Have you ever seen a mustard seed? What was spectacular about it? My first experience of mustard seed was in my home country when people used it as a symbol in praying for something mighty. I suspect that the significance attached to this almost inconsequential seed, as well as the spiritual practice associated with it, comes from the saying of Jesus recorded in St. Mark’s Gospel (4:26-34). It is the smallest of seeds, but when sown blossoms into a mighty shrub.

On the literal level, the first reading this weekend presents a picture of why things are the way they are: why humans suffer to earn their food or have children, and why the serpent crawls on its belly unlike other animals. But beyond this literal relevance of the story, we also derive some insights into what we have come to know as the First Sin and its consequences.

St. Thomas Aquinas is celebrated for his contributions to Catholic Theology. Prominent among them are his great works, Summa Theologiae (Summa Theologica) and Summa Contra Gentiles. These two theological classics are time-tested and praised by many Popes and scholars. Thomas Aquinas is also credited for his great Eucharistic devotion as seen in the hymns he composed in praise of the Most Holy Eucharist. Commissioned by Pope Urban IV in 1264, Thomas Aquinas wrote the liturgy for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi (The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ), which we celebrate this weekend.

Last weekend we celebrated Pentecost, when we commemorated the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples with the Blessed mother. It was the birth and manifestation of the Church, which until then had been in hiding for fear of the Jews. Jesus sent the promised gift of the Spirit from the Father to console, confirm and strengthen the disciples so they can be his witnesses to all of Judea and the entire world.

This weekend 12 of our children made their First Holy Communion to our children. We congratulate them as they have taken a major step in their journey of Christian initiation. They now partake with us at the table of the Lord's Body and Blood. Through this participation in the Eucharist their relationship with Jesus will be nourished and strengthened. I want to thank their families for walking with them on this journey, supporting them by word and example. I thank our catechists also who helped them prepare for this great sacrament.

How would you treat someone who once hurt you, even when they profess that they have repented? I imagine many of us would be suspicious of their intent. Some of us might not even allow them room to come close. Saul’s reputation as a persecutor of Christians preceded him. The believers in Jerusalem and the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) doubted the credibility of his claim to have repented and even tried to kill him. I cannot begin to imagine the fear that gripped the believers upon seeing the now ‘pretentious brother Saul’ and the depth of their hatred for this 'impostor.' Were there any redeeming qualities in this alleged repentant brother? These are some questions for you to ponder.

It is the Second Sunday of Easter and the last day in the Octave of Easter. Since April 30th, 2000, the Second Sunday of Easter has been reserved for the proclamation and celebration of the Mercy of God. We celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, in fidelity to the request Our Lord Jesus made to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska.

Come to think of it, no one actually saw Jesus rise from the dead. No one was there when he rose triumphantly from the grave. The women went early on Sunday morning to anoint his body but found an empty tomb with the huge stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb.

Holy because during this week we come to the climax of our Lenten observances. It is the week toward which our Lenten preparations looked. Holy because during this week our Lord enters into the city of his ancestor, David, to fulfill the purpose for which he became man. He no longer hides, neither does he avoid arrest. In fact, he goes to it, of his own accord.

We are drawing closer to the Feast of our redemption. But in order to meaningfully celebrate Easter, we must first accompany the Lord in his passion and death. Lent affords us the opportunity to intentionally take on certain disciplines of prayer, charity and self-mortification as we seek to draw closer to the Lord. By our fasting and abstinence we train our bodies not to desire inordinate comfort and pleasure that are threats to discipleship. We must never forget the one summons that the Lord addresses to us - “Come, follow me.”

Hope Lent is going well for you? Last week I challenged you to learn at least one traditional Catholic prayer this Lent. I proposed the Anima Christi (Soul of Christ). The purpose is not just so you memorize the prayer, but so that it adds to your repertoire and helps you form your own words when you pray to God from your heart.

Prayer is one of the three pillars of Lent. The other two being Fasting and Almsgiving. Prayer is essential to the Christian life, and Lent offers us the opportunity to deepen our prayer. I have heard it said, “show me a Christian who does not pray and I will show you a powerless Christian.” We cannot be in relationship with God if we do not speak with God. This is why prayer is important.

Our 40 days of Lent have begun with our public act of penance symbolized by the imposition of ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday. This journey is one we make with Jesus as he goes through his temptation in the wilderness, his passion and death, so that we might rejoice with him in his resurrection at Easter.

Although treatable today by modern medicine, leprosy is still considered a serious skin condition. People with leprosy were excluded from the community and were treated as outcasts. One can only imagine what painful existence would be for the many people who had the misfortune of contracting this disease. If they did not die as a result of the disease, they would have died due to loneliness.

The healing power of Jesus is available to everyone. Although sickness and suffering could be opportunities to glorify God, as was the case with Job in the First reading, God does not take delight in our suffering. This is why Jesus healed those who were sick and possessed by demons, to demonstrate his concern for their bodily integrity as he was of their spiritual health.

Last week I invited you all to reflect with me on a theme from the readings/responses for the weekend. I asked that you share your reflections, and what the Lord lays on your heart as you prayed with the readings for the weekend’s liturgy. I once again extend this invitation: Please send me a short email of your reflection, what you heard the Lord speaking to you through the readings.

I hope you are making steady progress, by God’s grace, in your faith walk with the Lord. I feel the call to do something new for this segment of the New Year. Whenever there is not much to update about happenings at the parish I will take a theme from the weekend's readings and give a brief reflection. Whenever there is not much to update about happenings at the parish I will take a theme from the weekend's readings and give a brief reflection. I request that you spend some time reflecting and praying with this theme throughout the week, in the same way as I am.

Greetings dear parishioners! We are grateful to God for leading us through our parish stewardship month. I want to thank you all for praying for our parish and for supporting our mission and ministries by freely committing your time and resources to the growth of our parish. Nothing we do for the Lord goes unrewarded... [Click to read more]

We take this opportunity to once again thank God for his enduring mercies and goodness to us as a parish community, and as individuals. I am grateful to you for yielding yourselves to the Holy Spirit and allowing him use you to expand the Kingdom through your service to God in our parish... Our parish month of stewardship is in its fourth and last week.... [Click to read more]

We are happy to announce that, thanks to our partnership with Notre Dame Federal Credit Union, all parishioners, staff, and families are also eligible for membership. [Click to read more]