Pastor's Message
April 12, 2024
Friday of the Second Week of Easter
May your people exult forever, O God, in renewed youthfulness of spirit, so that, rejoicing now in the restored glory of our adoption, we may look forward in confident hope to the rejoicing of the day of resurrection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Collect for the Mass on the Third Sunday of Easter
Friday of the Second Week of Easter
May your people exult forever, O God, in renewed youthfulness of spirit, so that, rejoicing now in the restored glory of our adoption, we may look forward in confident hope to the rejoicing of the day of resurrection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
Collect for the Mass on the Third Sunday of Easter
As we continue in the Easter Season, the fifty days between Easter and Pentecost, the focus of the Church's liturgy is on the Risen Christ.
This Sunday's Gospel Reading (Luke 24:35-48)recounts another appearance of the Risen Christ to His disciples on Easter Sunday. Two disciples, who had met Him on the road to Emmaus, return to Jerusalem. Despite initially rejecting the news of the Resurrection, Jesus accompanies them in their distress and explains the meaning of the Scriptures to them, setting their hearts on fire.
After recognizing Jesus in the Breaking of the Bread, a clear reference to the Eucharist and the Mass, they return to Jerusalem to share with their fellow disciples the experience of the Risen Christ.
As they do, the resurrected Jesus appears and blesses them with the gift of Divine Peace. To show that what they are experiencing is real, He shows them the wounds of His crucifixion and eats in front of them. He then opens their minds to the meaning of those sacred wounds and of the Scriptures.
As it was for those disciples on that first Easter, so it is for us today. When we share our experience of the Risen Christ to others, whether or not they are fellow disciples, He is present among us.
Each Sunday, we unite as a community of disciples, the Church. Through prayer, hearing the Scriptures, and partaking in the Breaking of the Bread, also known as the Sacrifice of the Mass, we do not merely remember the past. Instead, we acknowledge the Resurrected Jesus present among us. He accompanies us in our distress, challenges our unbelief, reassures us in our doubts and fears, just as He did with those disciples on that first Easter Sunday.
He ignites our hearts and enlightens our minds with the gift of Divine Peace and Mercy offered through Him. The Risen Christ is in our midst. This the Church's purpose: to share our experience of the Risen Christ, to set fire their hearts, and open their minds to the Gospel's Truth.
This Sunday's Gospel Reading (Luke 24:35-48)recounts another appearance of the Risen Christ to His disciples on Easter Sunday. Two disciples, who had met Him on the road to Emmaus, return to Jerusalem. Despite initially rejecting the news of the Resurrection, Jesus accompanies them in their distress and explains the meaning of the Scriptures to them, setting their hearts on fire.
After recognizing Jesus in the Breaking of the Bread, a clear reference to the Eucharist and the Mass, they return to Jerusalem to share with their fellow disciples the experience of the Risen Christ.
As they do, the resurrected Jesus appears and blesses them with the gift of Divine Peace. To show that what they are experiencing is real, He shows them the wounds of His crucifixion and eats in front of them. He then opens their minds to the meaning of those sacred wounds and of the Scriptures.
As it was for those disciples on that first Easter, so it is for us today. When we share our experience of the Risen Christ to others, whether or not they are fellow disciples, He is present among us.
Each Sunday, we unite as a community of disciples, the Church. Through prayer, hearing the Scriptures, and partaking in the Breaking of the Bread, also known as the Sacrifice of the Mass, we do not merely remember the past. Instead, we acknowledge the Resurrected Jesus present among us. He accompanies us in our distress, challenges our unbelief, reassures us in our doubts and fears, just as He did with those disciples on that first Easter Sunday.
He ignites our hearts and enlightens our minds with the gift of Divine Peace and Mercy offered through Him. The Risen Christ is in our midst. This the Church's purpose: to share our experience of the Risen Christ, to set fire their hearts, and open their minds to the Gospel's Truth.
Our Parish
As announced on April 5, Fr. Alessandro Calderoni will transfer to serve as the associate pastor of St. Peter and St. Paul Parish in Tulsa. Fr. Gabriel Garcia, presently holding the same position at St. Peter and St. Paul, will join our parish in his stead. The transfer will occur after my return from pastoral sabbatical in mid-September.
We appreciate the exceptional turnout for our Holy Week and Easter Sunday liturgies. It was inspiring to witness so many people engaging in prayer and worship during those sacred days. We were also moved by the significant number of people participating in confession during Holy Week. Special thanks to our parish staff, deacons, music directors, choirs, musicians, and liturgical ministries for their outstanding contributions. Thank you!
We extend our condolences to the family of Cathy Perryman, particularly her husband Robert and their children. Cathy passed away on April 5 at the age of 77. Her funeral service is Saturday, April 13 at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel at 3:00 PM.
This weekend, as part of our Eucharistic Revival in our parish, there will be Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at all Masses.
Fr. Alessandro will be away this weekend to participate in a Men's Cursillo Retreat. Please keep him and all the retreatants in your prayers.
The youth of the parish are hosting a Bake Sale after all Masses this weekend, as well as serving Breakfast Burritos after the 9 AM Sunday Mass.
Newcomers Brunch
There will be brunch for all new families (2 years or newer) in McGuire Hall following the 9:00 AM Mass on April 21. New parishioners are encouraged to attend. Please see the sign up in the church commons so we can know how many people to expect.
Night of Mercy
Our next Night of Mercy will be on Wednesday, April 24 and is sponsored by the ACTS Retreat Core Team. It will start at 6:30 PM and include a Holy Hour of Adoration and Confessions.
Banns of Marriage
Marina Eklund and Cameron Palmer will be united in the Sacrament of Marriage at St. Benedict on Saturday, April 27.
First Communion
We celebrate First Holy Communion at the Saturday Vigil Mass on April 27 and the 12:00 PM Mass on April 28. Please keep these children and their families in your prayers.
St. Philip Neri Dinner and Talk
Fr. James Porter, a former associate pastor of our parish, returns on Saturday, May 4, and will join the 5:00 PM Vigil Mass. Following the Mass, a dinner in McGuire Hall features his talk on campus ministry at St. Philip Neri University Parish, where he serves as pastor. All parishioners, especially those with high school children preparing for college, are welcome to attend. Please sign up in the Commons or here on Flocknote so we know how much food to prepare.
God bless and keep you safe.
Fr. Bryan