From the Pastor – April 11, 2021

“COME, O FAITHFUL, AND TAKE LIGHT FROM THE LIGHT THAT NEVERFADES; COME AND GLORIFY CHRIST WHO IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD.” (A TriduumSourcebook, II, p. 228).
 While Holy Week, the Triduum, and Easter were differentthis year because of COVID-19, at least we were able to have people in church.Last year we were on lockdown, and there were only 4 of us in the church. The Easterservices are always meaningful, and I am grateful to all of you who were ableto join us in church and on live stream.
 The 50-Day Period of Mystagogia gives us an opportunity toreflect more deeply on the resurrection and its impact on our lives. Theresurrection has transformed us into a people renewed in hope and new life.This means that we are a different people because Jesus has given us a newperspective on life. As a result, who we are as God’s people, what we believe,and what we say and do are supposed to reflect this new life in Jesus.
 In today’s Gospel, Jesus meets the apostles who are hidingbecause they think they will also be killed like Jesus. But Thomas needed tosee the wounds on Jesus before he would believe. Sometimes we need signs to beconvinced that Jesus is present in our lives. It’s not that we don’t believe,but sometimes we need something more to help us believe better. The Word and theBreaking of the Bread are what can convince us that Jesus is present in life.In addition, sometimes events happen, or people walk into our lives, and that alsohelps to convince us. Our faith is in a God who has called us all by name,revealed his love for us in Christ Jesus, and calls us to follow the examplethat Jesus has set for us. Hopefully, the Easter Season will help us as wereflect on the presence of the Risen Christ in life.
  HAPPY EASTER SEASON!!
FR. JOE