Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, When we heard the Gospel last Sunday, we heard about the power that Jesus gave to the Apostles to forgive sins, and we heard about the doubt experienced by Thomas, who wanted very tangible proof of the Lord's resurrection. The Gospel passage continued to tell us that Jesus granted Thomas' desire, appearing to the Apostles again and inviting Thomas to touch the wounds the crucifixion had left. In that moment, Thomas came to faith. After three years living with Jesus, listening to His teaching, witnessing His miracles, the trauma of the crucifixion left Thomas…read more

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In music, an octave (from the Latin octavus, from which we derive words like “octopus” and “octagon”) is a scale of eight notes, the first and eighth being the same note, simply at higher or lower pitches. The Church celebrates octaves as eight-day extensions of the most important feasts of the liturgical year. Today we come to the octave day of Easter, also called Divine Mercy Sunday. Just as musical notes that are an octave apart are the same, though at a different pitch, so Divine Mercy Sunday, an octave apart from Easter Sunday,…read more

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Alleluia! He is Risen, Alleluia! Alleluia! Today we join with the Church throughout the world in proclaiming the glory of the Resurrection, the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ over sin and death. The tomb is truly empty. The signs of death - the Cross and the grave - are now reminders of life and victory. Today, hope dawns anew for those who believe. The Church rejoices also in the new spiritual life that has been given to our candidates and catechumens, who in the Easter Vigil, were received into the sacramental life of the…read more

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Today we begin Holy Week, the most sacred days in the liturgical year. With these celebrations, the whole Church is invited to participate in the Lord's final days of ministry, to enter into His sufferings, and to experience more personally the profound gift of salvation the Lord Jesus wins for us in His Passion. Of highest importance is the observance of the Paschal Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday). The Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday invites us to receive anew the gift of the Eucharist and to celebrate…read more