Happy Easter
The Lord Is Risen, Alleluia!
Dear parishioners, this Sunday we celebrate the most solemn, most important feast in our Catholic Church which is the Resurrection of the Lord. In fact, this feast is at the heart of all our sacramental, liturgical and, above all, our spiritual life. St. Paul tells us: “If Jesus is not raised from the dead, our preaching is in vain and we are the most pitiable of men” (1 Cor 15:14). In other words, If Jesus was not raised from the dead, Christianity is a fraud and a joke. However, If he did rise from death, that means that Jesus is who says he IS, the Son of God; and he DID resurrect therefore he has to be the ultimate center of our lives. There is no third option. It is through this paschal mystery that we all are embraced back God. All our sins, divisions, vices, violence and human disorders are washed away through Jesus on the cross. The good news is that through this tragic event Jesus has restored our relationship with the Father which was lost since the beginning of the creation. His resurrection is our resurrection. Let the miracle of the resurrection of Our Lord resonate in our hearts so that we may be transformed by it and share the joy that comes from it. As Pope Francis said “Faith in the resurrection of Jesus and the hope He has brought to us is the most beautiful gift that a Christian can and must offer his brothers and sisters.” On behalf of Fr. Walter, myself and all of us here at Mary Immaculate we want to wish you and your families a blessed and happy Easter!
God bless you,
Fr. Abel Loera,
Pastor
Rejoice and Be Glad“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad” (Psalm 118:24). Let us remember that these words of today’s responsorial psalm are not only sung from the hearts of those gathered in our parish. They are also sung by the poor in tiny barrios throughout Central and South America. They are sung by those denied religious freedom in our world; these Christians lift their voices in clandestine places of worship. These words are sung by people who have lost loved ones to acts of terrorism and war around the globe. Even in the midst of conflict and division, Christians still come together to declare that poverty, loneliness, violence, and division will never, ever have as much power as the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Indeed, let us rejoice this day and be glad!
Readings for the Week
Monday: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; Mt 28:8-15
Tuesday: Acts 2:36-41; Ps 33:4-5, 18-20, 22; Jn 20:11-18
Wednesday: Acts 3:1-10; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Lk 24:13-35
Thursday: Acts 3:11-26; Ps 8:2, 5-9; Lk 24:35-48
Friday: Acts 4:1-12; Ps 118:1-2, 4, 22-27; Jn 21:1-14
Saturday: Acts 4:13-21; Ps 118:1, 14-21; Mk 16:9-15
Sunday: Acts 2:42-47; Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24; 1 Pt 1:3-9; Jn 20:19-31
Saints & Special Observances
Sunday: Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
Monday: Monday within the Octave of Easter; Income Tax Day
Tuesday: Tuesday within the Octave of Easter
Wednesday: Wednesday within the Octave of Easter
Thursday: Thursday within the Octave of Easter
Friday: Friday within the Octave of Easter
Saturday: Saturday within the Octave of Easter; Earth Day
Did You Know?
Pray for the healing of abuse victims
Each of us, as members of our Catholic community, can contribute to the healing by remembering survivors of abuse in our prayers. The following prayer is from the USCCB.
Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts, heal your people’s wounds and transform brokenness into wholeness. Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace, to act with justice. Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labors. Grant that all harmed by abuse may find justice. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.