A Letter from Fr. Paul - APril 1, 2018

The Lord is truly risen!!! Alleluia!!! Alleluia!!!

Our Holy Week services were beautiful and spiritually inspiring. I thank all those who contributed their time and talent to make them happen: liturgical ministers, musicians, environment, etc. Kathy Wellenstein does a great job of orchestrating it all! I also thank Br. Silas Henderson SDS for our Lenten series and for the ongoing reflection on Sunday’s scriptures every Friday after the 8 am Mass. Join us for a thoughtful and inspiring discussion.

In the Scripture readings over the Sundays of Easter time, we will accompany Jesus’ disciples as sorrow and confusion are turned to joy and finally, with the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, to a certainty that emboldens them to go forth and share the Good News. It begins with our Easter morning account in which Mary of Magdala runs to get Peter and John. The next week it is the disciples in a locked room, first without doubting Thomas and then with him. Then comes another appearance in the upper room.

In all of these Gospel appearances, Jesus is trying to convince and assure incredulous disciples: He is truly risen, He is truly with them. Meanwhile, in the first reading these Sundays, we experience the disciples, emboldened with the Holy Spirit, fearlessly preaching and healing. What a difference the Holy Spirit made in the life of these disciples!

That, my friends, is the process we are in. As we march through our lives that are a mixture of joys and sorrows, confusions and peaceful certitudes, our annual “remembrance” and walking with Jesus through His Death and Resurrection are meant to embolden us, that we may live our Christian life in such a way as to proclaim the Good News. And, of course, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit, as those first disciples eventually received!

May our celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior strengthen us to share God’s love and mercy with all we meet. Happy Easter!

-- Paul James Portland, SDS