Fifth Sunday of Easter
My Dear Friends in Christ,
How wonderful it was to see our churches so filll as we celebrated Mother’s Day this past weekend. It was especially nice to see so many families sitting beside their Mother at Mass. That is the best gift any Mother could receive!
Summer vacation will be here soon, and l have even seen some of our college students back in church with us. While they are home for the summer, they are welcome to serve or become lectors or Eucharistic Ministers, just contact Shellee Murcko for more information.
I would like to congratulate David Marsh and Angela Pirolli who were married on Saturday, May 11 from our parish. Please keep David and Angela in your prayers as they begin their married life in Christ.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus spoke with his Apostles and said, “I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples. If you have love for one another.” The news today is full of stories of violence and hatred in all parts of the world. People within this country, this community, and sometimes, within our own families are in conflict. Jesus’ commandment to love one another is the antidote to the poison of hatred. This week, make a concerted effort to love all people as Jesus loves you.
This weekend we have been able to share the Eucharist with our Second Graders making their First Holy Communion at one of the Masses on Sunday. It is so good to see how excited they are to receive Jesus with their families for the first time. We pray that this will be the first of many times they receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Let us hold them in prayer as they become closer to Jesus in their lives.
Fr. Melwin D Souza is beginning to adjust to Toledo. We have been doing paperwork and visiting offices to register him in all the necessary places. It is a great undertaking. Please continue to pray for him as he experiences life in America and prays for warmer weather for us both!
Together let us allow the spirit of the Risen Christ to guide us.
Rev. Gilbert Mascarenhas SAC