Dear Friends,
May the peace of the Risen Christ be with you! We have been carrying you in our prayers during this difficult time. As we continue to live this most unusual Easter Season, I am reminded of a story a priest once shared with me. He had been traveling in the Holy Land and was excited to celebrate Mass at the Holy Sepulchre. As he prepared for the Mass, his thoughts went to Holy Saturday and Christ in the tomb. But, as he began to look at the text of the Mass, he saw that it resounded with the glory and triumph of Easter. He said, "I realized the site of Christ's tomb is not primarily the site of Holy Saturday...it is the site of Easter Sunday!" How easily we, too, forget this truth!
As we experience the sorrow and confusion of this time of pandemic, we may only be able to see "Holy Saturday." Let us remember, in faith, that Christ has risen. He has conquered death and sin and sorrow. We are a people of hope, an Easter people.
In only a few short weeks, we will celebrate the great feast of Pentecost, the sending of the Holy Spirit. Let us fervently pray: Lord, send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth! As those who so faithfully labor to build a culture of life, you know more than anyone that our world has been in need of renewal for a long time. Our culture has been plagued with irreverence for life and with sins against the sacredness of human life. May this "tomb" of the pandemic become the occasion for Resurrection and for a New Pentecost in our land and in our hearts.
We continue to serve during this time in sharing the Gospel of Life. Please keep us in your prayers!
1. We have continued to share the truth of the dignity of the human person with young people through virtual classroom visits and webinars. This time of quarantine has brought about a widespread awareness of our responsibility to protect others. We pray that, in this, young people would recognize their duty to protect all life.
2. As abortion clinics have remained open in New York and deemed "essential," we continue to support local pregnancy centers in their efforts to offer women life-giving alternatives to abortion.
3. We invite you to attend the free Theology of the Body Virtual Conference this weekend. Hear from excellent Catholic speakers who will share the beauty and dignity of the human person and God's plan for our flourishing.
4. Good news! A new maternity home is opening in Orange County: Faith House for Mothers and Children. This is a tremendous blessing for which we thank God! There are already women who are ready to move in. They are still in the process of hiring a residential house manager. If you know of anyone who may be interested in this position or in volunteering and supporting their mission, please direct them to the website.
May is the month of Our Lady! She is our hope and consolation. We invite you to join in a new global initiative to spread hope through the intercession of Mary. The Map of Hope unites people from around the world in praying the rosary to spread hope! We invite you to join in!
During this month of May, we honor the heroic love and sacrifices of mothers throughout the world and give thanks to God for them! We ask you to include in your prayers all expectant mothers, especially those who are afraid and are facing challenges. May Mary, the Mother of Life, watch over and protect each of them. Consider praying the rosary for a mother in need of prayer this Mother's Day!
"The most important person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral - a dwelling for an immortal soul."
- Cardinal Mindszenty
- Cardinal Mindszenty
#GivingTuesday
As you know, many parishes and ministries will face substantial difficulties in the near future due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is much to be done as we rebuild our local Church in order to make Christ and His healing message known to all.
In the spirit of a special Giving Tuesday—held today as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19—we humbly ask you to consider contributing to the spiritual and pastoral life of the Archdiocese. If your financial circumstances permit, please consider making a gift to the 2020 Cardinal’s Annual Stewardship Appeal. Your support of the Appeal is crucial, and it ensures that we continue to answer the Lord’s call to serve the most vulnerable. Our ministry, and many others, would not be possible without the financial support of the Appeal.