Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community
Liturgy of the Palms
March 28, 2026
Presiders: Maryal Gagnon, Seth Winners, Joan Meehan, Kathryn Shea
Readers: Jim Brandi and Jeanne Schmidt
IT: Cheryl Brandi
Theme: We Process in Joy and Stand with Determination
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93473708926?pwd=VHFKZGJ5N3ljbzZtVU1qQVRZY1lodz09
Meeting ID: 934 7370 8926
Welcome and Gathering
Maryal: Welcome to our Zoom liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus, an inclusive Catholic Community where all are welcome. Today we celebrate Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. As we gather this afternoon, let’s consider how Jesus was called to go to Jerusalem and ask ourselves how Jerusalem might be calling us.
Our time together is sacred time where we bring our collective loving energy and prayer to help heal ourselves, one another, and our hurting world. “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Seth:
Whoever you are,
Wherever you are,
Just as you are,
You are welcome at this table. (Integral Christianity by Paul Smith)
Let us begin our liturgy by expressing love through song.
Gathering Song: Jerusalem My Destiny –
https://youtu.be/mG6thyHErVc?si=MqBUY_sqnbB48J4w
Opening Prayer
Kathryn: We are grateful, O Holy One, for this opportunity to gather as Christ’s Body. During this liturgy may we endeavor to focus our minds and our hearts on our knowledge that you formed us all as one body, and that we are all supported and strengthened by the same Holy Spirit for the same purpose: the common good. We are, in the depths of our being, one community.
Blessing of the Palms
Blessing of the Palms (hold your palms up high and gently
wave them)
Maryal: Friends, let us raise our hearts and minds to the mystery of the Holy One, who is fully alive in our world, universe and us. Today, we share the excitement of the people in the holy city of Jerusalem as they welcomed Jesus so many eons ago. It is with hope we welcome the Christ recognizing that eternal and everlasting presence among us. We join in the parade of today that celebrates the ministry of Jesus and we believe that ministry will be made real today in our world, through our efforts and the efforts of all believers.
Kathryn: Sacred Spirit, you whom we call by many names, we bless these palm branches and make them holy. May we, who today hold them high, be bearers of hope as we celebrate the goodness and greatness of all humankind. May we proclaim that all is made new through our individual efforts to create a new parade, a new triumphant entry with our efforts to create the New Jerusalem. We will follow the example of Jesus’s life, his dedication to his purpose, his love for his companions on his journey, and his acceptance of his destiny in standing for justice and peace.
All: Amen
Rite of Transformation
Jim: We pause now to remember the times we have not born fruit in caring for self, others, and our planet Earth. Take a moment to recall one missed opportunity, one broken or damaged relationship. (Pause briefly and extend your hand over your heart)
Seth and ALL: I am sorry. Forgive me. I love you. Thank you.
Liturgy of the Word
Jim: First Reading: Our First Reading is Inspired by Elizabeth Johnson & Joan Chittister
Jesus comes not as a ruler on a war horse but as a servant riding a borrowed donkey.
He comes without weapons,
without wealth,
without the protection of empire.
In every age there are competing processions:
one that trusts in power,
and one that trusts in compassion.
One that builds walls,
and one that builds community.
One that silences voices,
and one that listens deeply.
Jesus chooses the path of radical tenderness.
He reveals a God who does not dominate
but accompanies; a God who does not conquer but heals; a God who stands with the vulnerable and calls us to do the same.
To follow this Jesus
is to enter the city of our world
with open hands instead of clenched fists, with courage instead of fear,
with hope instead of despair.
Today we are invited
to join his procession —
to become a people of peace,
to lay down the cloaks of privilege and power, and to walk the sacred road of justice and love. Hosanna to the One who shows us another way to live.
Jesus never wished to be a king.
These are the inspired words of Sr. Joan Chittister and Elizabeth Johnson created by Juanita Cordero
Response: Prepare ye the way of the Lord – from Godspell
https://youtu.be/c1SiaCV26aQ?si=7J8bYvl3hmbmDsP1
Jeanne: The Gospel according to Matthew 21: 1-11
As they drew near Jerusalem, entering Beth-Phage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent off two disciples with the instructions, "Go into the village straight ahead of you and you will immediately find a tethered donkey and her colt with her. Untie them and lead them back to me.
If anyone says a word to you, say, "The Rabbi needs them? Then they will let them go at once." This came about to fulfill what was said through the prophet,
"Tell the daughter of Zion, your sovereign comes to you without display riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden."
So the disciples went off and did what Jesus had ordered; they brought the donkey and the colt and laid their cloaks on them, and Jesus mounted it.
Great crowds of people spread their cloaks on the road, while some began to cut branches from the trees and lay them along the path. The crowds who went in front of Jesus and those who followed were all shouting,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Most High!
Hosanna in the highest!"
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred to its depths, demanding, "Who is this?" And the crowd kept answering, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee."
These are the inspired words of the Gospel writer, Mathew, and we affirm them by saying: ALL: Amen
Gospel Acclamation: Spirit of the Living God by Michael Crawford-video by MTStreck
https://youtu.be/xoJN0owUoWA
:
Homily Starter and Community Sharing
Communal Statement of Faith
Jim and ALL: Together let us profess our Faith.
We believe in our Creator who has not forgotten us, rather is ever and always present with us.
We believe in Jesus, the Word incarnate, who journeyed on the earth, blessing the sick, making whole the broken, healing many, instilling faith in his followers so that they may continue the work He began.
We believe in Christ, the everlasting Presence in our world in our universe.
We believe in the Spirit of Life, the breath of wisdom Sophia, who stays present and real to us during this great human struggle we face today and in the days ahead.
We believe in the communion of saints, our heavenly friends who walk with us in love as we continue our life journey.
We believe in one another and our individual and collective response to being diligent in following the directives given by medical professionals at this time.
We believe in the partnership and equality of women and men in our Church and our world. Here we live our prophetic call of Gospel equality.
We believe that kin-dom is here and now, stretched out all around us for those with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it,
and hands to make it happen.
Jeanne: We pray that the Holy One renew in our hearts our commitment to journey always in faith and hope as we reach out and support, comfort and love those closest to us, those who live in our country and all the people of the earth.
Prayers of and for the Community
Joan M: We now bring our prayer intentions to the Table, saying, “I bring to the Table…”
Our response is: May our words bring healing.
We pray for all those suffering, or will be suffering, as a result of those in charge in our government.
Response: May our words bring healing.
We pray for all who are suffering, lonely, and without faith or hope. Response: May our words bring healing.
We pray for all those living in the conditions of war and fear.
Response: May our words bring healing.
We pray for all those suffering from natural disasters throughout our world.
Response: May our words bring healing.
We pray for the intentions in our MMOJ community prayer list. (Joan shares)
Response May our words bring healing.
And, for what else should we pray?
Response: May our words bring healing.
Joan M: Holy Mystery may we respond to the needs of our sisters and brothers in loving prayer and solidarity. Amen
Eucharistic Prayer
Kathryn: Gracious Wisdom, you embrace us with your extravagant affection in our times of both blessedness and weakness. Even though we have times of doubt, we know You are always with us…you living in us and we living in you. In this festive meal, your Spirit is poured out on each of us gathered in the circle of your friends and disciples, we also ask that your Spirit be spread to those of our community who are not with us today as we sing,
Holy, Holy, Holy: Here In This Place by Christopher Grundy
https://youtu.be/sgkWXOSGmOQ
Maryal: We thank you for the gift of Jesus of Nazareth in history -- and the gift of Jesus in faith. On earth, his life burned with the vision of his mission on earth. Through the example of his life – his teachings and actions - he showed us not only how we should live, but also what was worth even dying for.
Jim: When his time on earth had come to an end, Jesus – aware of and accepting his destiny – gave us his life for the values that he deeply believed, lived and taught…his conviction that love is stronger than death. And then, in providing an example of this wisdom for all people in ages to come, he opened wide his arms…and died. And the spirit that lived in Jesus resurrected him to a new life, a promise made to all of us too who live the new story. Jesus is with us today and he will be through the end of time.
(With an outstretched arm, we pray the consecration together.
Kathryn: We remember the gift that Jesus gave us on the night before he died. He gathered with his friends to share a final Passover meal. And it was at that supper that Jesus took bread, said the blessing and shared it with them saying: take this, all of you, and eat it. This bread is you; this bread is me. We are one body, the presence of God in the world. When you do this, remember me and all that I have taught you. This is the new and everlasting covenant.
[short pause]
Maryal: In the same way, Jesus took a cup of wine, said the blessing and gave it to his friends saying: take this, all of you, and drink it. This wine is you; this wine is me. We are one blood, the presence of God in the world. When you do this, remember me and all that I have taught you. This is the new and everlasting covenant.
Kathryn: Jesus, who was with God “in the beginning of the creation of the heavens and the earth,” is with us now in this bread. The Spirit, of whom the prophets spoke in history, is with us now in this cup. Let us proclaim this mystery of faith.
Kathryn and All: Jesus has died. Christ is risen. The Divine Presence lives in us and through us in the world today.
Maryal: God, we know that you bless your church throughout the world. We, your people, ask for your grace that we may continually grow in our love and caring for Leo, our Pope, Bridget Mary, our Bishop and for everyone with whom we come in contact, especially those who live on the margins of church and society. They are all our brothers and sisters, members of your Blessed Family. We remember also all those, living and dead, who touched our lives and left their footprints on our hearts. We remember especially….(mention names here, if you would like to..)
Maryal and All: We believe that the Spirit of God is at work in and among us and will do more than we could ever ask or imagine. We believe that it is through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, Creator God, forever and ever.
COMMUNION RITE
The Prayer of Jesus
Jeanne: Let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Jeanne and All:
Holy One beyond all names
Eternal Wellspring
May love rise again in us today
With food for every table
Shelter for every family
And reverence for every life.
Forgive us our failings in love
And free us from all falseness
That the light of our souls may shine
And the strength of our spirits endure
For Earth and all its people
This day, tonight, and forever.
Amen
-John Philip Newell
Sign of Peace:
Kathryn: Eternal wellspring of peace-
May we be drenched with the longing for peace
That we may give ourselves over
As the earth to the rain, to the dew,
Until peace overflows our lives
As living waters overflow the seas. (Marcia Falk)
Seth: Jesus said to his disciples, “My peace I leave you. My peace I give you.” Let us now extend a sign of peace to one another as we say, “Namaste, Namaste, Namaste.”
Maryal: Please join in praying the Litany for the Breaking of the Bread:
Maryal and All: Holy One, You call us to speak truth to power; we will do so.
Holy One, You call us to live the Gospel of healing and justice; we will do so.
Holy One, You call us to be Your presence in the world; we will do so.
Kathryn: This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Blessed are we who are called to Christ’s table.
Kathryn: Please receive/share Eucharist now, saying: “You are the bread of life.” And “You are the cup of compassion.”
Communion Song: Hosanna Palm Sunday Maranatha
https://youtu.be/YApEIjvE6S4
Introductions/Thanksgiving/Announcements
Closing Community Blessing
Kathryn and ALL: With hand extended in prayer:
Peace before us, Peace behind us, Peace under our feet
Peace within us, Peace over us, Let all around us be Peace.
Love before us, Love behind us, Love under our feet
Love within us, Love over us, Let all around us be Love.
Christ before us, Christ behind us, Christ under our feet,
Christ within us, Christ over us, Let all around us be Christ!
Maryal: Go in the peace of Christ. Let us bring God’s reign of peace and compassion to all those we meet. All: Thanks be to God.
Closing Song: The Light That is You by Debbie Nargi Brown (video created by Mary Theresa Streck)
https://youtu.be/0ZwfhGS4q9U?si=BctI4B7128PXTJLB
If you would like to add your intercession to our MMOJ Community Prayers book,
Please send an email to jmeehan515@aol.com
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