Dear Friends In Christ,

In today's Gospel Jesus tells the disciples, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you." We find this as Jesus begins the Last Supper Discourse. He is inviting the disciples to reflect on the peace that only comes from heaven. He knows full well that He will be crucified in the name of peace. The authorities believe that things will be better if He is not present. Because of this, they seek to attain peace through violence. Any peace attained in this way cannot last. This is precisely what Jesus is reminding his disciples, He offers a peace that truly endures.

Dear Friends,

A very happy Sunday to you! I would like to consider once again during the month of May the Mother of God, especially this special title which honors her maternity. In Greek, this term is Theotokos, which means "God-bearer". Mary, having given birth to Jesus Christ, is forever called the Mother of God. This esteemed role is one that brings us confidence. God, not satisfied to merely send His Son for our salvation, also raises a lowly woman of Israel to be a pivotal instrument in this drama. She no longer stands as a face in the crowd, but the one who is blessed "among women".

Christians to echo, especially Christian mothers. Those beautiful words, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38), can become our prayer too.

As Christians, we are not called to wait on the sidelines, but to join the hymn that says, "Let it be to me according to your word." Our prayer, our relationship with God, is meant to overflow our hearts. Prayer is not merely a passive activity, but active as well. At Mass, before the "Holy, holy, holy" we say, "May our voices join with theirs", that is, with the choirs of angels. God invites our prayer to move us to action, maintaining an awareness of His presence all the while. In the same way that Mary's "yes" gave life to the Word of God, Jesus Christ, so we are called to receive the invitation and give life to God's Word in the world.

This week our parish is very fortunate to be able to host the heart of St. John Vianney. This special relic has been on a tour of the United States and we are grateful to welcome it here. It will be available for veneration from 7pm-10pm tomorrow, May 6. St. John Vianney was a parish priest from France who served in Ars from after the French Revolution until his death in 1859. He is the patron saint of parish priests. Among the many things he is famous foris that he would often spend 12 hours a day hearing confessions. He was said to have the gift of reading hearts. This beautiful prayer is one that he often prayed: