From the desk of Fr. Peter

May the joy of Easter emanate from your hearts!

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told his followers that he would send the “Advocate” to remain with them as a teacher, and as one who would remind them of all that Jesus had told them.

For the leadership and the people of the early Church, the presence, action and teaching of the Holy Spirit was plainly visible as they clarified the issue of circumcision. The Holy Spirit is still strongly active in guiding individuals and the whole Church through the course of time.

Pope Francis continues to have a deep and positive impact on Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims and non-believers alike. Within a few moments of his first public address, it was highly evident to all that the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi had come upon the new pope. As many of you know, St. Francis was known as a man of simplicity, humility, and care for the poor. This same gift of the Holy Spirit has been given to the Holy Father to remind us on how to live the Gospel! His missionary efforts around the world have had profound effects. Most notable to me was his visit to the Central African Republic where a Muslim coup caused the country to spiral into civil war. Against the wishes and pressure of his advisors, Pope Francis was eager to visit the danger zone and he brought the Gospel of peace to them! This is a defining characteristic of his ministry—he goes where the Gospel is needed the most. It takes faith and courage to do that.

Two of his encyclicals include joy in the title: The Joy of the Gospel and The Joy of Love

The Holy Spirit always comes to restore, strengthen, confirm, console and encourage. The fruits of the Spirit are joy, kindness, gentleness, humility, patience, understanding, goodwill, speech that is directed toward the up-building of each person and society. The Spirit is agile and creative too; like a bubbling spring that always seeks what is good and finds ways to make good things happen even against all odds. The encyclicals remind us of the joy we have when living life in the Spirit. Those who are worldly, forceful, and do not walk as humble servants of Jesus do not experience the joy of this life.

Within each one of us there is an enlightenment that comes from the Gospel that helps us keep Jesus’ word alive in our hearts, words and actions. Just as the Holy Spirit equipped and accompanied the disciples to proclaim the Gospel as Jesus did, we are called to be the Chosen witnesses who proclaim it today. May we be watchful and ready to welcome, console, confirm, strengthen and encourage those who come into our presence seeking God. God bless you always! +++ Fr. Peter

May the joy of Easter lift your heart and mind!

Last weekend was Good Shepherd Sunday. Listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd and following him wherever he calls us is an amazing adventure of faith. Listening and discovering another person’s love language is a means to helping each other experience God’s voice and love. When we speak someone else’s love language, we make each other feel valued, appreciated and loved.

This weekend we are given another paradigm that points to a much deeper and fuller intimacy between ourselves and God. It is much more human in terms of relationship because it is not between a shepherd and sheep; it is love between God and Jesus, Jesus and the disciples and the love of disciples for each other. This mutual love and goodwill is the true trademark of the community that Jesus founded, the Church.

As I reflect on the positioning of this set of readings in the context of the Easter Season, I am reminded of my own pilgrimage and the way the calendar of the Church leads us personally and communally in a cyclical fashion through particular stages of life toward union with God. Every year we grow closer to what we hope for: the Beatific Vision in which we are all completely united to God in God.

At Easter, one of my favorite phrases among the prefaces of the Mass states ”the joy of the resurrection renews the whole world.” When I reflect on this phrase while living in the Easter Season, it seems that we are on the very threshold of experiencing the Kingdom of Heaven! But now in these readings we return to a context of farewell. Jesus is preparing us for the departure of the Easter Season of grace, but we are not to worry or be sorrowful. Rather, we are to focus in faith and make a daily effort to be ready for the moment he returns to gather each one us personally and intimately to himself! It will be like the most perfect wedding and we will experience a true happily ever after in heaven! May God’s promise of love sustain you in everlasting hope! +++ Fr. Peter

May the light and joy of Easter fill your hearts!

This weekend is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations! There is a popular hymn by Dan Schutte called “Here I Am Lord”. This hymn gives a good summary of what the attitude and response of each Christian and Prophet referred to in Sacred Scripture has been! “Here I am Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night. I will go Lord, if you lead me. I will hold your people in my heart.”

Each person is singularly and uniquely created by God and endowed with special gifts. God calls everyone to use their gifts for the benefit of others and for building up his Kingdom, the community of faith. Everyone has the gift of a vocation in which they find the fulfillment of the meaning and purpose of their lives. Some are called to be priests, to preach the Word of God, to administer the Sacraments, especially Penance and the Eucharist, and to help the sick and the suffering and the poor and to give their lives in sacrificial service after Christ. Others are called to serve as Deacons, to proclaim God’s Word and serve others.

Many men and women are inspired by the Holy Spirit to serve the needs of humanity in a radical way by choosing to live the Gospel under vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Their prayers are powerful as they intercede for all humanity and their lives give witness of the love and mercy of God as they serve the needs of others in charity.

Married couples are a living sign of God’s love for the human family in their mutual love for each other and their children as they lead lives of faith and teach their children to listen to God and follow the way of life that Jesus taught.

All vocations are important and form part of God’s plan for the good of the whole Church. Today, the Church needs more men and women serving as priests and religious. Please pray for an increase in Priestly and religious vocations and a generous response to God’s call!

May God bless you always! +++ Fr. Peter

May the splendor of Christ risen from the dead fill your hearts and minds!

The Easter Season is a time of grace, conversion and consolation from the Lord!  I know that many of us are experiencing special gifts of grace that make change possible at this time.

In the first reading the disciples are speaking and doing things in the name of Jesus.  Peter and John had just recently healed a crippled beggar.  The authorities are offended and upset about publicizing Jesus’ name because they executed him.  Who are the authorities in our day who oppose public prayer or recognition of God as source of life and love?  Who are the ones who speak out in the name of Jesus regardless of the opposition?  The disciples felt honored to have suffered for the sake of the name of Jesus, what do you do with your discomforts, inconveniences and suffering?

The Gospel reading takes us to the sea shore and the story of the great catch of fish.  In this story, John, as the one who loves, is the first to recognize Jesus—love is always the first to believe!  Peter jumps out of the boat again.  The net is dragged to shore but doesn’t tear.  Jesus feeds them again which is the third time Jesus shows his presence in the Eucharist since he rose from the dead.  And Peter is fully reconciled to Jesus then gifted with his mission to follow Jesus.

That is a lot to unpack!  I will just say that the net signifies the Gospel with its capacity and power to gather people of every language and culture into an unbreakable unity of faith and love.  This is at the heart of the mission of the Church.  Peter’s reconciliation with Jesus empowers him to be a reconciler between the human race and God.  Forgiveness of sins brings salvation to the whole world and Peter has a special role to play in it!  You and I have a special role to play in our giving testimony to the great things God has done for us!  Like the disciples, let us do it with joy, confidence and in a most congenial way!  May God bless you always! +++ Fr. Peter

Happy Easter! May the Divine Mercy raise you up in hope and courage!

Mercy Sunday is a special day for those around the world who have made the effort to pray the Divine Mercy Novena beginning Good Friday and culminating the second Sunday of Easter. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy was given to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska on Good Friday in 1935 by Jesus who wanted her to pray it as a Novena (9 days) with special intentions for each of the nine days it was prayed. St. Faustina relates in her Diary that Jesus made several promises to grant many special graces to those who would pray the Novena. This Sunday many of the faithful will begin to realize the graces and gifts that Jesus promised to those who would pray the Chaplet. Those who were included in the intentions will receive life changing graces in their lives as well! I am very happy that we include praying the Chaplet in our parishes, especially at St. Edward where it is prayed with the Rosary before all Masses. Jesus also made promises to those who would display an image of the Divine Mercy which is prominently displayed in our Churches at St. Thomas, St. Bernard and St. Edward. The rays streaming from the heart of Jesus in the image have symbolic meaning: red is for the blood of Jesus which is the life of souls and the pale color is for water and Baptism which justifies souls (diary par. 299). The whole image is symbolic of charity, divine love and forgiveness referred to as the “Fountain of Mercy.”

This Sunday the Divine Mercy devotion will begin at St. Edward at 3:00pm. All are invited to attend. There will be Solemn Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and then concluded with Solemn Benediction.

May God bless you always! +++ Fr. Peter

May the Joy of Easter shine brightly in your hearts!

Through the journey of Lent we have been gathering on Fridays to pray the Stations of the Cross. Many of us have personally experienced the rise and fall rhythm as we struggle with our own crosses and burdens. Through the struggle and the toil, the feelings of confusion and re-orientation, the rise and fall of hope and failure, we have been able to identify and confront some of the forces that have disfigured us. Some of these things are within us and some of them are from people or situations around us. Either way, whatever the source, we have felt the darkness and emptiness of pain and sin. These things have given us a tomb-like experience. We have felt trapped, isolated and unable to change.

Today, by God’s grace, we feel a new freedom! Our faith impels us forth from the confinement of old behaviors to new, better ways of living and loving! In practical daily living, Easter means the experience of tragedy but also joy through the experience of Jesus’ power to transform a tragedy into a new beginning. I think the disciples of Jesus had that type of experience, although much greater. They had placed all their hopes and dreams in Jesus and his promises but then came Good Friday and all their hopes and dreams were smashed to bits when he was taken captive, falsely accused and brutally killed. Their hopes and dreams seemed to finally vanish when he died on the cross. I doubt they fully realized what Jesus was doing for them at the time of the Last Supper—or on the cross. But as the sun rose on Easter morning, Jesus the true light rose with it and appeared to his disciples more fully alive than ever! In that moment, the power of Easter began to transform the lives of his disciples. Incredulity gave way to belief, despair gave way to hope, darkness gave way to light and sorrow gave way to joy, hatred gave way to love! Every Easter Jesus invites us to open our hearts to the transforming power of his love so that he can accomplish in us what he accomplished in his disciples. He sent them into the world renewed and freed from fear or doubt. He made them people of light and filled them with joy! Then he sent them to share the Good News of God’s love and mercy! May God fill you with light, happiness and peace that you may share it with others! +++ Fr. Peter

Grace and peace to you!

Palm Sunday begins Holy Week. It is called Holy Week because through the scriptures this week, we are brought into the historical account of Jesus’ sacrifice and love for us that won our salvation. The liturgies this week take on a special character too. This is partly due to the focus on the passion of Jesus in the readings but also because we engage our physical senses through doing things out of the ordinary like, the reception of the holy oils, the washing of the feet, the empty tabernacle, the use of incense, the veneration of the cross, the ceremony of light with fire and candles and special readings and seasonal hymns. As we incorporate these things, it is important to realize that we are not re-enacting the historical events upon which our faith is grounded, but rather we are enabling ourselves through a fuller use of our senses to enter more deeply into the Paschal Mystery. The mystery we enter calls us to reflect upon the events of the past when God delivered his people from oppression and slavery. This mystery compels us to ponder what is now happening in our lives: to recognize the ways that God is leading us on a path of conversion and healing, deepening our faith and our personal relationship with God. Through Lent, we have encountered temptation and some of our faults have been revealed to us. Our lives have changed because God is leading us to a new way of life. This “anamnesis” or remembering-in-a-special-way bolsters our hope and confidence in God’s loving plan of salvation for our future. We know that we are never abandoned nor forgotten and we are always delivered and forgiven when we turn to God for help. My prayer is that we all grow in holiness as we enter this special week in a new and deeper way. God bless you all! +++ Fr. Peter

The story of Lazarus helps us enter into a deep and real encounter with Jesus. Although Jesus is the All Powerful Lord and Savior of all, he weeps at the death of his friend and he grieves with Martha and Mary because of their loss. Jesus is not afraid to cry, to weep and to grieve. He is not aloof or separated from our pain, longing or suffering any more than he is separated from our feelings of joy, hope and gratitude! Jesus is not afraid to feel and express his emotions in a healthy way with other people. Jesus’ words to unbind and set Lazarus free are directed to us today.

Let us think about Lazarus for a moment. He is bound up in a dark cave and he is dead. These are the effects of sin and Jesus has come to show that he can free us from these effects if we trust and believe in him!

Close your eyes, try to identify the places of injury on your body or soul that have been damaged or died because of sin. Think about your personal Spirit, has part of it died or been diminished in some way?

If you feel that you are in darkness and have lost sight of hope, If you feel unable to give or receive love, If you can no longer voice your true thoughts and feelings, If you did something bad or were made to do something bad, If you are unable to move forward and make changes in your life, If your mind is constantly dwelling on negativity, fear, guilt, or caught up in anger obsessing on past hurts and trauma, If you feel ashamed, If you have been carrying the burden of an unspoken secret, If part of your body is suffering from the damage of abuse, or anything else– ask Jesus to unbind you!

If you feel that you are cut off from God and are unable to pray: pray in the name of Jesus! Pray with a humble, sincere and repentant heart. Pray from the heart and simply be honest with Jesus. Ask him to help you pray.

Remember: You cannot have lust or a wrongful attachment in your heart. You cannot be effective in prayer if you mistreat your spouse or your children or neglect the poor. You cannot harbor a grudge. You must have faith in your heart and no bitterness toward someone else. Pray with great hope and in secret. Pray according to God’s will with an obedient attitude and live that way. Pray in agreement with other believers and with delight in God’s goodness and love! Fast and pray while abiding in God’s Word, Jesus Christ! May the All-merciful Lord raise you to eternal life! +++ Fr. Peter

Peace to you!

Beatitude, understood properly as a term, means the state of complete blessedness or happiness. The beatific vision is to be in the full possession of the only truly perfect good, which is God. There are 8 supernatural actions that the Lord enumerates in the Sermon on the Mount, the last of which is indicated twice to emphasize its excellence. Simply stated, the beatitudes are the crowning achievements in the Christian life on earth. They are acts of virtue (moral excellence) that have been perfected to the highest possible degree by the person who has become habitually docile to the Holy Spirit. It almost goes without saying that while humility, meekness, desire for justice, chastity, compassion, mercy, charity, working for peace no matter the cost are acts of virtue, they also manifest the real presence of special, God given gifts in the person. A beatific or happy life is the result of using these supernatural gifts in a manner guided by the Holy Spirit. All of us desire fulfillment and happiness at the deepest level within. As Christians, we regard Jesus as the revealer and teacher of truth. Jesus teaches us the truth about the human person and about God. Through the beatitudes, he reveals that the way to true happiness consists in a life of virtue in communion with God in the Holy Spirit. This doesn’t necessarily mean that we won’t have to struggle with sin while we are in the world, but it does mean that we can experience the blessedness of the kingdom! May God guide you into the way of peace! +++ Fr. Peter

Peace and grace to you all!

The readings that we use this weekend are from Year A. The reason we will use them is because they emphasize the importance of faith and baptism. This is important for the faithful and especially for those preparing for baptism into the Catholic faith.

In the first reading, the Israelites’ physical fatigue and thirst reveals the deeper level of their spiritual aridity and lack of faith. This happens even though God has been providing everything that they need in a unique and powerful way. Moses is frustrated with their hardness of heart, doubt and complaining rather than putting confidence in God. But God is patient, understanding and compassionate so he gives them the water they desire (the water symbolizes the Life of Grace through baptism).

In the Gospel story, Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman and surprises her in many ways. She carries an empty jar to the well each day to satisfy her physical thirst. But in the encounter with Jesus, it becomes almost immediately clear that the empty jar is an image of her own spiritual emptiness and thirst for grace and mercy from God. She has had a hard life. She comes to the well at mid-day to avoid the scorn and ridicule of other townspeople. She quickly discovers that Jesus doesn’t treat her the way other people do. He is kind toward her even though he knows her whole life story with the bad decisions but instead of ridicule and rejection, Jesus offers her a remedy. For her part, she has only to put her faith and trust in him. She leaves the jar behind as an image of leaving behind her emptiness, pain, and thirst for God. Something new is springing up inside of her, it is faith and trust. As baptized Catholics, we can well identify with the wellspring flowing inside her because we know it is the grace and mercy of God. It is evident that Jesus came on that day and at that hour to satisfy the longing the woman had for God: to save her from her sins.

There is another thirst in the story too. Jesus’ thirst. Jesus was thirsting for her faith and trust. This set of readings helps us in our Lenten desert. While we experience trials and tribulations, aridity and loneliness, we thirst for fulfillment and comfort but we don’t always remember that God’s thirst for our faith and trust in him is much greater than ours. God’s thirst for us is satisfied when we put him first and call to him for help. God’s presence will always be found in the act of loving. When we comfort, accept, heal and forgive one another, we are not only imitating God’s response to us, we are also making God present to others. May God continue to fill you with life-giving water! +++ Fr. Peter