Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 3:13-15, 17-19
Ps 4:2,4,7-9
1 Jn 2:1-5a
Lk 24:35-48

• How might the power of Jesus' resurrection more effectively shape life within you family, religious community or parish?


• How would you describe to someone else the effects of Easter on you own identity as a Christian?


• In what ways does the church's mission flow from Jesus' resurrection?
  What should be the emphases of the mission?

Celebrate MARY the Mother of Jesus
The month of May is traditionally the time the people from many cultures and generations have shown a special devotion to Mary. Mary's "yes" to doing God's will is a good example for all believers. The Church focuses on her during two months of the year' May and October. In May, we experience the new life of spring and celebrate Mary as the Mother of the Life-Giving Savior and Mother of God's people, the Church.

Ideas For Families To Celebrate Mary In May

• Create a space in a prominent place in your home where a favorite statue or picture of Mary can be placed for the month of May. Family members can take turns putting fresh flowers or other "treasure" around the shrine daily. Gather together nightly for prayer.


• In the spring, plant a small flower garden in a flower box or in our yard in honor of Mary. In October, cut and place these flowers at a special place dedicated to Mary in your home.

Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Mary, Mother of Mercy, pray for us.

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WHY GO TO CHURCH?
A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them...So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher.

"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this..They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!" Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

Second Sunday of Easter

The Lord is risen! Alleluia! Let us give thanks and be glad!

Acts 4:32-35
Ps 118:2-4,13-15,22-24
1 Jn 5:1-6
Jn 20:19-31

DID YOU KNOW?

• Confirmation is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation.


• The three Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.


• In the Eastern Church, infants receive all three Sacraments of Initiation at once.


• The Western Church separates these Sacraments over time to allow for a gradula catechesis.


• The Sacrament of Confirmation brings about a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit.


• The gifts of the Spirit are given in Confirmation


• They are Wisdom, Understanding, Right Judgment, Knowledge, Courage, Reverence, and Wonder (Awe).


• The bishop has a significant role in Confirmation in the Western Church.

THE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH

1. Participate in the Sunday Eucharist and refrain from unnecessary work on the Sabbath.


2. Receive Holy Communion during Easter time.


3. Confess serious sins at least once a year.


4. Observe the marriage laws of the Church.


5. Help support the Church.


6. Do penance, abstaining from meat and fasting from food on the appointed days.


7. Join the missionary and apostolate of the the Church.

The Commandments of the Church emerged during the Middle ages. The Commandments of the Church foster a sense of personal responsibility.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT WORRY

Fear is most commonly manifested in our lives through worry. Worry is fear directed toward the negative possibilities in the future. Here are a few good reasons NOT to worry.

• It doesn't do any good. In fact it can do great harm by creating negative expectations, which bring their own fulfillment.


• It robs us of our ability to live fully in the now. If we cannot live well in the present, we will not be able to make an adequate response in those future circumstances that we so dread.


• God's providence does rule our lives. Everything will work out in the long run.

We should remember that the future, about which we worry so much, is not yet real. We must make preparations to live it when it comes, but we should do so in trust that we will have what we need when we need it.

Palm Sunday

Mk. 11:1-10 (or Jn. 12:12-16, 38)
Is. 50:4-7
Ps. 22:8-9,17-18a, 19-20,23-24
Phil. 2:6-11
Mk. 14:1-15,47 (or 15:1-39)

OPERATION RICE BOWL
    The story of the anointing of Jesus is one of the few stories that appears in all four Gospels. As people begin to grumble about the cost and waste of perfume, Jesus responds: "You always have the poor with you and any time you want you can do something good for them."
    As we continue our Operation Rice Bowl journey let us remember in prayer that as the community of faith, we have an obligation to reach our to those in need. The Gospel specifically calls us to take action on behalf of the most vulnerable members of society. May our fasting move us to action on behalf of the poor. May our almgiving assist Catholic Relief Services programming in the United States. 78% of your gifts to the Operation Rice Bowl support Catholic Relief Service prorams around the world. The remaining 22% of you contributions stay in the dioceses in the U.S. to assist local hunger and poverty alleviation programs.

When you bring your contributions please mark "RICE BOWL" on the envelope and place in the collection. Thank you for all your support.