Natchez Catholics celebrate Palm Sunday
NATCHEZ — The normal place for Catholics to celebrate weekend Masses and high holy days is in their churches. But on April 5, Palm Sunday, the three Catholic parishes and Fayette St. Anne Parish will come together for one joint celebration at the Natchez City Auditorium at 10 a.m., according to Father David O’Connor, pastor of St. Mary and Assumption parishes, and Father John O’Halloran, pastor of Holy Family in Natchez, St. Ann in Fayette and St. John the Baptist in Cranfield.
Father O’Connor said Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (Mt 21:1-11, Mk 11:1-11, Lk 19:28-44, Jn 12:12-19), and begins what is known as Holy Week.
“Holy Week recalls and liturgically re-enacts great events in the final week of Jesus’ life – his arrival in Jerusalem for the Jewish Passover, his last supper with his disciples, his arrest and trial before Pilate, and his death on the cross. But the Jesus story did not end with his death, and we Christians believe he was raised to life again, and this event is commemorated at Easter.”
According to Father O’Halloran, Palm Sunday is a great feast day that draws our minds back to the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. “My experience is that even church members who are not regular weekend church-goers find a special attraction to Palm Sunday and actively participate in the procession with palm branches,” he said.
He said the Palm Sunday event is recognized by all Christian people, and because of this they are extending an invitation to all interested people in the Miss-Lou area to join us for this service.
“We warmly welcome all those who have not been active in their churches in recent times, and we pray this might be a new beginning for them.”
The order of the worship service begins with a call to worship near the Callon Petroleum courtyard, then a prayerful procession to the City Auditorium, according to Ruth McWilliams, chairperson of the planning committee.
Babysitting with adult supervision will be provided at St. Theresa Hall on the lower level of St. Mary Basilica beginning at 9:15 a.m.
For people who prefer to attend Mass in a church, a vigil Mass is scheduled at Fayette St. Ann Saturday, April 4, at 4 p.m., and in St. Mary Basilica at 5 p.m. The only Palm Sunday Mass in the city of Natchez will be at the City Auditorium.
Father O’Halloran said his parishioners are looking forward to this event. “My priest friends in New Orleans where I served before coming to Natchez complemented the Natchez congregations on this event that draws the congregations together for worship.
“We have invited all the Catholic congregations in Southwest Mississippi, as well as in Vidalia and Ferriday, La., to attend and we expect each of these will be represented at this celebration.”
For information, contact St. Mary, 601-445-5616; Holy Family, 601-445-5700; or Assumption, 601-442-7250.
