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April 25th, 2010 - 4th Sunday of Easter
World Day of Prayer for Vocations
My Dear People,
Good Shepherd Sunday always falls during
the middle of the Easter Season. St. John tells us that a Holy
Shepherd cares deeply for the life of his sheep. He is willing to lay
down his very life for them. When St. Peter was chosen to care for the
Church upon the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven, Our Lord knew the very
quality present in Peter that would protect and nourish His Church
here on Earth. And so it has been with every successor to St. Peter.
Pope Benedict follows in that apostolic tradition. Our Lord Jesus
Christ has never left us abandoned. Until He returns, Jesus still
guides us from His Heavenly throne. Every time the Holy Father speaks
"ex cathedra" (from His Chair), he does so to protect and
defend us. How important it is for us to pray for and support the
Pope. Pray, pray, pray for holy priests and bishops to lead the flock
into the way of Christ's peace.
Entrusting
you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark
We
may find joy by prayerfully reflecting on God's plan for us and
following the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
April 18th, 2010 - 3rd Sunday of Easter
My Dear People,
We have been blessed to have several
parish missions over the past eight years. A preached mission is a
great opportunity to intensify you relationship with Our Lord. This
year our mission will begin with the preaching at all of the masses
beginning at the 5pm mass at St. James Church, April 17th. Fr. Joseph
Butz, CSSR will head up the team. Each night there is a special topic
for discussion. The first topic will be presented on Sunday. April
18th at St. Mary's Church at 7pm. Presentations will continue through
Wednesday night, each beginning at 7pm. Please plan on attending this
great spiritual event. Bring family and friends.
Entrusting
you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark
For
all those who are touched by our faithful stewardship, may they know
the love of Jesus through the time, talent and treasure that we share.
April 11th, 2010 - Divine Mercy Sunday
My Dear People,
Given to the great St. Faustina during the
1930's, Our Lord asked for the Sunday after Easter to honor His Divine
Mercy. And so, Pope John Paul ll has declared the second Sunday after
Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. With Holy Mass, Confession, praying for
the Holy Father's intentions, and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, one may
receive a plenary indulgence removing all temporal punishment due to
sin and death. This is our great gift from Our Risen Lord. What better
gift could He give to us, the poor children of Eve. Please take
advantage of this great grace of Divine Mercy. Beginning at 1pm at St.
Mary Church April 11th, all will receive the opportunity to adore Our
Lord exposed in the Blessed Sacrament, hear two presentations on
Divine Mercy, go to Confession (two priest available), and celebrate
Holy Mass. The cost; your time and prayers! Please plan on arriving at
St. Mary's at 1pm. Not all parishes are providing the spiritual
opportunity, so feel free and bring family, friends and neighbors. May
God's great gift of Divine Mercy reign in you heats.
Entrusting
you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark
May
we seek God's Divine Mercy in all our actions and decisions.
April 4th, 2010 - Easter Sunday
My Dear People,
St. Mary Magdelene was one of the first
disciples to witness Our Risen Lord. As they were going to the tomb
with the spices to prepare the body, they encountered the Angel
guarding the tomb. The women saw that the burial place was empty. They
were told that they should announce the Good News to St. Peter and the
other Apostles. Peter runs to the place of the Resurrection. He peers
inside to find it empty, just as the women had announced. We base our
beliefs upon the witness of these apostles. We were not at the tomb to
find it empty. We did not see His as did St. Thomas the Apostle. Our
faith is truly "believing" without seeing. Even so, the
Apostles idd not yet fully understand what the Resurrection was. This
appreciation would not come until the birthday of the Church.
Pentecost. We pray during the next eight days of Easter, the octave of
Easter, that The Lord's glory might dwell upon us.
Entrusting
you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark
May
we more fully follow the teachings of Jesus. Realizing that this man
Jesus, truly was God and His way truly is God's way.
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