St. Paul Chong Hasang Bulletin

The King Who Rides a Donkey

Palm Sunday Year A remembers the day Jesus came into Jerusalem as a humble king. Crowds welcomed him with palm branches and shouts of praise. They called him the Son of David, showing they believed he was the promised Messiah. Yet, the week ahead would bring both joy and deep sorrow.

This day marks the beginning of Holy Week. It is a time to walk with Jesus in his final days before the cross. Palm Sunday Year A invites us to see the contrast between the cheers of the crowd and the suffering that is to come.

We hold palm branches to remember that Jesus’ kingdom is built on peace and service. His way is different from the world’s idea of power. As we reflect on this day, we are called to follow him in humility and love.

• Procession – Matthew 21:1-11: Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where he rode on a donkey and was greeted by crowds of people who praised him as the Son of David and King of Israel.
• First Reading – Isaiah 50:4-7: The prophet Isaiah speaks of a servant of God who is a skilled teacher and obedient to God’s will, even in the face of persecution and suffering. The servant trusts in God’s protection and ultimately prevails over his oppressors.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 22: This psalm describes the anguish of a suffering individual who feels abandoned by God and is mocked and persecuted by others. Despite this, the speaker expresses trust in God’s ultimate protection and proclaims God’s glory to others.
• Second Reading – Philippians 2:6-11: This passage describes the selfless humility of Jesus Christ, who, despite being divine, chose to become human and submit to a humiliating death on a cross. As a result of his obedience, God exalted him and gave him a name above all others, that every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
• Gospel – Matthew 26:14 – 27:66: The Passion reading describes the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and death. It includes Jesus’ betrayal by Judas Iscariot, his arrest and trial before the high priest, his denial by Peter, his sentencing by Pilate, his crucifixion and death, and his burial in a tomb.

Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?

(Acts 2:8)

We are pleased to welcome Bishop John Baptist Jung Shin-chul (정신철 세례자 요한) of the Diocese of Incheon, who will be celebrating Mass with our parish community. We warmly invite all parishioners to join in prayer and participation.

Mass Schedule:

• Weekday Masses: April 15–17 (Wednesday–Friday)

• Saturday Morning Mass: April 18 at 10 AM

• Sunday Combined Mass: April 19 at 10:30 AM

Please note:

• The Saturday Vigil Mass (April 18 at 5PM) and

• The Sunday 7 AM Mass (April 19)

will be celebrated by our parish pastor.

The Stations of the Cross will be held on the following dates:

Friday, March 27 at 7 PM – Sr. Anna & Sr. Rosa

Friday, April 3 at 3 PM – Father – Michael

Holy Thursday: April 2 at 8:00 PM

A collection will be taken to support those in need.

Good Friday: April 3 at 8:00 PM

A collection will be taken for the support of the Holy Land (Jerusalem).

Easter Vigil: April 4 at 8:00 PM

Please join us for the solemn celebration of the Paschal Vigil.

Easter Sunday: April 5 at 7 AM &11 AM

*Please note: There will be no 10:30 AM English Mass on Easter Sunday.

We will collect the Lenten Rice Bowls (organized by Catholic Relief Services) on Easter Sunday.

Collection Date: April 5 (Easter Sunday)

An Easter Egg Hunt will take place following the Easter Joint Mass on April 5 in the church backyard. A variety of fun activities for children will also be available, so we encourage families to join and enjoy the celebration together.

*Egg sandwiches will be prepared for all parishioners, courtesy of the Parish Council.

Date: April 5, following the 11 AM Korean/English Joint Mass

Location: Church backyard (Gym n case of rain)

Dear CCD & YG Family,
As Father Michael mentioned during Mass, our annual Easter Egg Hunt will be on Sunday, April 5, after the joint Mass! It’s always such a fun day for the kids, and we can’t make it happen without your help.
Even a little bit of your time can make a big difference: whether it’s hiding eggs, helping set up, or guiding the children. Together, we can give our kids sweet, joyful memories and share the love and happiness of Easter with them.

If you’re able to help, please sign up:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4CA9AD23A5FEC70-62675673-easter

Thank you so much for all that you do.
We can’t wait to celebrate Easter with you and the kids! ^^
*If you still have clean, empty plastic eggs from last year, please bring them to church so we can reuse them.

The Youth Group will be holding a joint event with St. Andrew Kim Parish on Saturday, March 28.

Event: Youth Group Mini Olympics

Location: St. Andrew Kim Parish & Elk Grove Pavilion

Schedule:

9–11 AM : Volleyball

11:30 AM–12:30 PM : Lunch

12:30–1:30 PM : Icebreakers & Games

1:45–3:45 PM : Flag Football

3:45–4 PM: Break & Snacks

4–5 PM: Praise

The St. Paul Chong Ha Sang Vocation Group is excited to share information about the Totus Tuus summer program offered by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The Totus Tuus program aims to inspire young people to long for holiness, develop a deep desire for conversion and personally renew their faith with a stronger prayer life. Totus Tuus uses sacred scripture and the catechism of the Catholic Church to instill the faith of the Church in the hearts and minds of young people.

For more information, please visit:

https://vocations.archchicago.org/totus-tuus/host-parish-sites

Photos by CCD Director Caritas Yoon

Photos Provided by YG PTO

<YG> Lock-in

Date: Friday-Saturday, April 10–11

<CCD/YG> Easter (Joint Mass)

Date: Sunday, April 5 at 11AM
*Easter Egg Hunt will follow the 11 AM joint Mass.

<CCD> First Communion Family Retreat

Date: Sunday, April 12 at 12:45~3:30 PM

<CCD> First Communion Mass

Date: Sunday, April 26 at 10:30–11:30 AM

Reception: 11:30 AM–2:00 PM

+Praise Be Jesus

Beautiful fall is deepening, and the change of season, with its large temperature variations, has begun. We pray that all CCD families stay healthy.

The children are learning God's word from the teachers in CCD and getting along well with their friends.

We would like to provide guidance regarding the reading (lector) volunteer service during Mass. The children who have participated in the reading service so far have done very well, and we thank them. We will need more reading volunteers going forward.

All children who have received their First Holy Communion can participate in the reading volunteer service.

We would like to provide guidance on the methods for reading volunteer service, especially for children who want to participate in reading volunteer service but don't know how.

1. CCD Reading (Lector) Volunteer Method

- Children who wish to volunteer for reading (lector) should use the following link to apply for the reading volunteer service.

2025-2026 Reading Volunteer Signup Link : https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45ABA829A2FFC25-57901605-liturgy#/

- Please practice by reading aloud the assigned reading material (First Reading or Second Reading) that the CCD PTO Team sent to you in advance at home.

- Please come to the church by 10:15 on Sunday and practice reading your assigned reading material at the sanctuary's lectern.

- During the 10:30 Mass, please participate by sitting in the very front pew on the center-left side of the sanctuary (the lector's seat).

- When it is your turn to read during the Mass, you will read your assigned reading material at the lectern.

Since the children can practice reading in advance, they can reduce their fear of reading in front of many people. Also, we will help the children practice reading at the lectern before Mass.

Please help the children to participate a lot in the reading volunteer service.

2. CCD Reading (Lector) Volunteer Encouragement and Rewards

Our CCD would like to encourage more students to volunteer for mass reading.

In order for the CCD teachers to provide positive reinforcement and encouragement in the classroom, they will offer praise to that day's reading (lector) volunteers during class time.

And, our CCD will reward all students who volunteer for mass reading.

In order to keep track of those who have volunteered for mass reading, after Mass, volunteers should talk to Sister Rosa in the sacristy and they should sign their name next to the date of service in the reading (lector) volunteer notebook, and Sister Rosa will then sign next to their names. The priest will verify these records and give awards to those who read during Mass on the last day of the first semester (December) and the last day of the second semester (May).

Please strongly encourage the children to join the reading volunteer service!

Thank you for your help.

-St. Paul Chong Ha Sang CCD PTO Team-

The registration fee is $140.

CCD: https://forms.gle/599LgJ9nfWkizEk76
YG: https://forms.gle/4MEF2YmmFsMyu4Zn6

To keep things running smoothly during Mass, please try to sit toward the inside of the pews. This will make it easier for latecomers to find their seats. We really appreciate your help!

<Weekday Mass Update>

Please note the following temporary changes to the weekday Mass schedule:

• The Tuesday Mass on March 31 will also be held at 10AM, as our parish priest will be attending the Chrism Mass.

<2025–2026 Bulletin Advertisement Sign-Up>

Thank you to all who support our parish bulletin.

Those wishing to renew or place a new ad are asked to submit a request to the parish office.

Ad Period: Easter 2026 – Palm Sunday 2026

Ad Fee: 1 space $250 | 2 spaces $450

<Young Adult Group Meeting>

The Young Adult group meets every Saturday after Mass.

Please invite any young adults you know to join!