Dear Friends of our Pastorate,
This weekend, we celebrate the Third Sunday of Easter. Our Gospel this weekend is from the Gospel of John, and it is part of John’s post Resurrection narratives (John 21:1-19). This week, it appears that the disciples have returned to their former ways of life—they are back on the lake fishing. Jesus appears to them on the shore, but they do not recognize him. He tells them to cast their nets over the right side of the boat, and when they do, they haul in a large catch of fish. Immediately, Peter realizes it is Jesus, and he jumps into the water to swim to shore while the rest bring the boat ashore along with the catch.
This Gospel also contains an exchange between Peter and Jesus that scripture scholar sees as Jesus’ way for Peter to redeem himself after his threefold denial of Jesus during the passion. Jesus asks Peter if he loves him three times. And after each time, Peter responds that he loves him. This declaration of love then comes with a mission from Jesus to Peter to feed my lambs, tend my sheep, and feed my sheep. As Catholics, we also see that this encounter is a commissioning of Peter to lead the Church Jesus has established. There has been a successor to Peter since that day, mostly recently Pope Francis, but soon there will be another successor to Peter once the Cardinals elect a new Roman Pontiff. Please keep the College of Cardinals in your daily prayers as they prepare to enter into conclave to choose our next Pope.
Congratulations to all of the young members of our pastorate who have received or will be receiving their First Holy Communion. St Jane’s celebrated 1st Communions last weekend, and OLC will be celebrating this weekend.
Please join us this Sunday, May 4th, at the 11:30am Mass as we celebrate Fr. Bill Spacek’s 30th anniversary of Priesthood Ordination. There will be a reception for Fr. Bill in the parish hall following Mass. I met Fr. Bill when I was a seminarian at my first summer assignment at St. Paul’s in Ellicott City in 1998. Fr. Bill and I also share a birthday—same month, same day, same year! Congratulations Fr. Bill (and happy early birthday)!
Mother’s Day Spiritual Bouquets are available at both parishes as we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day. Please return your offering as soon as possible. May is also the month of Mary. Our May Crowning at St. Jane’s will take place this Sunday (May 4th) after the 10:00am Mass. OLC will celebrate the May Crowning on Mother’s Day (May 11), after the 10:45am Mass. There is also a Mother’s Day breakfast being held at OLC on Mother’s day from 8:30am–1:00pm sponsored by the Knights of Columbus 10881. The breakfast is FREE, so come and join us after Mass.
Don’t forget to purchase your raffle tickets for OLC’s 45th anniversary raffle. Tickets are available online or by stopping by the parish offices at either Church. OLC’s anniversary Mass with Archbishop Lori (and Fr. Jim) will be on Saturday, May 31st at 4:00pm followed by a light reception in the Gathering Place. We will also be drawing the 20 winning numbers for the raffle. Please join us!
Thank you for keeping St. Jane Frances and Our Lady of the Chesapeake—our Pastorate of the Visitation—in your daily prayers!
God Bless,
Father Steve
