From the Pastor&#039;s Desk: April 24, 2022

“Peace be with you!”

     These first words of Jesus after the Resurrection fill us with the tremendous joy of Easter. At Easter, peace comes to us as a gift from God and invites us into a right relationship with Him, with ourselves, with others, and the entire world. This peace implies well-being, harmony between God and ourselves and the world surrounding us. With this harmony comes security, happiness, and a profound experience of peace – the first gift of the Risen Lord.

     The peace brought by the Risen One is consequently the triumph of Divine Mercy. What is mercy if not the boundless love of God? The message of Divine Mercy is simple. It is that God loves us- all of us. And He wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His peace and joy. The message of Divine Mercy, although not new to the teaching of the Church, sparked a great movement and a strong and significant focus on the Mercy of Christ. St. Faustina Kowalska received from the Lord a message of mercy that she was told to spread throughout the world.

     “My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or of angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from the very depths of My most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to Me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy. (Diary #699)”

     This Sunday invites us to spend time learning more about the Mercy of God, to trust in Jesus, and to live our life as merciful to others as Christ is merciful to us. At 6:00 pm this Sunday, we will have a Holy Hour with prayer and worship. We will pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. Please plan to join us.

    This Sunday, at a special Mass at 2:00 pm, we have the privilege to share in such a joyful occasion as we celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. In the mission of the Gospel and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Bishop Felipe Estévez will confirm 28 members of our parish to be transformed in becoming true and authentic disciples of Jesus Christ. My young friends, I pray that the gifts of the Holy Spirit will forever dwell in your hearts.

     I also want to express my profound words of appreciation to everyone who helped with the preparations to celebrate the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter. I want to thank our Missionary Sisters of the Holy Family for their tremendous work with serving the parish in so many different capacities including decoration. I want to thank our Music ministry for their hard and dedicated work to beautify the liturgies, our liturgical ministries– ushers, greeters, altar servers and anyone who in any way helped with preparations and celebration. May the Risen Lord bless each and every one of you!!!

St. Faustina, pray for us!

With prayers,

Fr. Andy