MPB’s Virtual Easter Sunday Mass!
We are pleased to announce that we will be streaming Easter Sunday Mass LIVE! I will celebrate from the rectory and several MPB lectors, music ministers, and parishioners will join from their own homes via video conference so that we may observe the Stay-at-Home Order but still gather together virtually. The resulting recording will be available to all by Easter Sunday morning so that you may worship at any time and from anywhere! More details will be sent over the next few days as to the time, and links to the livestream will appear on our Facebook page as well as the Virtual Worship page on our website. Further, I will be sending an additional Touchstones reflection tomorrow for Holy Thursday and a special Virtual Stations of the Cross on Friday featuring poetry, music, and reflection by our community and myself. Our hope is to connect the MPB community this Easter through technology, prayer and the Risen Lord.
God Bless and Be Well,
Fr. Pat
The ancient song doesn't end with death. This passage tells of the downward journey of Jesus in order to rise up.
"The Way Up is through Going Down"
April 8, 2020
In this reading from Philippians 2:6–11, we hear about the journey of Jesus and how in his coming to be one with us he emptied himself totally to the point of death on the cross. But this ancient song doesn’t end with death. God journeyed with him and raised him through the resurrection to bestow on him the name which is above every name.
Ann Zimmer, Sr. Mary Ann Figlino, Theresa Montano and Rosalyn Masterson at Music and Stories from the Margins
The phrase “emptied himself” which appears in this text, is the English translation of the Greek verb kenosein, which is where the word "kenosis" comes from. This passage tells of the downward journey of Jesus in order to rise up. This “emptying oneself” is what resonated to me as I allowed the passage to speak to me.
I have appreciated the messages of Richard Rohr over the past few years and have been drawn to his message of downward descent in order to rise up. It all started nearly 10 years ago when I asked Tom Wheeler where should I begin on this renewed faith journey as I joined MPB and he recommended Falling Upward. That was the start for me.
MPB Social Outreach serving at
Birthline's Sit and Sort
It's a hard message as it is so counter intuitive yet one more easily accessed as we reach the second half of life. Jesus, over and over again, delivered this same message in his life: Let go! Surrender! Don’t hoard! Don’t concern yourself with your importance! Don’t worry! All this self-emptying is a message that is a timely life- and peace-giving message.
Peace and Every Good,
Ann Zimmer
Social Outreach Coordinator
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
did not regard equality with God
something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
"Least of These" by Matt Maher
Performed by the Most Precious Blood Music Ministry at Music and Stories from the Margins, November 2019. Soloists are parishioners Linda Erickson and Brian Burke.
Please share with friends and family.
If you wish to subscribe for news and updates from Most Precious Blood, click here.