Happy Easter!

Our Easter season is almost complete and what a joyous time of the year for many of us here at St. Joan of Arc. On May 9th we had many of our students receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Holy Communion celebrated by Bishop Emeritus Thomas Olmsted! We are reminded of the Advocate that will come at Pentecost from this weekend’s Gospel:

Happy Sunday!

Habemus papam! We have a Pope as of May 8th and he is Leo XIV from Chicago, USA! As I was driving down the 51 the announcement was made and for the first time in my life, I was able to know and understand the announcement in its entirety and be filled with so much joy as an American pope was selected to be the Vicar of Christ and take on the Chair of Peter. Truly a remarkable gift to the entire church and world.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Today we pause for a brief moment to offer our gratitude for the gift of motherhood. We are blessed here at St. Joan of Arc to have so many mothers surrounding us with a care similar to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It’s fitting to offer an entire month dedicated to our Blessed Mother. We have a tradition here at St. Joan of Arc that honors her on this day and we continue to place ourselves under her mantle.

I eat breakfast. If I don’t have something substantial, I’m fading by mid-morning. Breakfast is my key meal because it sets up my physical well-being for the rest of the day.

Spiritually speaking, we need sustenance to get us going. This is true for the Apostles in this Sunday’s remarkable Gospel reading. The risen Jesus makes His third appearance to them in the early morning light and calls, “Come, have breakfast” (John 21:12).

Happy Divine Mercy Sunday!

One of the most impactful moments of my life revolved around my first experience of Divine Mercy through praying the chaplet. The beautiful and meditative words “for the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world” resonates with those who hear this prayer. The image of the Divine Mercy helps us receive those words and offer them for our loved ones.

Christ is Risen!

“Sole Author of redeeming grace, exalted Savior of the world, O Christ, our King, grant us this day the glory of your fruitful Cross.” The Holy Saturday vespers hymn opening line captures what we anticipate in celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his death He destroyed and by his life He restored our life.

Happy Palm Sunday!

Our processional antiphon reads: “As the Lord entered the holy city, the children of the Hebrews proclaimed the resurrection of life. Waving their branches of palm, they cried: “Hosanna in the highest.” The cry of the people is Hosanna which means “save us!”. This dramatic Palm Sunday entry recognizes the fulfillment of the prophecy of an eternal kingship of David’s line.

Happy Laetare Sunday!

As we enter into this fourth week of Lent known as Laetare Sunday, we rejoice at the journey thus far. The inspiration comes from the entrance chant when the priest, deacon, and servers approach the altar. This fragment of sacred scripture prepares our hearts and minds for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.

Happy Lent!

This past Sunday, several men, women, and children’s names were enrolled into the Book of the Elect. These “Elect” from our community will receive some attention and many blessings. Beginning the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays in Lent you will notice the newly “Elect” receive three successive rites called “the Scrutinies.”

St. Thomas Aquinas said that friends share three things: time, possessions, and secrets. For example, how do I know if you’re my friend? Well, let’s say we’ve been to Mexico together, you’ve tried my shaky attempts at pasta carbonara, and you know what ridiculous costume I wore in a music video I filmed in my early twenties. We, dear reader, are definitely friends. We’ve shared time, possessions, and secrets.

Happy Lent!

It has only been a few days of Lent and I am sure you have already been tempted. Throughout our history of salvation, the Lord used 40 days to prepare for something great. Each year we are challenged to invite the Lord to stay close to us during our penitential season of Lent. We cry out like the psalmist: “Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.” When we do find ourselves in trouble our hope comes from the Lord.

Happy Sunday!

Our long anticipated season of Lent is upon us. Thousands of people rush to be reminded “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” These ashes and words equip us to be challenged for the next forty days as we enter our Easter pilgrimage. As Lent begins and with any pilgrimage, that means we are going somewhere.