How Do We Come To Believe?

Dear Parishioners,

No weight of evidence, no nail-scarred proof of death, or glorious risen light can compel you or me to believe. We come to believe, we move into the realm of faith, as an act or personal daring acceptance. We accept our Lord’s death and resurrection for us, we experience his presence within and about us, we celebrate his love among us as gifts received in faith—nothing more, nothing less. Thomas walks around in all of us (John 20:19-31), because our coming to believe in Jesus, our faith in Jesus, is a journey of awareness that takes us from absence to presence. This coming to believe journey was the experience of all the first followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

- Deacon Robert

“Don’t proselytize; respect others’ beliefs. We can inspire others through witness so that one grows together in communicating.
But the worse thing of all is religious proselytism, which paralyzes:
‘I am talking to you in order to persuade you.’ No. Each person dialogues,
starting with his and her own identity. The Church grows by attraction,
not proselytizing.”
~ Pope Francis’ “Secrets to Happiness” (#9 of 10)

Happy Easter!

Dear Parishioners,

Today, Jesus is raised up, and we celebrate his triumph over evil, sin, and death (John 20:1-9). But his victory is not just his alone; it is ours as well. We are members of his team, the Body of Christ, the Church. Most frequently, we think about sharing in our Lord’s victory when we leave this world. And, yes, that is where and when the joy will be most complete. However, some of that joy is for here and now. We have periods of darkness in our lives. We have our own personal Good Fridays when things go wrong and we feel alone and abandoned and without hope. But Jesus wants to raise us up to share in his risen glory, to share our burdens, lift up our hearts, and enable us to see the light at the end of the tunnel—the Light of the World—Jesus Christ.

May you and your families come to share in the Resurrection not just today on Easter but throughout the year.

God Bless and Happy Easter!
Father Carl

“Stop being negative. Needing to talk badly about others indicates
low self-esteem. That means, ‘I feel so low that instead of picking myself up, I have to cut others down.’ Letting go of negative things quickly is health.”
~ Pope Francis’ “Secrets to Happiness” (#8 of 10)