From the Pastor’s desk— May 4, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

Are you still remembering your alleluias? Our lilies in church have held out, but their blooms will soon be disappearing. Very much like the spiritual life, a Christian can sometimes feels spiritually dried up or weak in their walk with the Lord. However, when life seems most darkened, that is when we most look for Christ to be our light. That’s why our hope must stay strong and our alleluias ringing well after the lilies have withered.

Speaking of Hope, Pope Francis before he died opened for the church a Jubilee Year of Hope. In the world, “hope” is often talked about like it’s wishful thinking. For example, “I hope I get a good job, but I might not find one.” Christian Hope is not like that. Christian hope is the expectation we have of heaven. God promised to raise us from the dead to new life, and so we expect to rise again to new life. That’s what it means for example in Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

This world is full of uncertainty, but the world to come is being prepared for just for us. Jesus said in John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? He has also said in Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” And we see in the Acts of the Apostles how he led them out of prison with his angels.

Do not be afraid of the dangerous and troubles of this life, but walk confidently in God. Let this Easter season be a reminder of the hope that you have in Jesus. Have faith and hope in Him.

Fr. Joseph