Today’s reading from the Gospel of John is proclaimed on the Second Sunday of Easter in each of the lectionary cycles. This fact alone should alert us to the significance of the encounters with the resurrected Jesus that are described in this reading. This Gospel combines two scenes: Jesus’ appearance to his disciples after his Resurrection and Jesus’ dialogue with Thomas, the disciple who doubted.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun; as Jesus was sent by God, so Jesus sends his disciples. He gives his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit so that they will be able to accomplish this task. Jesus’ words to his disciples also highlight the integral connection between the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. With the grace of the Holy Spirit, we can share forgiveness and reconciliation with others.

Within normal family life, there are many opportunities for conflict. Jesus did not promise us the absence of conflict in our lives. Instead, he gave us the gifts of peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation so that we could reduce conflict. The measure of Christian family life is not the absence of conflict, but the way conflict is resolved. Filled with the gift of the Holy Spirit, we ask Jesus to help us to bring peace and forgiveness to situations of conflict in our families.

In the Jubilee Year 2000, Pope John Paul II proclaimed that from that year forward the Second Sunday of Easter would be celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday. This was proclaimed at the Canonization Mass of St. Faustina Kawalska, who worked throughout her life to make all aware of the merciful love of God. 

In her years in the convent, St. Faustina heard a call from God to make God’s mercy known to the world so that the world may more fully receive God’s healing grace.

When celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday, the faithful are called to reflect more personally on the graces won through the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this way their hearts may be more fully aware of the mercy of God for them personally and for the sake of the world.

Thank You!

On behalf of our Clergy Team: Fr. Jim Chepponis, Fr. Jim Bedillion, Deacon Bill Batz, Deacon Larry Sutton, Deacon Joe Kralik and myself, we wish to thank everyone for their support of the parish:

• A note of thanks for those who worked so hard during the Season of Lent to make our Fish Dinners so successful!  Those who worked behind the scene (about 200 people) and for those who purchased the delicious food!
• Thanks to those who made Holy Week and Easter so beautiful and spiritual.  Incorporating the challenges of the pandemic was no easy task!  Thanks to the musicians, cantors, sacristans, those who ministered at the altar: serving as Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, the church decorators, the technology team who made it possible for those at home to join the faith community, the office staff who helped so many people on the phone or in person, the maintenance team who cleaned and prepared the churches and the people who carried the cross on Good Friday.
• Thanks to all who donated to the sock collection.  We collected 1344 pairs of socks1  (yes we counted them!)  The socks will be donated to those who minister to the homeless.

As we continue to celebrate the Easter Season (our parish feast!), may all we do give Glory to God!