined by Kristen Lynch and Patrick Holland. Our celebrant today is Father Greg Sakowicz, rector of Holy Name Cathedral, and our congregation is from St. Mary of the Woods.

(singing).

Good morning.

Good morning.

Our Holy Week has begun. We begin our prayers, we begin all things in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit.

Our God is loving, compassionate, forgiving. We are sinners. We take a moment of silence and ask forgiveness and the Lord’s compassion.

(silence).

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting light.

Amen.

And, together, let us pray.

Through the passion of your only begotten Son, O Lord, may our reconciliation with you be near at hand, so that, though we do not merit it by our own deeds, yet by this sacrifice made once and for all, we may feel already the effects of your mercy and love through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.

The Lord has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear, and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.

The Lord God is my help, therefore, I am not disgraced. I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to blame.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

(singing).

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians.

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

(singing).

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

Glory to you, O Lord.

The elders of the people, chief priests, and scribes arose and brought Jesus before Pilate. They brought charges against him, saying, “We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Christ, a king.” Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He said to him in reply,

“You say so.”

Pilate then addressed the chief priest and the crowds, “I find this man not guilty.” But, they were adamant and said, “He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here.”

On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; and upon learning that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been waiting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer. The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly. Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate.

Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly. Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people and said to them, “You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him, nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So, no capital crime has been committed by him. Therefore, I shall have him flogged and then release him.”

But, all together they shouted out, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us.” Now, Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder. Again, Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus, but they continued their shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Pilate addressed them a third time, “What evil has this man done? I find him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore, I shall have him flogged and then release him.” With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. So, he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished.

As they led him away, they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus.

A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said,

“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ At that time, people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ for if these things are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Now, two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed.

When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him, there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Now, one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him,

“Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

It was now about noon and darkness came across the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice,

“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit!” And, when he had said this, breathed his last.

The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, “This was innocent beyond doubt.” When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts; but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Holy Week has begun. The Way of the Cross of Jesus has started. Remember this, no one can go back and start a new beginning, but, starting today, we can make a new ending.

[inaudible 00:13:23] family of God, our profession of faith.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

Amen.

With confidence, faith, and joy, we bring the Lord our needs, our prayers, our very lives.

A response to each prayer will be, “Lord hear our prayer.”

For our Holy Father and church leaders, may God’s grace be with them as they lead us through this Holy Week and upcoming Easter season, we pray to the Lord.

Lord hear our prayer.

For all who take up their cross as followers of Christ, we pray to the Lord.

Lord hear our prayer.

For Mercy Home’s children that they find hope in the resurrection this Easter Sunday, we pray to the Lord.

Lord hear our prayer.

For those who have died that we may be mindful that they have been called home to God and are now at rest, we pray to the Lord.

Lord hear our prayer.

Loving God, we ask for in faith, you attend without fail always through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

And, stand and pray my sisters and brothers that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the Father, the Almighty.

May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, praise the glory of his name, for our good and the good of all of his Church.

Amen.

Through the passion of your only begotten Son, O Lord, may our reconciliation with him be near. We ask all this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.

It is right and just.

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and ever we’re to give you thanks. Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God, for though innocent, he suffered willingly for sinners and accepted unjust condemnation to save the guilty. His death has washed away our sins. His resurrection has purchased our justification, and so with all the choirs of angels in heaven, we proclaim your glory as we then together sing.

(singing).

You are indeed holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness. Make holy, therefore, these gifts we pray, by sending down your spirit upon them like the dewfall that they may become for us the Body and Blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion, Jesus took bread and, giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to the disciples saying, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it: for this is my body which will be given up for you.”

When supper was ended, he took a chalice and, once again giving thanks, gave it to the disciples saying, “Take this, all of you, and drink from it: for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.”

The mystery of faith.

(singing).

Therefore, as we celebrate the moral of his life, death, and resurrection, we offer you, Lord, the bread of life and the chalice of salvation. Giving thanks, you’ve held us worthy to be in your presence and minister to you. Humbly, we pray, that partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world and bring her to the fullness of charity together with Francis, our Pope, Blase, our bishop, for the bishops, clergy, religious brothers and sisters, and all who serve in your faith communities.

Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection and all who have died in your mercy; welcome them into the light of your face. Have mercy on us all. We pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, blessed Joseph, her Spouse, for the blessed Apostles, and all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages, we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life, and may praise and glorify you through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through Him, with Him, and in Him, O God, Almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.

(singing.)

With confidence, faith, and joy, as God’s family, we pray.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil. Grant peace in our days, that by the help of your mercy, you’re always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await in blessed hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.

May the Peace of the Lord be with all of you.

And with your spirit.

[inaudible 00:23:37] the Lord’s peace and joy with those around us. We pray in this liturgy alone from all of us here in Mercy Home for Boys and Girls to each and every one of you, God’s blessings, peace, and joy especially as you begin Holy Week.

Peace be with you.

(singing).

Behold the Lamb of God, behold him, who takes away the sins of the world. Bless those called to supper of the Lamb.

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.

For those of you at home, please turn to page six in your Sunday Mass guide and join us in singing our Communion hymn, Jesus Christ, Bread of Life.

(singing).

Together we have the prayer for the children of Mercy Home.

Our Lady of Mercy, we pray that you will guide, protect, and bless all boys and girls who this day have a home called Mercy that they find the Father’s mercy as we offer them our hearts in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. May they see God’s mercy in action through our love, prayers, and sacrifices.

Together, let us pray.

Nourished with these sacred [inaudible 00:26:56], we humbly beseech you, O Lord, that justice through the death of your Son, you have brought us hope for what we believe, so by his resurrection you may lead us to where you have called through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit.

May the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit descend upon all of us for ever and ever.

Amen.

Our celebration has ended. Our Holy Week has begun. We go in peace.

Thanks be to God.

(singing).

Folks in my ministry, this is one of my favorite things to do is to gather with you and to pray with you on Sunday mornings. It’s a great opportunity to bring the prayer of the Church to those who can’t get to their home parishes because of illness.

Thank you for your prayers and thank you for your support. Not only do you support the TV mass, but you support also over 600 young people who are entrusted to our daily care here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.

We need your prayers. We need your support. Thank you and may God bless you.

The People’s Mass Book is provided by the J.S. Paluch Company. Flowers provided by Anton’s Greenhouse, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.