Dear Parishioners:
JESUS IS RISEN … … ALLELUIA!!! a familiar phrase for all Christians, but so special for all of us to proclaim not just with our lips but living as witnesses to this new reality. May the “risen Christ” bless you and all your families in this Holy Easter Season and throughout the whole year.
Beginning last Sunday (April 19), we will alternate our streaming live Mass at Prince of Peace then at St. Gabriel (April 26) until we are permitted to celebrate Mass publicly with our perspective parish communities.
- Scripture Reading for this Third Sunday of Easter is the most well-known of these stories - the Emmaus Journey, where the two disciples of Jesus met but didn’t recognize the Risen Christ on the way. It serves as a transition between the events of the Passion and discovery of the tomb and the appearance tradition. It is different from the other resurrection appearances because the Lord disappears at the moment of recognition.
The Emmaus Journey (Lk 24:13-35) serves as a bridge between the empty tomb (Lk 24:1-12) and Jesus' self-revelation to his apostles (Lk 24:36-49) immediately following the Emmaus disciples' meal, their recognition of Jesus, and hasty return to Jerusalem.
The believer encounters the Risen Christ. His followers saw, touched, and heard the voice of the Risen Christ. We, today at Eucharist, see, hear, and touch Christ today through the sacraments, through shared witness and service to others. Unfortunately, during these days of “stay at home” order, we even more hunger as we pray at livestreaming live Mass with the Spiritual Communion.
- Please keep our Catechumens and Candidates in the C.I.A. who are anticipating to be Baptized and Confirmed, but still awaiting (???) because of the ban on public worship gathering that they may continue to persevere in growing in a deeper relationship with our Risen Lord.
- Please, also, keep our Confirmation Candidates (High School aged and Baptized Catholic Adult) in your prayer as they’re preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Gabriel Church at 7:00 PM on Wednesday May 6, by Bishop Eusebio Elizondo but now still in doubt (???)
- Please, also, keep the children who are preparing for First Holy Communion in your prayer; their special day will be Saturday, May 9 at the 6:30 PM Mass but now also still in doubt (???)
- We have celebrated “Divine Mercy Sunday” last week; this was a feast where even the worst “sinners” are called to receive God’s incredible “Mercy and Love”. Praying the “Chaplet of Divine Mercy” is a meaningful way for individual or family in this Easter Season and beyond to continue receiving God’s Mercy and Graces. Please check the parish website for accurate time of the day to join us in this meaningful tradition.
- Continue this inspiring poem by a Capuchin Friar from Ireland from last week bulletin. It will give you and others hope and encouragement during this “Great Unknown” as we cope with COVID19. "Lockdown" by Brother Richard Hendrick.
… … … … Continue from last week bulletin … …
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbors in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So, we pray and we remember that
Yes, there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes, there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes, there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes, there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes, there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
- May we become alive in the Grace of the Risen Christ to live every moments of this Easter Season.
Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Phuong Hoang