Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Pope Francis added an additional Marian day to the Roman Calendar that will occur on a fixed date every year.  It is called the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, or B. Mariæ Virginis, Ecclesiæ Matris.  The Memorial occurs on the Monday following Pentecost Sunday.

Why did Pope Francis add this the Roman Calendar? The Holy Father wishes to promote this devotion in order to “encourage the growth of the maternal sense of the Church in the pastors, religious and faithful, as well as a growth of genuine Marian piety."

My Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

As missionary disciples, we are witnesses to Jesus not only to our community, but to our brothers and sisters of tomorrow. We are tasked by God, as every generation is, to be good stewards of the gifts that God has given us for both the present and the future.

Many of us have experienced the beauty of the church in our local parishes, Catholic Schools or in the ministries of the Diocese. All of these were brought forth by the sacrifice, generosity, and love of generations before us.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Several years ago, as I hiked 125 miles along the Camino in Spain, I came across a vandalized STOP sign.  In addition to STOP, someone added complaining.  My friend,  Fr. Richard, took a picture and sent me a copy.  With this one photo, he challenged me to check my attitude.  How do I deal with things when things don’t go my way? How do I deal with hot weather, scandals and frustrating politics, along with the regular challenges of daily life?

I was reminded of this STOP sign when I read from the Book of Exodus during Lent.  It is  stunning how the Israelites complain during the exodus. As God liberates them from Egyptian bondage, they are so forgetful. Israel’s response to their deliverance is not praise and trust. Instead, they are grumbling, complaining and quarreling.  

"And so with provident pastoral sensitivity and in order to impress deeply on the souls of the faithful these precepts and teachings of the Christian faith, the Supreme Pontiff, John Paul II, moved by the consideration of the Father of Mercy, has willed that the Second Sunday of Easter be dedicated to recalling with special devotion these gifts of grace and gave this Sunday the name, "Divine Mercy Sunday" (Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Decree Misericors et miserator, 5 May 2000).

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Happy Easter to all of you and a special welcome to all of our visitors! I pray as you celebrate Easter Mass with us you may come to know the peace of God in your hearts now and always. You are always welcome to come and to thank God for His many blessings most especially His Son who has risen from the dead!