Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

March 29, 2026

GOSPEL MEDITATION

Just prior to this week’s Passion narrative in St. Matthew’s Gospel, there is a small, striking story describing a woman’s scandalous action toward Jesus: “A woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of costly perfumed oil, and poured it on his head” (Matthew 26:7). The ointment was pure nard, worth more than 300 denarii. A year’s wages. Maybe a dowry, maybe a family inheritance. In any case, she breaks it. She does not measure or ration. She pours it all out, irreversibly, over Jesus. Why does this image begin Holy Week?

Because what she does with the jar, Jesus will soon do with his life. The jar must be broken so the fragrance can be released. Jesus’ body will be broken so his priceless divine and human love can be poured out. She gives everything, just as he is about to give everything. And He sees it: “She has done a good thing for me” (Matthew 26:10). Her act is lavish, impractical, scandalous in its apparent wastefulness. And he loves it. It is what Holy Week is all about.

What jar are you still holding onto? Your time? Your comfort? Your plan for how life should go? Don’t just wave palms today. Let yourself be broken open so your love, too, can be poured out.

Lenten Challenge: Offer something costly to Jesus this Holy Week — not out of guilt, but love. Your attention. Your forgiveness. Your time. Break the jar. Trust that nothing poured out for him is ever wasted.
- Father John Muir

PRO-LIFE CORNER

“Reproductive rights’ has long been a euphemism for destroying human life in the womb… A phrase that sounds like empowerment is really only code for the subjugation of preborn children.”
- Lila Rose, founder and president of the pro-life group Live Action

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP

We begin this Holy Week with the reading of the Lord’s Passion from the Gospel of Matthew. It is fitting that we Christian stewards focus our minds and hearts intensely this week on the steps of our Brother and Savior as He laid down His very life for us.

Throughout this story, there are several small acts of stewardship by those who encountered Jesus during this most eventful week. Each of these were simple acts of good stewardship, yet God used them in mighty ways. God invites each of us, too, to cooperate with Him in small ways through the sharing of our time, talents and material gifts. Small gifts can become mighty deeds when placed in God’s service.

A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE

The cruel death of Jesus tells us bad things can and do happen to very good people. It also tells us God is present during the suffering. Bad things happen but God does not abandon us.
- Bud Ozar

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are inviting all youth and adults who would like to be trained for service as an altar server, lector or Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, especially for the 12noon mass. Please contact the parish office at 814-943-8553 if you are interested and a training session will be scheduled for you.

Prayer Requests

Kathy Ansman, Mark Blackie, Rod Baronner, Dan Bauer, Dave Bauer, Jack Chilcote, Harry Chirdon, Karen Claar, Brandon Conaway, Shirley Conlon, Denise Conrad, James Conrad, Kathy Corl, William Costlow, Joe DeGennaro Jr., Colette DiMemmo, Margaret Dodson, Tim Dodson, Joan Donnelly, Matthew Dorman, Nate Dorman, Amelia Doughurty, Lois Duncan, Thomas Duncan, Paul Dunmire, Ashley Eagen, Corinda Ermin, Roberta Farabaugh, Herman Frederick, Pat Harpster, Leighton Hess, Lucy Horton, Raymond Kargo, Carol Keagy, Russell Keith, John Kleine, Ruth Lamca, Cyndi Lansberry, Beth Lloyd, Joan Maier, Charles McGrain, Shirley McIntyre, Mason Wayne McManus, Paul Angelo Morelli, Bev Mueller, Bonnie Neal, Jessica Neff, Lee Neff, Kevin O'Rourke, Lucille Parker, Sarah Rihnovich, Nancy Servello, Elizabeth Siglow, Laura Snyder, Bill stauffer, Alex Walter, Margo Wascherl, Joan Weston, Renee Williams, Mikayla Yanchik, Pat Zeak.

If you would like to add a sick or hospitalized person to our prayer list or readd a person, please call the rectory office, at 943-8553. Parishioners of Saint Mary are encouraged and welcome to participate. Remember, you must have the permission of the ill person/family to publish their name.

Sacred Heart Church