May 29, 2022

This week we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension and the Seventh Sunday of Easter. Underlying each celebration is the idea and the truth that Jesus and His Father are one. The Ascension shows that Jesus is once again fully joined with His Father, and our completing the Easter season shows that not only are Jesus and His Father one, but they desire that each of us are to become one with them. This is kind of heady stuff, but we can make it simple if we wish.

How will each of us live out this truth, that we can be one with God? As Jesus says, “If you love me, you will follow my commandments. This past weekend, the scripture had Jesus express it this way, “I give you a new commandment, love one another.” The Acts of the Apostles spells out clearly that they will know we are Christ’s followers if we love one another. The line from the familiar hymn puts it this way, they will know we are Christians by our love. May the way we love one another, the way we forgive one another, the way we lift up one another mark us as those who are one with Jesus and the Father. One in heart, mind, and soul.

Thanks are due to the Saint Joseph Men’s Society members who are taking on the project of refurbishing the kneelers at Saint Agnes Church. Thanks to these men for their efforts. A special thanks to our maintenance and grounds staff led by Robert Lynch. All three church campuses and our cemetery look great, due to their diligence and efforts. If you see some of these men, please let them know of your thanks. God bless you all.

May 15, 2022

As we are in the fifth week of the Easter season, we continue to celebrate with joy that Christ is risen. His presence with us continues, as was his promise to his disciples in the conclusion of the gospel of Matthew. “I will be with you until the end of the age.” His presence with us continues when we celebrate Eucharist together, his presence is with us in the blessed sacrament in our churches, his presence with us continues when two or more are gathered in his name.

As we notice the new life bursting forth around us in nature, may we be grateful for the new life renewed in each of us. May we find room in our hearts for the risen Lord, and may we bring his presence to all those we meet.

We are grateful this season for the many who celebrated their First Holy Communions. Over 80 children celebrated with family and friends, and we look forward to all of them developing a life of closeness with Christ, especially in frequent reception of communion when we celebrate together.

If you worship at Saint Agnes Church, you will have noticed that we have removed two sets of pews in the middle of the church. This is to provide more seating for the mobility challenged and make the reception of communion there easier for those who cannot walk distances well. We know many of our parishioners want to come each week to Mass, and we do not want their presence impeded by difficulty in getting around the church. On that note, we can provide homebound communion visits for those in that need. Just call the rectory office and ask for this. God bless you all.

May 1, 2022

In the first part of today’s Gospel, the risen Jesus appears to His disciples and gives them a symbol of their mission in a miraculous catch of fish followed by a grilled fish breakfast prepared by Jesus himself. The second part is a dialogue between Jesus and Simon where Simon is asked three times whether he loves Jesus, and he answers that he does, as if in reparation for his triple denial of Jesus. The two metaphors used in the story, namely fishing and shepherding, are the duties of the Church in her missionary work. Peter, as a forgiven sinner, is chosen for the quality of his love to serve as leader in a community of brothers and sisters. As his primary mission, Peter is given the care of the vulnerable lambs and sheep, and he is told that fidelity to this mission will lead him to martyrdom.

Peter was called upon to prove his love: “If you love me, feed my sheep.” The same Risen Lord reminds us: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” ( Jn 14:15). What do our present actions and activities say about our love for Christ? The Risen Jesus accepts our apology, dismisses the charges against us, exonerates us of guilt, and forgives all our weaknesses. He continues to challenge us to demonstrate our love for him by faithfully, freely, feeding his sheep entrusted to our care.

We need to open our eyes, ears and hearts wide to see, hear, and experience the Risen Lord coming into our lives in various forms, circumstances, and events. We need to welcome the Risen Lord and allow Him to work on our hearts.