Today's gospels (yes, there are two!) present an amazing contrast of emotions.

We open with Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem where the crowds welcome him with palm branches and shouts of 'hosanna' (save us). The Son of David enters his capital city in peace, riding on the back of a young donkey to the adulation of the people. Just a little later, we hear of the drastic reversal that happened just five days later. Jesus is betrayed, arrested, tried, executed, and buried.

There are many people mentioned in the Scriptures during Jesus' last hours: the Pharisees and members of the Sanhedrin, plotting to destroy Jesus and His influence with the people, Judas who betrays Jesus, and His closest followers who scatter when He is arrested. Later, Peter will appear in the courtyard, three times denying he ever knew Jesus. Also Pilate, who bows under pressure to do something he really doesn't want to do, convicting an innocent man to death anyway to placate the crowds. There is Herod, curious to meet the Man who he has heard so much about, but not finding Who he expected and turning Him away. There are the soldiers who do the actual act of crucifying Jesus and the two others, torturing and mocking Him before they take him to the hill. We know of Simon of Cyrene who helped carry the cross. Finally, there are the women who followed Him and stood at a distance, watching all of this with horror. Among them are St. John, the beloved disciple, who stood with Mary at the foot of the cross when the sword of sorrow pierced her soul.

But there is one Person Who we rarely think of in this story: God the Father. When I discovered the drawing St. John of the Cross had made of the crucifixion with the Father's perspective watching from above (see image above), and the painting Salvador Dali made when he was inspired by this simple drawing, it opened a whole different way for me to look at the crucifixion. Thinking about the Father, receiving the sacrifice of the Son for our sake, watching as His Only Begotten Son dies on the cross emphasizes not only the love the Son has for us, but also the Father's immense love for us as well. Abraham stayed sacrificing his only son on the wood of the altar at the angel's command, but the Father loved us so much, He let His Son offer His life for us!

But this is not the end. Jesus doesn't remain in the tomb, for on Easter, Jesus rose to new life again, conquering death and sin.

This Holy week, join Him on this journey to new life; experience how much God loves you!

-Deacon Mike Powers

Click here for the video and then color the activity on this page. The activity is a Palm Leaf that the kids can color and cut out. There are different people to pray for on each part of the leaf. They can choose a different person each day this week to pray for.

For more information please contact Kay Mottaz at [email protected] or call 651.842.6022. Training will be provided.

April 24th, the Second Sunday of Easter, will be a day of celebration, prayer, and reflection on the gift of mercy the Lord has given to us freely and heartily. All are invited to join the celebration at St. Jerome's Day of Mercy from 1:30-5:30pm. Our own Father Peter will be giving a reflection at 1:45pm. It will be an afternoon to reflect on, give praise to, avail with the sacrament of reconciliation, and gather to celebrate the Eucharist.

Let us celebrate the gift of mercy!

Join us for Ham Bingo in the Presentation of Mary School Gym tonight! The School Advisory Commission (SAC) will have hot dogs, popcorn, chips, candy, and beverages available for purchase beginning at 6pm, and the Presentation of Mary Men's Club will be providing 12 hams to be given away as door prizes throughout the evening. Come try your luck at winning your Easter ham!

Want a coupon for a couple extra bingo cards? Visit https://presentationofmary.org/ham-bingo/

Would you like to volunteer to help? Click here to view the opportunities.

Please join us for the All-School Mass tomorrow, April 10th and then head to Kenney Hall afterwards for a delicious Pancake Breakfast!

Please join us on Saturday, May 21st to complete some needed tasks around campus. All skill levels welcome. This is a great family activity - we can find a job for everyone! Stay for an hour or the whole day. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Rick Bidwell at [email protected] or 651-260-7032.

8:00am Prayer Service

5:00pm Reconciliation

7:00pm Mass of the Lord's Supper Good

8:00am Morning Prayer Service

3:00pm Celebration of the Lord's Passion

7:00pm Living Stations

8:00am Morning Prayer Service

11:30am Drive-Thru Easter Food Blessing

8:00pm Easter Vigil

9:30am Easter Mass

Day of Fasting: On Good Friday, for those able, ages 18-59, are permitted to eat one full meatless meal and two smaller meatless snacks that together do not equal

a full meal.

The Servants of the Cross group will re-enact the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday, April 15 at noon at the Church of St Peter (2600 N. Margaret St.), at 3:30pm at St. Jude of the Lake (700 Mahtomedi Ave.), and at 7:00pm here at Presentation of Mary. If you are homebound or unable to attend please join us via our YouTube presentation. Free-will offerings accepted.

For more information visit www.servantsofthecrossmn.com.

On Saturday, April 16th from 11:30am-12:00pm, pull up to the north/handicap entrance of church and Fr Peter will bless the food for your Easter feast! 

The next Presentation 55 Club Luncheon is Tuesday, April 19 at noon at Blessed Sacrament Church. The menu is beef ravioli, salad, Italian bread and butter, and cake for dessert. Catered by Little Oven. Our entertainment will be Bingo! Reservations should be made by Friday, April 15 by calling Teri Garrity at 651-303-2145.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 14th for the next American Red Cross blood drive. It will run from 8:00am—1:00pm in Kenney Hall. Registration for appointments is already open! Please join our lifesaving mission and schedule yours today at https://www.redcrossblood.org/ or call Barb Swanson at

The CCW is taking up a collection through Sunday, April 10th for the Venezuelan Mission to support Fr. Greg Schaffer. Collection baskets for items will be at the Parish Center and church entrances labeled CCW (make sure not to put them in the HEO baskets). Needed items include: Toothpaste Tubes (variety of sizes), Toothbrushes, Irish Spring Soap Bars, Acetaminophen (Tylenol or other), Ibuprofen (Advil or other), Shampoo, Vitamins, Chocolate (any kind - special treat), Gummy candies, Sour Gummy Candies, Lotions, & Microwave Popcorn.

Each year our whole school commits to a Lenten Service Project. This year, students and families donated snacks and beverages to make snack packs for children struggling with food insecurity. Students created snack bags and decorated them with messages of kindness and love, then filled the bags with snack items. All of the bags will be delivered to Merrick Community Services to be distributed to children in need.

Ms. Nikki and Mr. David will be leading our Summer Care Program this year and are excited to have a great time with the kids! It is offered to children that will be entering kindergarten for the 2022-23 school year and older. Please click here to learn more and reserve a spot for your child(ren).

Admission: $20 (for 1 adult and 1 child, each additional child is $5)

RSVP is REQUIRED by May 6th (wrist corsage order is due by that date)

Please RSVP here with the number of

When: 6:30pm – 8:30pm, Saturday, May 14th

Where: Presentation Gym, 1695 Kennard St., Maplewood, MN

The Presentation of Mary Men's Softball team is looking for new players. Click here to learn more!

Looking for the perfect getaway? Let God meet you at a beautiful retreat location in Lake Elmo, MN. Join us for a Men's Silent Retreat at the Demontreville Jesuit Retreat House Wednesday April 13 - Saturday, April 16. The retreat begins Wednesday evening and ends Saturday evening. Free will donations are accepted. For more information call Demontreville at 651-777-1311 or check out the website http://www.demontrevilleretreat.com. Other retreat days are also available. 

651-260-7032 | [email protected]

Pope Francis has asked our parish to support the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land. Your support helps the church minister in parishes, provide Catholic schools and offer religious education, and helps preserve the sacred shrines. The pandemic hit particularly hard the Christians in the Holy Land. When you contribute to the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, you become an instrument of peace and join with Catholics around the world in solidarity with the Church in the Holy Land. For more information about Christians in the Holy Land, visit www.myfranciscan.org/good-friday.

Protection of Youth: All employees, and volunteers who interact with minors, are required to complete and maintain safe environment credentials (E3) through the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. To ensure successful completion of these requirements or if you have any questions regarding our safe environment practices or would like more information on what is needed to volunteer, please contact our Safe Environment Coordinator: Kay Mottaz @ 651-842-6022 or email [email protected].

To learn more about reporting suspected abuse, please also visit: www.safe-environment.archspm.org/report-abuse/Report.