In our mission as disciples of the Lord Jesus, He instructs us to say two things every time to everyone, regardless of how we think they will respond and whether or not they welcome us and the Gospel we bear, First, we say, “Peace to this household.” Even before we know whom we are speaking to or what their reaction will be, we bless them with peace by our words and our deeds. The Gospel will never be heard by force but by peace. Second, whether or not we are welcomed, we proclaim through out words, attitudes, and actions that “the kingdom of God is at hand.” The invitation of God’s reign is given without judgment—freely to all. Our mission is not to change people’s minds but to be Christ’s presence of peace— visible signs of God’s reign in our world.
“Follow me,” Jesus calls out in today’s Gospel. He summons us as well, and His call is challenging. Being a disciple means putting aside one’s own personal concerns. It also means following Jesus no matter how difficult. Up until now, Jesus spent His time preaching, teaching, and healing around Galilee. Now Jesus set off for Jerusalem. Though the disciples don’t realize it, He has embarked on the journey that leads to the cross. Jesus calls each of us to give up the things of the world, to repent of our sins, and to follow Him no matter the cost. He does not violate our freedom; however, He allows us to choose whether we will stay where we are or follow the way of the cross, which ultimately leads to everlasting life.
Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). We are invited to share in this sacred meal in which Christ Himself provides the food and drink for us to consume—the bread of life and the cup of eternal salvation. Saint Paul tells us that Jesus told His disciples to remember Him each time they celebrated the Eucharist. So today, two thousand years later, after the first time His followers did, we celebrate the Eucharist— remembering that Jesus offered His body and blood to redeem us from sin, giving His earthly life to give us heavenly life.
Family of the Month for June 2022 is Alden & Peggy Bienvenu. All practical Catholic gentlemen 18 years and older are invited to join our council. Contact Robert Beadle or Joel Ocmand for details.
Father's Day Bake Sale is Next Weekend under the Portico after all Masses. You can support the Youth Religion Program by donating baked goods or purchasing some baked goods for Father's Day. Your support is greatly appreciated.
We have returned to the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. However, today and next Sunday, the Church celebrates two solemnities—special days that call our attention to central mysteries of our faith. Today, we celebrate the Most Holy Trinity. This feast invites us to consider what we believe about God, who has revealed Himself to us in the Trinity—one God in three persons. The simplest prayer that we learned as children was how to make the Sign of the Cross and to pray the words: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” May God: Father-Son-and Holy Spirit continue to be a guiding source in our daily lives.
The Easter season concludes with today’s celebration of Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem; this event marks the beginning of the Church. As the world was transformed when Christ was born, making God incarnate in our world, the world is transformed once more with God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to all who are baptized, making God present continuously and forever in our world. In fire and wind, the Holy Spirit descends with God’s seven-fold gifts of wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence, and wonder. Let us use the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to bring healing and reconciliation to our community—to our world.
Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension, when Jesus having risen from the dead and appeared to His disciples with His gift of peace and His command to preach to all the nations, ascended to Heaven to be with Father forever. The portion of Jesus’ mission which necessitated His physical presence here on earth had ended, but the mission was far from over. The mission of Jesus was first entrusted to His disciples, then in turn to every baptized Christian. Do you consider yourself a part of the mission of Jesus?
Today, we enter the sixth week of Easter. As we continue reading from the Gospel According to Saint John, we are brought back to the Last Supper. Jesus, knowing that His disciples will need encouragement for the events that lie ahead, grants them the gift of peace and the promise of the Spirit. We also need those gifts as we strive to live the Gospel life and be faithful to Christ.
Congratulations to Mrs. Loyce Ann Vicknair. She will receive the St. Louis Medallion this afternoon from Archbishop Aymond. Loyce Ann has been in the choir for many years and has been the choir director for over twenty years. Thank you, Loyce Ann for your dedication and commitment to St. Peter Church Parish and for your love of music.
Since the beginning of Christianity, we have been told that it is not enough to simply fulfill the law. In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us a new commandment. He says, “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” It is not a suggestion that we love—but a commandment of the Lord. Can we be recognized by our love? Do we show the love we have for one another in what we say and do? Do we love one another as much as Jesus loves us? May the God of Love, bless us in the challenge to love each other as Jesus loves us.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all of our Moms. May your special day be filled with God’s blessings, as we, your children honor you on this day. At the end of Mass, there will be a special blessing prayed over all mothers.
The Church takes a week of Sundays, seven to be exact, to celebrate the Easter mysteries. In today’s Gospel, Jesus appears to His disciples for the third time since the Resurrection. From the shore, Jesus directs the disciples how to fish, and then hosts breakfast for them. Peter denied Jesus three times in His Passion, but we hear in today’s Gospel that Peter is given three chances to reaffirm his love for Jesus. This is how Jesus deals with those friends who hurt Him? Can we do the same?
First Communion will be celebrated today at the 11:00 A.M. Mass. Congratulations to all the young boys and girls who are celebrating their big day today. Many thanks to all who have helped prepare the students for this special time in their lives.
First Communion Practice will be on Saturday, April 30th at 9:30 A.M. Then, on Sunday, May 1st First Communion will be celebrated at the 11:00 A.M. Mass. I ask that you keep our First Communion candidates in your prayers as they prepare to receive their First Holy Communion.
Today, the Church continues to celebrate the Easter message: “Christ has died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again. On this Second Sunday of Easter, we focus on God’s Divine Mercy. Today is known as Divine Mercy Sunday. Divine mercy is like the wind: invisible, but with effects that can be sensed. We may feel the lifting of a burden off our shoulders as a fresh breeze on a new day and a new chance to do good. Today on Divine Mercy Sunday we hear from the Gospel According to Saint John of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Saint John speaks of the breath of Christ bringing the Spirit upon the disciples. May we realize God’s divine mercy in the cleansing, comforting, and renewing breath of new life. As we continue to live the Easter message, may we experience God’s Divine Mercy this day and always, knowing that our God extends His Divine Mercy to everyone.
Happy Easter!! Alleluia!! This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!! Let us live the Easter message today and every day. The following is an excerpt from the Urbi et Orbi (blessing to the city of Rome and the world) given by Pope Benedict XVI on Easter of 2008: “Dear brothers and sisters! Let us allow the light that streams forth from this solemn day to enlighten us; let us open ourselves in sincere trust to the risen Christ, so that His victory over evil and death may also triumph in each one of us, in our families, in our cities, and in our nations. Let it shine forth in ever part of the world.” May the Light of the Risen Christ shine in us today!
Today, we enter the most sacred week of the year. We begin Holy Week. On this Palm Sunday, the palm branches that are blessed and carried by us symbolize the welcome Jesus received as He entered Jerusalem. In riding upon a colt, with people spreading their cloaks on the road before Him, Jesus entered the city, as the messianic king. Though He was not the Messiah they expected, the victory He went on to win on the cross over sin and death made Him a king for all humanity—for all ages. May the palms we raise today be symbols of the praise we give our Savior as He begins the days of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
We will begin collecting your rice bowl boxes on Palm Sunday, April 10. Special receptacles will be set up that weekend for you to deposit your completed rice bowl box. The last day to deposit your rice bowl box will be at the 3:00 pm liturgy on Good Friday, April 15.