On Saturday, April 13th, thirteen 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…)

Next Sunday, April 21st, is World Day of Prayer for Vocations. On this day, the Church throughout the world, in a special way, encourages prayer for vocations. It also asks us to do the following:

· Make a special effort to ask the Lord for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

· Pray for the priests who have ministered to you throughout your life, both living and  deceased.

· Keep our parish priests in your prayers throughout the week. (Read more…)

Divine Mercy Sunday

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.” Prior to this celebration, the Pope also wrote a profound encyclical called “Rich in Mercy.” This encyclical explained the doctrinal and scriptural foundations for our understanding of mercy. (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.  Walk with Jesus in His triumphal entry into Jerusalem as the adoring crowd’s wave palm branches and shout “Hosanna.”

Holy Thursday: This is the commemoration of the Last Supper, as the Lord instituted the Eucharist and the Priesthood.  We hear from John’s Gospel of the mandatum, the Lord’s command to “wash the feet” of the other, to “do this in memory of me.” Come along and celebrate with us; the Mass of the Lord’s Supper will begin at 7:00 PM and will include the Eucharistic procession and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. (Read more…)

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.  A family basket would be filled with these foods and then covered with a crocheted cloth. (Read more…)