"Holy Week" begins with Palm Sunday service; Archbishop Listecki explains its significance



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Christians gathered in Vatican City Sunday, March 29th to join in the Palm Sunday Mass led by Pope Francis. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' procession into Jerusalem. Crowds waved palm branches days before Jesus' death and resurrection. In Milwaukee, Archbishop Jerome Listecki delivered a special Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist -- explaining why Palm Sunday is so important.

"Today is most significant time for the liturgical year for the church," Archbishop Listecki said.

Palm Sunday marks the start of "Holy Week" -- the final days of Lent for Catholics and others.

"This is the time where we follow the passion, the death and resurrection of Christ," Archbishop Listecki said.

As parishioners held palms, Listecki explained that this is a time to celebrate Christ's triumphant entrance into Jerusalem.

"We begin with kind of a sense of the joyfulness of Christ, but within a very short period of time, the turning on Christ and his condemnation and death on the cross," Archbishop Listecki said.

It is only through embracing the cross that the resurrection is understood. As "Holy Week" continues, Listecki says it's important the faithful attend as many services as possible.

"Each of the days represents, if you want, a continuous action of following Christ from the upper room. On Holy Thursday right though the suffering on the cross on Good Friday to the glorious resurrection on Easter Saturday -- the Easter vigil, which is a celebration of the empty tomb and resurrection of Christ," Archbishop Listecki said.

During "Holy Week," Listecki says it's crucial to integrate spirituality into one's life and contemplate God's love for us.

"Think in terms of a God that so loves us he becomes one with us and enters into every aspect of our life, our suffering, our death -- everything Christ identified with us except for sin. Therefore by doing that it's a statement that God is never apart from us in everything we experience in life," Archbishop Listecki said.
















Parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee will celebrate Holy Week beginning March 29th through April 5th, 2015. Below are the Holy Week schedules for Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki and Bishop Emeritus Richard J. Sklba:
























































































Archbishop Listecki
Palm Sunday, March 29 Mass, Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee. Mass also broadcast on Relevant Radio 100.1 FM, 1640 AM, and live streamed at www.stjohncathedral.org.      7:45 a.m.
Tuesday, March 31 Mass of Chrism, Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee      7:30 p.m.
Holy Thursday, April 2 Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee      7 p.m.
Good Friday, April 3 Stations of the Cross, Basilica Holy Hill, Hubertus      9:30 a.m.
Good Friday Service, Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee      12:15 p.m.
Via Crucis (Latino Stations of the Cross), St. Hyacinth Parish, Milwaukee      2:45 p.m.
Holy Saturday, April 4 Easter Vigil, Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee      8 p.m.
Easter, April 5 Mass, Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee
Mass also broadcast on Relevant Radio 100.1 FM, 1640 AM, and live streamed at www.stjohncathedral.org.
     7:45 a.m.
Bishop Emeritus Sklba
Tuesday, March 31 Chrism Mass, Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee      7:30 p.m.
Good Friday, April 3 Good Friday Service, Three Holy Women (St. Hedwig Site), Milwaukee      1 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 5 Mass, Three Holy Women
(St. Rita Site), Milwaukee
     10:30 a.m.



 













Homebound Catholics unable to attend Palm Sunday or Easter Mass at their parish this year may tune in to one of the following stations for a full, eager and enthusiastic congregation. Please note: For those who can get to church, the TV/radio liturgy will not meet Sunday Mass obligation.Palm Sunday, March 29
The Big 920 AM, 7:45 a.m.
Relevant Radio -100.1 FM, 1640 AM, 9 a.m.
WCGV-TV, channel 24, 9 a.m.
WITI-TV, channel 6, 5:30 a.m.Easter Sunday, April 5
The Big 920 AM, 7:45 a.m.
Relevant Radio - 100.1 FM, 1640 AM, 9 a.m.
WCGV-TV, channel 24, 9 a.m.
WITI-TV, channel 6, 5:30 a.m.

To locate Holy Week liturgies and Easter Masses, visit www.archmil.org and click on “Find a Parish."