On Saturday, May 3rd, twenty-two children made their First Sacrament of Reconciliation. What a joy and privilege it was to see them at this Sacrament!

We also encouraged the whole family to come to church with the child and to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation too. I’m pleased to say that I was able to hear the confession of some families that morning.  This was a great example not only to the children in the family but indeed to other children and adults present in church – including myself. (Read more…)

Today we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. Pope Francis has urged us to embrace this day and truly reflect a spirit of mercy, repentance, and reconciliation in our lives. On this day, one week after Easter, we are reminded why Jesus rose from the dead; and one of the reasons was to shower the world with divine mercy.

This is what the Church has to say in part about this great feast: “During the Church’s millennium celebration in 2000, Pope John Paul II declared that the Second Sunday of Easter be known as “Divine Mercy Sunday.” (Read more…)

Dear Parishioners and Guests:

HAPPY EASTER! CHRIST IS RISEN!

Easter is not about brightly colored eggs, wearing pastels, or enjoying a big meal, although it could include these. Easter is about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For some it will be a sad day, because Easter is a reminder of a loved one who has died and is now desperately missed.

Death seems so cruel, so harsh, and so final.  That is what the disciples were feeling when they saw their Lord, whom they had left everything to follow, hanging on the cross. (Read more…)

Today, with Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, we embark on the HOLIEST of weeks, the first and most important in our liturgical year. Each day provides a renewed opportunity to celebrate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion: This year we walk with the Lord during His final days, proclaiming the Passion according to Luke. Each of the Passion narratives has a different feel to it, as the evangelist emphasizes some subtle themes.  (Read more…)

Traditional Blessing of Easter Food on

Holy Saturday, April 19th at 11:00 AM

The Tradition!  … what’s it all about?

When many of our Eastern European Ancestors came to this country a century ago, they brought with them some beautiful traditions which added a particular beauty to the Easter Holydays.  Among the most popular is the Traditional Blessing of the Foods that would be eaten on Easter morning.  After a strict Lenten fast and abstinence, specially prepared foods were made in advance for the blessing.  (Read more…)

During the weeks of Lent, the Scripture readings and Mass prayers at our weekday Masses invite us to seriously respond to the call to conversion of heart that we heard on Ash Wednesday and to continue in our efforts to enter into the season as best we can. We are called to turn away from our sinfulness and to turn towards God. The traditional Lenten penances of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are held up before us as excellent ways of responding to this challenge to faithfully live the Lenten season. (Read more…)