St. Mary's Parish Update for April 3rd, 2026
The end of Holy Week draws near, as we look forward to this weekend's Easter celebration.
Here is the latest news from St. Mary's Kingman, as of 04/03/2026:
Hello St. Mary’s
Happy Easter! May the joy of the Risen Lord be with you!
On this most joyous of days know first of all that you are in my prayers daily and that it is truly a joy for me to be here with you serving you and helping facilitate an encounter with Christ in word and sacrament. On this most glorious of days, we can
reflect on one of the Gospels (Matthew 28:1-10), the journey of Mary Magdalene and some other women to the tomb of Jesus.
The text tells us that they are going to the tomb while it is still dark. If we’ve ever been awake right before the sunrise (I enjoy getting up early and watching the sunrise wherever I go) we know that this is both the darkest time of night and often the coldest. Yet, there is also a tranquility and a profound silence that marks this time too. This silence can be both captivating and terrifying and I’m sure for these holy women it was certainly a mix of emotions.
How are they going to roll the stone away? How are they going to get past the Roman guards assigned to watch over the tomb of Christ? Roman soldiers were highly trained specialists and were very good at their job: keeping people away. Yet, the women continue undeterred. Certainly, in awe and filled with grief over the past three days (Christ’s betrayal, arrest, torture, and crucifixion) but still they move ever closer to the tomb. What drives them on? Their love for Christ! They have such a deep love that they want to be in His presence, even if it is to prepare the body for burial so they come laden with oils and aromatic spices to prepare His corpse and to say goodbye.
Matthew’s Gospel narrative portrays all of this dramatically in the darkness before dawn on Easter morning. One of the things that makes Matthew’s Gospel so dramatic, and captivating is his literary mastery and ability to set a backdrop for God to do amazing things. From the joy of wedding suddenly grinding to a halt because they have no wine, to hungry crowds that need to be fed, to an encounter with the Risen Lord set against a backdrop of darkness, Roman power, and a heavy stone (estimates say that this stone weighed around 200 pounds and required great effort to move). These women soldier on bravely clinging for one last chance to be with Christ. In this context they encounter the Risen Lord as they confront their fears and see that God has the final word when the world seems to have one; Christ breaks through and His glory shines. This is the victory of Easter for which we give thanks
today and which, we pray, fills our hearts.
Easter is the day when the glory of the Lord shines gloriously,
victoriously, and undiminished. Inspired by the example of these
holy women may we confront our fears and seek Christ in all
circumstances, no matter the difficulties and, in so doing,
see Christ so that our joy might be in Him and never
taken away as He, risen from the dead, dies no more.
Happy Easter! May the joy of the Risen Lord be with you!
On this most joyous of days know first of all that you are in my prayers daily and that it is truly a joy for me to be here with you serving you and helping facilitate an encounter with Christ in word and sacrament. On this most glorious of days, we can
reflect on one of the Gospels (Matthew 28:1-10), the journey of Mary Magdalene and some other women to the tomb of Jesus.
The text tells us that they are going to the tomb while it is still dark. If we’ve ever been awake right before the sunrise (I enjoy getting up early and watching the sunrise wherever I go) we know that this is both the darkest time of night and often the coldest. Yet, there is also a tranquility and a profound silence that marks this time too. This silence can be both captivating and terrifying and I’m sure for these holy women it was certainly a mix of emotions.
How are they going to roll the stone away? How are they going to get past the Roman guards assigned to watch over the tomb of Christ? Roman soldiers were highly trained specialists and were very good at their job: keeping people away. Yet, the women continue undeterred. Certainly, in awe and filled with grief over the past three days (Christ’s betrayal, arrest, torture, and crucifixion) but still they move ever closer to the tomb. What drives them on? Their love for Christ! They have such a deep love that they want to be in His presence, even if it is to prepare the body for burial so they come laden with oils and aromatic spices to prepare His corpse and to say goodbye.
Matthew’s Gospel narrative portrays all of this dramatically in the darkness before dawn on Easter morning. One of the things that makes Matthew’s Gospel so dramatic, and captivating is his literary mastery and ability to set a backdrop for God to do amazing things. From the joy of wedding suddenly grinding to a halt because they have no wine, to hungry crowds that need to be fed, to an encounter with the Risen Lord set against a backdrop of darkness, Roman power, and a heavy stone (estimates say that this stone weighed around 200 pounds and required great effort to move). These women soldier on bravely clinging for one last chance to be with Christ. In this context they encounter the Risen Lord as they confront their fears and see that God has the final word when the world seems to have one; Christ breaks through and His glory shines. This is the victory of Easter for which we give thanks
today and which, we pray, fills our hearts.
Easter is the day when the glory of the Lord shines gloriously,
victoriously, and undiminished. Inspired by the example of these
holy women may we confront our fears and seek Christ in all
circumstances, no matter the difficulties and, in so doing,
see Christ so that our joy might be in Him and never
taken away as He, risen from the dead, dies no more.
Holy Week Schedule
Friday, April 3rd, 3:00pm -
Veneration of the Cross
Saturday, April 4th,
10:00am - The Blessing of the Food
8:00pm - Easter Vigil
Sunday, April 5th , 9:00am (English),
11:00am (Spanish) - Easter Sunday
There will be no First Friday and First Saturday devotions on April 3rd and 4th.
The Parish Office will be closed on Good Friday (04/03) and Easter Monday (04/06).
Altar Flower Donations for Easter - 04/05/2026
In loving memory of the Dwyer Family, Donated by Wayne & Cheryl Smith
To donate altar flowers in memory / in honor of a loved one, please contact
the parish office at frontdesk@stmarykingman.com.
the parish office at frontdesk@stmarykingman.com.
Worthy - A Blessed is She retreat, April 10-11th, 2026 in Phoenix, AZ
Upcoming Retrouvaille Weekend to help for hurting married couples
We are a group of married Catholic’s who have or are still struggling with our marriages. We help one another with a way to open the lines of communication in order to honor the vows we made with God and each other.
April 17-19, 2026
Confidential Inquiries: 602–254-6723
Email 4001@helpourmarriage.org
We are a group of married Catholic’s who have or are still struggling with our marriages. We help one another with a way to open the lines of communication in order to honor the vows we made with God and each other.
April 17-19, 2026
Confidential Inquiries: 602–254-6723
Email 4001@helpourmarriage.org
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACK'S CATHOLIC NIGHT AT CHASE FIELD
DIAMONDBACKS -VS- TEXAS RANGERS
DATE: SEPTEMBER 11, 2026
TIME: 6:40p.m.
WHERE: CHASE FIELD
ESTIMATED COST: $50+/- PER PERSON, INCLUDES TRAVEL EXPENSE AND ADMISSION TO GAME
SIGN UP IF INTERESTED IN ATTENDING
Sign up sheet will be on the table near the vestibule of the church.
Please contact any member of the Knights of Columbus if you have any questions.
DIAMONDBACKS -VS- TEXAS RANGERS
DATE: SEPTEMBER 11, 2026
TIME: 6:40p.m.
WHERE: CHASE FIELD
ESTIMATED COST: $50+/- PER PERSON, INCLUDES TRAVEL EXPENSE AND ADMISSION TO GAME
SIGN UP IF INTERESTED IN ATTENDING
Sign up sheet will be on the table near the vestibule of the church.
Please contact any member of the Knights of Columbus if you have any questions.
Thank you to all scheduled adoration adorers, for your dedication in committing to an hour of Eucharistic Adoration each Thursday in St. Mary's Chapel.
If not a scheduled adorer, please consider becoming one.
This means committing to spending a scheduled hour each Thursday in prayer and Adoration between the hours of 9am and 5pm. We especially need people to commit to the 11am and 2pm hours.
Also, we need substitutes for those who cannot adore during their scheduled time.
Join us in prayer during Thursday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, even if not scheduled.
To sign up or get more info: Call or text Sharon Rhizor at 702-466-3069
If not a scheduled adorer, please consider becoming one.
This means committing to spending a scheduled hour each Thursday in prayer and Adoration between the hours of 9am and 5pm. We especially need people to commit to the 11am and 2pm hours.
Also, we need substitutes for those who cannot adore during their scheduled time.
Join us in prayer during Thursday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, even if not scheduled.
To sign up or get more info: Call or text Sharon Rhizor at 702-466-3069
