Archdiocese of Newark Celebrates Palm Sunday

Across all 212 Archdiocese of Newark churches, thousands of Catholics joined together to pray, reflect, and receive blessed palm fronds, symbolizing the branches thrown at Jesus’ feet upon his arrival in Jerusalem. They also engaged in the reading of the Passion, recounting the gospel’s narrative of the events leading to Christ’s crucifixion.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, led the noon Palm Sunday service at Verona’s Our Lady of the Lake Parish, where the atmosphere was doubly celebratory as the parish commemorated its centennial anniversary. During his homily, Cardinal Tobin acknowledged that Easter has been celebrated for about 2,000 years, so Catholics are familiar with the story of Jesus’ death. However, he emphasized that regardless of how many times the faithful have heard it, they should always retain their sense of amazement at the resurrection of Jesus, God’s only son.  

“It was wonderful to have Cardinal Tobin be with us during our 100^th anniversary year,” said Father Peter G. Wehrle, pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Parish. “Palm Sunday is always a draw, but we had about two times the amount that normally attends our 12 p.m. Mass, so I think a lot of people were there to see him. And his homily was so beautifully relevant to all, from confirmation kids who were present to older parishioners. I think everybody really enjoyed his message.”