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Sunday, April 27, 2025
Hello folks,
The Lord be with you all! Again I wish you a very Happy Easter as we continue to celebrate this greatest of all feasts!
We were all somewhat shocked to learn of the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday morning since he had seemed to be improving and had even made public appearances the day before. Yet, none of us know the day nor the hour when we will meet the Lord and face “the particular judgement” at the end of our earthly life. On Monday evening, we prayed a special Rosary and offered Mass for Pope Francis, and have continued to pray for the peaceful repose of his soul throughout the week.
Every Pope preaches the mercy of God, but Pope Francis had a unique knack for communicating this in a fresh way that seemed to make it new to many people. I often quote him in saying that God never tires of forgiving us. Sometimes we tire of asking for His forgiveness, but He never tires of forgiving us. So, do not be afraid to approach Him in prayer and in the confessional. Again, early in his papacy, Pope Francis used the image of a field hospital to describe the first aid attention that the Church gives to sinners: we don’t have to fix everything all at once, but treat the first presenting problems first. Later as the person advances in the Faith, we can address the more difficult and sometimes finer points of conversion. His freshness of speech was sometimes endearing and sometimes eyebrow-raising, but he was always man on a mission with a deep love for Our Lord and His Blessed Mother. We thank the Lord the gift of the papacy in general and I thank him for Pope Francis in particular, who often challenged me to turn more completely to our Lord, and frequently to review my understanding what the Church teaches and why. Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday, and we will have a special Divine Mercy Holy Hour at 3pm (Sunday/today) in Saint John’s in Townsend. This will include prayers and Adoration led by Deacon Jason, while I will be in the confessional.
I want to thank everyone who did so much to help our Sacred Triduum and Easter celebrations, including the decorators, musicians, servers, liturgical ministers, ushers. It was a great joy to welcome two new members to the Church at the Easter Vigil. Welcome Claire and Connor! Again the overall attendance for Easter and for the Sacred Triduum was up on last year, which is always good to see, but especially on a long weekend when many people might be away elsewhere on vacation.
Finally, please pray fervently this week for the Cardinals who are tasked with identifying the next Pope chosen by the Holy Spirit, and for the man who will be chosen!
A happy and holy Easter to you all!
God bless,
Father Maher
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