Palm Sunday 2009 dawned with hopeful sun but a threat of springtime storms. The morning was cool but sufficiently warm to gather in front of the school for blessing of palms. At 9:00 am, the congregation processed from the school across the parking lot to the church before circling the worship space to begin the services. At 11:00 am, the congregation processed around the block toward First Baptist North before entering Holy Angels for worship. We took on the roles of the people of Jerusalem, singing, "My soul magnifies the Lord, for He is worthy to be praised. Hosanna! Blessed be the Rock of my salvation!"
       The reading of the passion continued the very visual and format begun in 2008. Father Taylor read the words of Jesus from in front of the altar while lay readers spoke the commentary and the parts of key persons in the passion from opposite sides of the front of the church. Parishioners continued the vicarious experience of the people of Jesus's time by reciting the parts of each group presented in the gospel story.
        Father Taylor's homilies both outside at the blessing of palms and indoors at mass made poignant and powerful points. He contrasted the excitement of Jesus entering Jerusalem with the difficulties of commitment experienced by Peter in the scriptures and by ourselves in our daily lives.