OUR SUNDAY’S IN APRIL 2010

Two important days impact us this month as well as two special events. First, of course, the Resurrection of the Lord- on this new day, God’s people can once again look like their Creator, and we must choose to do so. Human beings were made in the likeness and image of God, with the ability to imitate God. Jesus, who is both God and man, by His death and resurrection, restored humanity’s ability to once again fully desire what God desires.

The Sunday after Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday – the message of divine mercy is implicitly a message about the value of every human being. Each person is precious in the eyes of God. This special Sunday invites us to ponder the notion of mercy, offering forgiveness and letting someone out of a particular consequence of their sin. Pope John Paul II in his homily at the beatification of Sister Mary Faustina said…Christ gave His life for each one; to everyone the Father gives His Spirit and offers intimacy. This consoling message is addressed above all to those who, afflicted by a particularly harsh trial or crushed by the weight of the sins they committed, have lost all confidence in life and are tempted to give in to despair. How many souls have been consoled by the prayer, ‘Jesus, I trust in you!’? What a wonderful opportunity to all of this on this very special Sunday – go to confession and have all of your sins wiped away!

The two special events for us within the Archdiocese of St. Mary occurred with the ordination of The Rev. Fr. Victor Lopez, a new Priest in our Diocese of St. Francis; and the Consecration of The Most Rev. Joseph W. Veight , III as the first Bishop Ordinary for the Diocese of St. Francis and his Installation as such! Bishop Joseph was also named by Archbishop Robert Jones as interim Chancellor for the CCC. We are most grateful for the presence of The Most Rev. Peter Parvez Patras, our Bishop in Pakastan; The Most Rev. Robert Russell, The Archdiocese of St. Anthony, Monsignor Martin Boyle (the Patriarch’s long time Chaplain) and Fr. Daniel Beegan from the Archdiocese of St. John.

We also mourn with sadness, the passing of our beloved Patriarch Michael Boucher who went home to the arms of Our Lord on the early morning hours of Good Friday. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful, to the mercy of God, rest in peace, AMEN

The Most Rev. John P. Walzer, D.D. Archbishop