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Second Sundday of Easter, April 24, 2022

Dear brothers and sisters,

ALLELUIA! JESUS CHRIST IS TRULY RISEN FROM THE DEAD!

We continue to revel in the message of this great truth, that Jesus Christ lives on, and I invite you to repeat these words often throughout the Easter season, savoring their life-giving sweetness. It is the time of the year to meditate on the power of forgiveness and compassion, to know that we are in good hands when we place ours into those of the ONE who can save us. It is the only time of the year when it is safe to put all of your eggs in one basket.

As we continue to rejoice in the truth of the Resurrection, the Second Sunday of Easter offers us an occasion to cherish the Divine Mercy of the Risen Lord. This Sunday is celebrated as the Feast of Mercy, and Jesus is eager to offer it to each and every one of us.  In Sr. Faustina’s Diary, 164, she shares the ineffable joy and delight that her dear Savior expresses in granting mercy: “As often as you want to make Me happy, speak to the world about My great and unfathomable mercy.” Oh, what a mission! Isn’t this one to which we are all called, to proclaim to the world the mercies of God?

The institution of the feast was inspired by a desire of Jesus conveyed to Sr. Faustina. The Lord Jesus told her, “I desire that the first Sunday after Easter be the Feast of Mercy (Diary, 299). 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” (Diary 699).

This is the time to express my gratitude to all of you: I am very grateful to the faithful who came to “taste and see” the mercies of our Lord during Holy Week and on Easter Sunday.  What a blessing it was to see the church filled to overflowing. We praise God for gently nudging so many to attend and thank all for cooperating with Divine grace. The number of our community members who celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation was humbling and very moving.

I wish to thank all of those who helped to make our Lenten journey a meaningful, shared experience, both those involved with our various ministries and so many others who contributed to the success of our celebrations. I am grateful to Fr. Vincent, our deacons, Misty, and the staff for their commitment to our parish. I thank Heidi, the choir, the cantors, and the musicians for their time and talent shared with our community. I thank Glenn and Lynne Vera and John Vitagliano of the media ministry for livestreaming our liturgies, along with the media volunteers who ensured all screen prompts were timely and in order.  I thank the digital media ministry for their photo and video support. I thank the altar guild and altar linen ministries for their behind-the-scenes service, the altar servers, their parents, and Scott Mimbs and Jeff Cabana for extra training to ensure the smooth flow of all liturgies, the sacristans, lectors, EMHCs, and the many ushers and greeters for their participation. Throughout the holy season of Lent and during Holy Week leading up to Easter, the art and environment committee members provided thoughtful, liturgy-inspired elements for our sanctuary, and I thank them for the ever-changing, beautiful images.

The season of Easter is the most important of all liturgical times, 50 days from the first Sunday to Pentecost. While the octave of Easter comprises the eight days which stretch from the first to the second Sunday, a prolonging of the joy of the Lord’s resurrection from the dead, let us continue to sing ALLELUIA throughout the season and rejoice in Christ’s victory over death, for “If Christ has not been raised, then empty is our preaching; empty, too, is your faith” (1 Cor 15:14).

I am heading to Notre Dame for the ordination of three of our Holy Cross men, about whom you will read at the bottom of this page. After that, I will be attending a meeting of the pastors. I will miss you all this weekend, but be assured of my prayers for you.  I ask, in your kindness, to remember to pray for me.

Be Blessed! With love, Fr. John