The post-Resurrection apostolic community was nothing like the group we hear about in the Acts of the Apostles.  There was Peter, the Rock on whom the Lord would build his Church.  Peter was devastated by his triple denial of Christ in the courtyard of the high priest.  There was John, the evangelist, crushed by the death of the savior he loved.  The other disciples were overwhelmed with the same fear that caused them to flee when Jesus was arrested.  Depressed and frightened the apostles were in hiding for fear that they would meet the same end as the Lord. Altogether, they were a sad lot to behold.

            It was to this group that Jesus appeared on Easter Sunday night.  "Peace be with you," he said to them. Then he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive man's sins, they are forgiven them; if you hold them bound, they are held bound."  One of the signs of Jesus' presence in his people is his peace.  The "peace" of Jesus comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  All of us who follow the Lord are called to share his peace with others.

            Jesus challenges his apostles to be a community of forgiveness.  The Lord forgave them for abandoning him; they in turn must bring forgiveness to others.  It was this healing gift of the Holy Spirit that transformed the apostles into the community described in the Acts of the Apostles.  The power of the early church came directly from the Spirit.  Today we need to pray for that same Spirit.  In the power Holy Spirit we too can become a community of Christ's peace and forgiveness. 

EASTER THANKS

            We have much to be thankful for this Easter season.  Many people worked very hard to make the liturgies for Holy Week and Easter so beautiful.  They include: those who cleaned and decorated the church, the choir, our cantors, lectors, and of course you, the congregation.  My special thanks to Carl Chadek and his assisting musicians, and to Fr. Arthur Olsen, and deacons, Donald Wehling and Daniel Welter, for leading us in the liturgies of the Holy Triduum, and for the inspirational homilies.  Our congregation was also blessed to share in the joy of our catechumens, candidates, and those completing their sacraments of initiation, as they entered into full communion with our Catholic community at the Easter Vigil.   

THE SUNDAY OF MERCY

            ...will be celebrated today, the Second Sunday of Easter.  The church will remain open and the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed after the Noon Mass.  Confessions will be heard from 2 till 3 PM.  We will pray the chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Litany of Divine Mercy at 3 PM, followed by Benediction.  Please join us for this celebration of our Savior’s Divine Mercy.