Divine Mercy Weekend!

This is the first time for me to blog at a live event, but I am writing to you from the 110th Knights of Columbus, Kansas State Council Annual Convention in Dodge City. The convention began on Saturday morning with the Opening Mass, then it will be meetings all day until the convention banquet. On Sunday, the Convention Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral. The meeting will wrap up on Monday. Don't know if I will have a chance to blog between now and then but wanted to report on what is going on. Of course, this is a special weekend for the Catholic Church worldwide. It is Divine Mercy Sunday and what a beautiful feast to celebrate just a week removed from the great Solemnity of Easter. This Divine Mercy Sunday will also witness the Beatification of Pope John Paul II. The crowds are flocking to Rome to be present for this great event because for many, this is the only pope that they knew. To see this happen in our time is a wonderful testament to the life that our beloved Holy Father lived. He was truly a great example of faith, prayer, and service to all God's people. We thank God for the gift of Blessed John Paul II and we pray that he will continue to intercede for us as we live our lives of faith, holiness, and prayer. As Blessed John Paul II always told the people, "Be not afraid!" Let us listen to that call and trust in his intercession. May we be strengthened by celebrating our Easter joy and faith. May the risen Christ always light our path as we follow in his footsteps. May we always be merciful to our brothers and sisters as Christ is merciful to us. Wishing you a joyous and blessed weekend!!!

Easter Octave

We continue this week of celebration as we rejoice in the great news that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. All this week, we hear the stories of the disciples who encountered the risen Lord and their reaction. They did not recognize him until a certain event happened. Mary Magdalene was weeping by the tomb when she encountered the risen Jesus. She did not recognize him until he called her by name. The disciples on the road to Emmaus did not recognize Jesus but their hearts were burning as he talked to them. Then, at the breaking of the bread, they recognized it was Jesus and he vanished from their sight. Jesus showed the disciples the nail marks in his hands and the wound in his side to prove to them that he had indeed risen to new life. I think about what Jesus said to Thomas when he refused to believe until he put his finger in the nailmarks and his hand into his side, "Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed." That is us! We have not seen but we believe in the resurrection from the dead. In fact, we profess this belief each week when we recite the Nicene Creed at Mass. We pray that as we continue to celebrate the great Solemnity of Easter that our faith will be strengthened and we will not be afraid to proclaim this Good News with great joy. God Bless You!!!

Personal Note: Over the next week or so, the blog might be updated or the same post for a couple days since I will be away for the Knights of Columbus State Convention and some vacation time. Please know of my prayers for you!!!

Easter Monday!

A Happy and Blessed Easter to you!!! Don't think that Easter is only one Sunday a year. In fact, it is celebrated for 50 days, but more importantly, every Sunday is a celebration of the Resurrection. As I told the people gathered for Mass this morning, you saw how full our churches were on Easter Sunday. If everyone had that attitude that every Sunday is a celebration of Easter, then our churches should be full all the time. One of the commentaries for Easter stated, "It is a celebration of Jesus' victory over death - and of our own victory over eternal death. It is a celebration of Jesus' promise that anyone who hears his word and believes has eternal life (John 5:24). It's a celebration of the amazing promise that we have died with Christ and are now raised up with him to a whole new life (Romans 6:4)" (The Word Among Us, 73). Of course, this is the good news of great joy that we live with everyday of our lives. We are a redeemed and resurrection people because of Jesus' death on the cross and his rising to new life. Let us rejoice in these days of Easter and let us do our part as disciples to proclaim the Good News that Jesus Christ has truly risen from the dead. Peace to you! Alleluia!!!

Easter Greetings!

Easter weekend has arrived! Congratulations to all those who have been journeying through the RCIA process and will be welcomed into the Church this Easter. This is truly the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad. Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. He has broken the bonds of sin and death. We are a resurrection people, Amen, Alleluia! Wishing all of you a Happy and Blessed Easter Weekend and Season!!!

Good Friday

This is a special day to remember God's great love and what His Son, Jesus, did for us. Every time we look at a crucifix or cross, we are reminded how much God loves us and that we have been forgiven of our sins by our Lord's passion and death on the cross. The tree of torture and shame has now become the tree of life. Take the time today to attend the service at your parish. The Commemoration of the Lord's Passion is a beautiful service and it truly says why we are in church this day. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to pick up our cross and follow him. Let us do so with unwavering faith and patience. May these beautiful words guide us today and everyday, "We adore you O Christ and we praise you." "For by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world!" God Bless!!!

Holy Thursday

The Easter Triduum begins this evening. These are the three days that lead up to the great Solemnity of Easter. Two celebrations can take place on this day. The first is the Chrism Mass, where the oils are blessed and the priests renew their priestly promises. Most dioceses have already celebrated their respective Chrism Masses, but it is a Mass that can be celebrated on this Holy Thursday. The second Mass is the Mass of the Lord's Supper that takes place in the evening. The highlights of this Mass are the call to service, which is a call for priests and people alike. That call is symbolized by the washing of feet that takes place at the Mass. Also, the institution of the Eucharist is the key to this evening celebration. On the night before he died for us, Jesus ate the Last Supper with his disciples. At that meal, Jesus took bread and said this is my body. Then he took the cup of wine and said this is my blood. We are to celebrate this memorial until he returns at the end of time. We continue to follow the mandate of the Lord, celebrate the Eucharist and be of service to our brothers and sisters. May our efforts be renewed and strengthened as we celebrate this holy day! Have a blessed Holy Thursday!!!

Wednesday of Holy Week

Today is commonly known as "Spy Wednesday." The Catholic Source Book states: "Spy Wednesday- the Wednesday of Holy Week, alluding to Judas agreeing with the Sanhedrin to betrayal (Mt. 26:3-5, 14-16)" (246). The stage is set for what is to take place beginning on Holy Thursday. There is still time for us to prepare to celebrate the Easter Triduum with mind and heart renewed. Take the time for prayer, do some spiritual/scriptural reading, and if you still have the opportunity, make time for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I have been taking the time this week to spend the evening in the confessional at my three parishes. This evening will be the last session and I thank those people who have taken the time to return to the sacrament, especially those who have been away for a number of years. Of course, if people have gone elsewhere for confession, that is fine, as long as they go. Also, take the opportunity to attend the Easter Triduum in your parishes: Holy Thursday evening, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday. This is the culmination of our liturgical year. We are celebrating the events that led to our salvation so this is a time to rejoice and be thankful to God because of His great love for us. Have a blessed day!!!