Chapter 4: Signs of Holiness in Today’s World

St. Paul bade the Romans not to repay evil for evil, not to seek revenge and not to be overcome by evil but instead “overcome evil with good.” This attitude is not a sign of weakness but of true strength, because God himself “is slow to anger but great in power.” The word of God exhorts us to “put away all bitterness and wrath and wrangling and slander, together with all malice.” We need to recognize and combat our aggressive and selfish inclinations, and not let them take root…

When we feel overwhelmed, we can always cling to the anchor of prayer, which puts us back in God’s hands and the source of our peace. “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all under- standing will guard your hearts.”

The Gospel on this Sunday after Easter is the story of Thomas saying that he wouldn’t believe that Jesus had appeared to the other disciples unless he saw the marks on Jesus’ crucified body. We know that “seeing” can often lead to “believing.” Jesus is amazing and appears for a second time when Thomas is there. He shows Thomas his wounded body and it is enough for Thomas to say, “My Lord and My God!” Doubting is normal even when it comes to faith. Doubt can lead to a clearer understanding of what we believe and help us be stronger in our belief. There is so much in our culture today that can heighten our doubting, but as Christians it is good to look for those experiences, those people, and those events that deepen our belief. They are there. Be aware of them as you go through this week.

This is the eighth day in the Octave of Easter. Our newly baptized will be wearing their white baptismal robes at the 5:00 PM Sunday Mass. We are blessed to have seven new members of our faith community and 13 members who completed their sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil through the Sacrament of Confirmation. Congratulations! They will be continuing the Rite of Initiation in a period known as “mystagogia” during the month of May. Our next RCIA will begin in September, but if people are interested in knowing more about the program, contact Joe Nuzzi here at the church 212-736-8500 or jnuzzi@stfrancisnyc.org. The program is for those who have not been baptized or those who were never confirmed.

Join us for the Via Lucis, the Stations of the Resurrection, every Friday after the 12:30 and 5:30 Masses during the Easter season. This is an inspiring, prayerful experience of the events after Jesus’ Resurrection.

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.

The flowers and plants that decorate our church at Easter are a sign of our joy in the Resurrection of Christ and our hope in the resurrection of those who have gone before us.

They have been donated in memory of:

James Edward Ahearn
Inang at Amang
Bessie Anderson
Vilma Arthur & the Luscombe Family
Bernadette Jean Augustin
Jerome Abellard Augustin
Marion R. & Frank T. Burns
Radney Cahilig
Joan and George Call
Genara Henandez Castro
Beatrice Chery
Orlo R. Clark
Eileen Patricia Collins
Nancy Cooney
Michael & Mary Cosie
Bertha & Charles Degnan
Danilo T. Diaz
Amelia Diaz Manaog
Frank DiRago
Tom & Tereasa Dolan
Cecilia Astorga Ferraro
Andrea Figueroa
Peter, Joanna, Joan, Sheila & Mary Foley
E. Friend
Luisa Lorna Z. Gatchalian
Jose Padilla Genito
Clara Giovanniello
Mary Grimes
Lesly Guillaume
Irene Horodecky
R. Isaacs
Jane R. & Charles Janiak
Rosaire Jean
Hector Katenant
Karen Lynn Kemp
Mr. & Mrs. George E. Kemp III
Monika and Rainer Klier
R. Knowles
M. Knowles
Marjorie & David Kraniak
Mitchell J. Krask
M. Kuerzi
Sr. Jo Laurienzo, SND
Lydia & Charles Lawrence
Le, Kane & McCarthy Families
Angela Clyde Lee & Family
Marciano, Jacela, Cirilo & Josephina Lopez
Claudia M. Louis
Fouschard Louis
Bernice F. McCray
Thomas (Al) McCready
Holly Jean McCready
Kam Wong McCready
McGee & Schneider Families
Bernabe Mendoza
Annelore and Peter Mitchell
Nevilia Moreau
Vincenzo Nappo
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel O’Brien
Thomas O’Halloran
Onesefedo & Marcelina Pacina
Mary & Bob Paddock
Lynette Persaud
Robert & Frances Pouzar
Edward Prestridge
Hysen Qosej
Michael F. Reilly Sr.
Maggie Rittler
Eric A. Rivera
Karen Scott
Ralph Solomone
Jessie Q. & Alfred Sotto
Ida Stefanachi
Allen Stone
William Stroetz
Mr. & Mrs. Chee Tam
Christopher Temple
Marion & Eugene Thomas
Ruth & Larry Thorne
Siu Tong
Ronnie Townes
Cezar Augusto Umadac
Venditti & Rodriguez Families
Carmen & Fernando Virola
Maddox White
Solomon Woldekian
Yeck Family
Julian, Lourdes, Ben & Ann Young
May & Wilfred
Elle & Sr. Consuela

For the Special Intentions of:

Carla Ann Roudette Brown
Kay Foley
Nicole Mier
Sedfrey & Kathleen

*

The Paschal Candle and Easter flowers
have been donated for the special intentions of
Katherine Puangco.

Are you without immigration status?

STAND UP! is a campaign to protect the rights and welfare of immigrants, especially the undocumented. Contact us at standupimmigrants@gmail.com or 212-736-8500, Ext. 305.

¿Está sin estatus de inmigración?

¡LEVANTENSE! es una campaña para proteger los derechos y el bienestar de los inmigrantes, especialmente los indocumentados. Contáctenos a standupimmigrants@gmail.com o 212-736-8500, Ext. 305.

A Blessed and Happy Easter!

We hear these words in today’s Gospel: “On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning while it was still dark and saw the stone removed from the tomb.” After experiencing the torture and crucifixion of Jesus and having her heart broken through it all, now the tomb was empty. St. John often puts in phrases that we can easily overlook; the phrase that I am referring to is “it was dark.” St. John uses this to show not just the darkness of the night, but the “darkness” in the followers of Christ because of His death. Their faith and hope in Jesus was gone… or was it? His resurrection reassures us that even though there is often “darkness” in our lives, it is the Lord who strengthens and enlivens our hope. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.”

Congratulations to our Elect who have been baptized, confirmed and received the Eucharist. Congratulations to our candidates for completing their initiation into the church. You are an inspiration to us and we are happy that you are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Congratulations to Joe Nuzzi and the RCIA Team for journeying with this group since September. It is always a great joy for me to preside at the Easter Vigil and celebrate the Easter sacraments with these brothers and sisters. May the Lord continue to bless and guide you!

Thank you to Fr. Timothy Shreenan, Director of Liturgy; Edward Trochimczuk, Director of Volunteer Ministries; and Meredith Augustin, Director of Music. A special thanks to all the cantors, organists, choir, musicians, altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and ministers of hospitality who were so helpful throughout the Triduum. You are a blessing to us!

-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.