Happy Easter!
Yep, technically it's still Easter, in this octave of Easter. In fact, the eight days of the octave are given the second-highest rank in the church calendar (second only to the Paschal Triduum and Easter itself). The octave ends with the second Sunday of Easter, known as Divine Mercy Sunday as instituted by Pope John Paul II on the day he canonized St. Faustina in 2000.
Speaking of Divine Mercy...
Divine Mercy Sunday stems from the visits of Jesus to Sr. Maria Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who recorded in a diary Jesus' messages of mercy toward the world for those who seek refuge in him. He asked her to paint an image of his mercy flowing from his heart in streams of red and white. A copy of this image hangs in the church near our confessionals, and an original painting of it by parishioner Dan Andreasen hangs in the Xavier Room.
Join us to celebrate this great feast by praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m. this Sunday, April 7, at St. Francis Xavier Church.
In her Diary, St. Maria Faustina Kowalska recorded 14 revelations from our Lord requesting this feast. The most complete, concise description is found in entry 699:
I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. ... The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.
To receive the extraordinary graces
of this feast, the only condition is to receive Holy Communion worthily on Divine Mercy Sunday (or the vigil celebration), by making a good Confession beforehand and staying in the state of grace, and receive with great trust in Divine Mercy.
of this feast, the only condition is to receive Holy Communion worthily on Divine Mercy Sunday (or the vigil celebration), by making a good Confession beforehand and staying in the state of grace, and receive with great trust in Divine Mercy.
After 40 days of (almost) no sweets, CANDY was on our mind this Easter. We asked what you were most looking forward to in your basket.
- 48 said they were eager for their Reese's (chocolate and) peanut butter egg. Two great tastes that taste great together, right? (Ed, we're glad you found one in your basket!)
- Almost as many, 46, said they were content with anything from Malley's. Oh yeah....
- 11 said jelly beans. We didn't ask which color, though...
- And shockingly, only 8 picked the classic -- Peeps! (Sorry, Beth; I guess that's just more for you!)
Well, it's that time of year when you get your pick of professional sports, because the Cleveland Cavaliers' regular season winds down April 14, while the Guardians' season is newly under way. So tell us...
Which is your favorite to watch?
Cleveland Cavaliers basketball
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Cleveland Guardians baseball
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NASCAR or Formula 1
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Youth sports
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The only sports I like are in "Damn Yankees"
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This week's bulletin is available here.
Just click on the image of this week's bulletin to be taken to a digital version. Read it for much more information than we can include in this e-newsletter!
Second Sunday of Easter
When the risen Christ encounters his disciples in the locked room, he adds a new Beatitude to the ones we’ve heard proclaimed before: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Stewards of the mysteries of God’s love do not need proof of the risen Christ. They know it because their lives have been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit who has breathed new life into them and through the Sacrament of the Eucharist which strengthens and sustains them.
As stewards of this great gift it is appropriate to reflect on how we in turn add new life into our parish communities.
Source: International Catholic Stewardship Council
We enjoyed a packed house for Easter Sunday Masses! People were standing in the back of church during the 10 a.m. Mass (pictured here), when ushers counted 627 people, and also for the 12 noon Mass, when they counted 621. So nice to see! Check page 3 of the bulletin for the full counts at church and the Performing Arts Center.
Congratulations to our neophytes!
As RCIA director Jenny Bonarrigo explains...
"Neophyte is a Greek word meaning beginner.
Neophyte literally means newly planted. (Neo = new and phyte = plant.)
So, neophyte means newly planted or newly initiated or newly baptized or beginner."
"Neophyte is a Greek word meaning beginner.
Neophyte literally means newly planted. (Neo = new and phyte = plant.)
So, neophyte means newly planted or newly initiated or newly baptized or beginner."
Mental Health Matters
Reflections from Sacred Heart Counseling
April 7, 2024
This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday, which makes it a great day to reflect on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As we know, sin cuts us off from God’s sanctifying grace. Although our sin may cut us off temporarily from sanctifying grace, it can always be regained through an honest and authentic reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Often, I hear people say that they are not deserving of God’s love because of their sinfulness. While none of us deserve God’s love, it is granted to all of us as a gift. I often meet people who believe that their sin is “different” and “worse” than the sins of their neighbor and thus feel worthless, inferior and despairing.
While there are different levels of sin and some are worse than others, we cannot get trapped in the mindset that our sins cannot be forgiven or that we are somehow special or unique in our sinfulness. If we do this, we are really doubting the amount of God’s love, which we know to be infinite and without limit. This is simply pride in a different form, since we are implying that our sins are so grand and severe that even God cannot forgive us.
Sins of any kind are a drop in the ocean compared to God’s love, mercy, and grace. If you believe you are a sinner, you are correct. However, take heart in God’s love and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation whenever you feel as if you have sinned. After you do, commit to trying harder, praying more, and move on. If you do this regularly, I will wager that your mental health will improve!
- Luke Brown, LPCC
Please pray for our recently deceased parishioner
- Patrick Cassidy, 61, husband of Mary and father of Jane, Patrick and Anne, died Thursday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, April 10, at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, with burial in our parish cemetery. The Mass will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
SPACE IS NOW FULL for our second Eucharistic Revival retreat, on April 13. Thanks to the 50 parishioners who have signed up to attend, and about 10 others who are serving on the team. It will be a wonderful day!
If you have questions, please contact Dawn Cavanaugh at dcavanaugh@sfxmedina.org.
Time is running out!
The deadline is SUNDAY to order your unique Catholic socks or stickers for Confirmation or First Communion, or any other occasion! You can check that off your list AND help our teens get to the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis this summer by purchasing socks and stickers from Sock Religious!
Click on the link below and they will be delivered in 5-7 days.
Volunteer for VBS from the comfort of your home!
We still need help making decorations for our underwater-themed Vacation Bible School the first week of June! This is a great way to earn service hours on your own schedule. Great for busy families or empty-nesters! They're not hard, and directions are available. Please click on the green button for links to preview directions for these props. Click on the purple button to let us know which one you will do! Thank you for your help!
Questions? Contact Summer Kish at skish@sfxmedina.org.
Thank you for reading, and for your continued prayers and support of St. Francis Xavier Parish!
Blessings,
Jennifer Webb
Director of Ministry & Communication
Jennifer Webb
Director of Ministry & Communication
