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.