Most Sundays, the rst reading for Mass is taken from the Old Testament, but during the Easter season it is taken from the Acts of the Apostles. In these readings we hear of some of the happenings in the early church. We hear of great numbers being converted and baptized.
We hear of the enthusiasm and the great mutual charity that people showed, and their detachment from their possessions.
Today’s Gospel brings us back to earth as we hear Thomas wanting proof that Jesus’ disciples had experienced the risen Lord. It is a human story because wouldn’t we act the same if we were in the same circumstances. Jesus does not deny Thomas this oppor- tunity to have a stronger faith and appears again. “My Lord and my God” is his response. This is a good response for us as we celebrate the Easter season.
Much planning and work is put into our celebrations of the Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. Congratulations on a job well done go to our Liturgy Team: Fr. Timothy Shreenan, Meredith Augustin, Edward Trochim- czuk, and Joe Nuzzi, as well as the musicians, liturgical ministers, the decorators, and all the volunteers who made everything go smoothly.
I also want to say “well done” and thank you to the Friars who celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation for hours before Easter. Even though we have fewer Friars to hear confessions, we were able to take care of the lines of people who waited each day for their turn to confess.
Thank you to all of you for your generosity in the Easter week collections. This is a great help. May Easter blessings come to you abundantly during this Easter season!
Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.
