St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Parish Grand Prairie, Texas
Gospel Meditations
March 29, 2026
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Matthew 26:14-27:66
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Matthew 26:14-27:66
Just prior to this week’s Passion narrative in St. Matthew’s Gospel, there is a small, striking story describing a woman’s scandalous action toward Jesus: “A woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of costly perfumed oil, and poured it on his head” (Matthew 26:7). The ointment was pure nard, worth more than 300 denarii. A year’s wages. Maybe a dowry, maybe a family inheritance. In any case, she breaks it. She does not measure or ration. She pours it all out, irreversibly, over Jesus. Why does this image begin Holy Week?
Because what she does with the jar, Jesus will soon do with his life. The jar must be broken so the fragrance can be released. Jesus’ body will be broken so his priceless divine and human love can be poured out. She gives everything, just as he is about to give everything. And He sees it: “She has done a good thing for me” (Matthew 26:10). Her act is lavish, impractical, scandalous in its apparent wastefulness. And he loves it. It is what Holy Week is all about.
What jar are you still holding onto? Your time? Your comfort? Your plan for how life should go? Don’t just wave palms today. Let yourself be broken open so your love, too, can be poured out.
Lenten Challenge: Offer something costly to Jesus this Holy Week — not out of guilt, but love. Your attention. Your forgiveness. Your time. Break the jar. Trust that nothing poured out for him is ever wasted.
— Father John Muir
©LPi
29 de marzo de 2026
Domingo de Ramos
Mateo 21:1-11
Domingo de Ramos
Mateo 21:1-11
Con el Domingo de Ramos damos comienzo a la Semana Santa, también llamada Semana Mayor. Hoy se proclaman dos evangelios en la Misa: uno a la entrada del templo, para caminar alegres con palmas en la mano al encuentro de Cristo, y el otro durante la Liturgia de la Palabra: la Pasión del Señor. El Papa Francisco, en la Exhortación Apostólica La Alegría del Evangelio, escribe lo siguiente: “La verdadera fe en el Hijo de Dios hecho carne es inseparable del don de sí, de la pertenencia a la comunidad, del servicio, de la reconciliación con la carne de los otros. El Hijo de Dios, en su encarnación, nos invitó a la revolución de la ternura” (EG 88). La ternura y la misericordia de Dios se hacen especialmente presentes durante la Pasión del Señor.
La Semana Santa es un tiempo especial para nuestra renovación espiritual. Como cristianos bautizados, somos seguidores de Jesús y debemos alzar los dinteles de nuestra alegría, porque va a entrar en nuestro corazón el Rey de la Gloria. “¡Hosana al Hijo de David! ¡Bendito el que viene en el nombre del Señor! ¡Hosana en lo más alto de los cielos!” (Mateo 21:9). Aclamación y súplica es lo que repetimos año tras año durante el Domingo de Ramos. Somos bendecidos al poder participar en esta celebración que nos invita a vivir la vida, pasión, muerte y resurrección del Señor: la Pascua gloriosa, centro de todo el Año Litúrgico.
©LPi
PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please Note a misprint in the bulletin: There will be no daily Mass on Tuesday, March 31st due to our Priests attending the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral.
An opportunity for Confessions before the Easter Triduum will be offered on April 1st at 6:30pm
Easter Egg Donations
We are still in need of individually wrapped candy for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Last year, our Faith Formation department was able to prepare 5000 Easter Eggs thanks to your generosity! Candy must be dropped off in the Atrium or Parish Office by 5pm on Tuesday, March 31st. As a reminder, we will have the Easter Bunny present for a photo opportunity on Easter Sunday. Please see the flyer below for the listed times.
Easter Flowers
We are now accepting donations for Easter Flowers on our website. Help us decorate our beautiful Sanctuary for the Resurrection of the Lord. Donors will be recognized at all the Easter Masses. The last day for Donations is March 29th.
Faith Formation Sacramental Dates
OCIA Year IIBaptism/Confirmation/Eucharist - April 4th at 8:00pm (please arrive by 7:00pm)
First Reconciliation - Wednesday, April 22nd @ 6:30pm
Confirmations 2026
Confession - Wednesday, April 22nd @ 6:30pm
Masses - Monday, April 27th @ 7:00pm | Thursday, April 30th @ 7:00pm
First Communions 2026
First Confessions - Wednesday, May 6th @ 6:30pm
Masses - Saturday, May 9th @ 11:00am (Sunday/Thursday Classes) & 2:00pm (Wednesday Classes)
May Crowning: Sunday, May 10th @ 9am,11am,1pm Masses
The Last Lenten Fish Fry.
This Friday, March 27 is your FINAL chance to enjoy our Lenten Fish Fry—and we’re making it bigger than ever with LUNCH AND DINNER SALES!
LUNCH 11 AM – 4 PM | Until Sold Out, Served by our Lawn Ministry
DINNER Starting at 6 PM | Until Sold Out, Served by our CRHP Men & Women
Our Goal: 300 Plates (150 lunch + 150 dinner) Help us reach it!
Our Goal: 300 Plates (150 lunch + 150 dinner) Help us reach it!
This is not only a delicious tradition at our parish—it’s also a fundraiser Plate: $12Includes: 2 fish fillets, hushpuppies, fries, coleslaw + dessert Drinks: $2 (soda or water) Order Ahead! Call Albert Sorola at 817-793-4195 to reserve your plates before we sell out! We are also offering delivery (3 plate minimum) within a 3-mile radius of St. Michael the Archangel.
Bring your family, invite your friends, and let’s close out the season strong with great food and fellowship. You don’t want to miss this one!
New Parishioner Meet & Greet
Calling all new parishioners! If you have joined our parish in the past few months, we invite you to a “Meet and Greet” on Sunday, April 12 at 10am in Trinh Hall. During this session, we will introduce you to our many parish ministries, activities, events, and so much more. This is your chance to get involved in parish life and become part of our amazing community! Refreshments will be served.
Please use the link below to RSVP so we can prepare enough materials.
KofC Scholarships
The application for the 2026 Knights of Columbus scholarships are now open. This is open to all graduating High School Seniors. The Application can be downloaded from the Parish Website. Application deadline is May 15, 2026.
Prison Ministry
A prison retreat will be held at Coffield Prison from April 16–19 by St. Michael’s Prison Ministry. We are seeking donations of cookies, placemats, and monetary support, which are due by April 12. A donation basket will be available at all Masses the weekend of April 11–12.
Donations may also be arranged for drop-off or pick-up by contacting Margie Mendoza (972-693-8349) or Alfred Mendoza (972-375-3559).
We also ask for your prayers during this weekend, that the men attending may experience conversion and grow closer to our Lord.
St. Vincent de Paul Ministry thanks You!
St. Vincent de Paul Ministry would like to thank our parishioners for their generous donations during our Thanksgiving and Christmas events.
We were able to help 32 families with Thanksgiving food and 40 families with Christmas food. In addition 64 children received 2 gifts each from our angel tree. A big thank you to the Knights of Columbus for providing brand new coats for many of the children.
