Dear St. Louis Parishioners,
Alleluia! He is Risen. His Resurrection affords us the gift of new life. So much more
awaits us beyond the tomb. The Risen Christ had different ways of coming to meet His people in the Gospel. Some, He found weeping at His tomb, remaining in their grief. Others, He approached on the road, as they prepared to move on from Jerusalem, thinking the last chapter of Christ’s Good News had already been written. Still, others He found hiding behind locked doors. Nonetheless, to each one He came and revealed His glory. He even allowed His disciples to look upon and touch His glorified wounds, which are signs both of His Love revealed for them upon the cross and of His victory over death. Where will He find us? Will we allow Him to reveal His victory to us? Will we allow Him to redefine Hope and Victory for us? Will we open our hearts to receive His Mercy? Next, Sunday, we will continue our Easter Celebration with the Second Sunday of Easter, which Saint John Paul II officially renamed Divine Mercy Sunday! The Mercy flowing from His Sacred, Pierced and Risen Heart never ends. What better celebration to remind us that the Easter we celebrate this week is so much more than another Sunday, which has come and gone. It is a new life what we must live. It is often forgotten that the Easter Season is actually longer than the penitential season of Lent. It is the longest of all four of the holy seasons (Advent, Christmas, Lent & Easter) in the Church Year. Let this remind us that the new life of the Resurrection is not just another celebration among many. It must be lived. In the famous words Saint John Paul II, “We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song.” Let our song be sung for all generations, ceaselessly and courageously.
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY: THE PRAYERS AND THE PARTY! As we continue our Easter celebration of Easter next Sunday, we will embrace two basic elements of what it means to celebrate the Resurrection, both of which are extremely important: Prayers and Party! Of course, the Sunday Mass is always the Source, Summit, and Center of all of our devotions (Mass times will be same as any Sunday). Then, after have some time for personal and/or family prayer and rest, we invite you to reconvene with us in the Church at 2 PM for our Divine Mercy Devotions. These devotions will consist of Eucharistic Adoration, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, various readings, litanies, and prayers, quiet time of prayer and reflection and an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It will conclude with benediction, beginning at 3:30 PM. Even if you are not able to join for us the entire time, all are still welcome and encouraged to come for part of the time. Afterward, beginning at 4 PM, we will have our Parish Family Easter Celebration, throughout our parish grounds. This will include food, fun and fellowship, including things designed to engage our younger children (an Easter Egg Hunt, Bouncy Houses, and various other fun “stations”). This is meant for the entire parish family, so we certainly hope that as many as possible can join us. And bring friends and family to come celebrate the Resurrection.
In Christ through Mary,
Fr. Gifford
St. Louis, pray for us!
Blessed Mary, Queen Mother of the King of Kings, pray for us!