This weekend has been designated Divine Mercy Sunday. This Feast was granted to the Universal Church by Pope John Paul II Sr. Faustina was canonized on 30 April 2000. The decree establishing this feast stated that "throughout the world the Second Sunday of Easter will receive the name Divine Mercy Sunday, a perennial invitation to the Christian world to face, with confidence in divine benevolence, the difficulties and trials that mankind will experience in the years to come."
Today's gospel features one of the post-resurrection appearances recorded in John's gospel. Jesus empowers the apostles to forgive sins and bring this divine mercy through the sacrament of reconciliation. Also, this Sunday is the day chosen for the canonization of Pope's John Paul II and John XXIII. We will have the bell tower chapel stocked with candles for the weekend.
You'll be seeing some mail from the parish in the days ahead. The first is the annual kick-off letter for the CSA
(Catholic Services Appeal). Please be generous in supporting the many, and often under-appreciated, services provided by the Archdiocese. Also, I've written an information letter to assist you in scheduling your photography session for our pictorial directory in early June.
Looking ahead: next Sunday, May 4th, our parish celebrates First Communion next Sunday at the 10:00am mass, and May crowning after the noon mass. Let's keep our first communion candidates in prayer during their final week of preparation.