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TRANSCRIPT
APRIL 26, 2020 • THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
Saints
902 East 9th Street • Hopkinsville, KY 42240
Peter & Paul C AT H O L I C C H U R C H
AND SCHOOL
Established 1872
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
We are a Roman Catholic Community of Christians called to be a priestly people, a household of faith, a temple of the Holy Spirit, a beacon of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apos-tolic Church shining for Jesus Christ in the heart of Christian County.
Rev. Fr. Richard Meredith, Pastor [email protected]
Rev. Fr. Michael Charles Abiero, Parochial Vicar [email protected]
Permanent Deacon, Mr. Tim Barnes [email protected] Permanent Deacon, Mr. Roberto Cruz [email protected] Permanent Deacon, Mr. Trinidad Soriano Permanent Deacon, Dr. Bill Sweet [email protected] PARISH OFFICE PHONE: (270) 885-8522 PARISH FAX: (270) 885-5296 PARISH WEBSITE: www.stsppchurch.org DIOCESAN WEBSITE: www.owensborodiocese.org VATICAN WEBSITE: www.vatican.va PARISH OFFICE HOURS: 8:00AM-12 NOON • 1:00 PM-4:00 PM MONDAY – FRIDAY
SCHOOL TELEPHONE: (270) 886-0172 SCHOOL FAX: (270) 887-9924 SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.stsppschool.org
Tru†h Radio WSPP 93.5 FM (Local Catholic Radio)
Saints Peter and Paul Assistance: 270-886-6027
Saints Peter and Paul Thrift Store: 270-632-1037 Store Hours M-F 10:00 am-3:00 pm. SECOND SATURDAY OF MONTH 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
MEMBERSHIP IN THE PARISH We give a sincere welcome to all new families moving into our Parish. Please register with the Parish Office as soon as possible. Families who plan to move from our parish
community are asked to let us know.
MASS SCHEDULE Saturday evening .................................... 5:00 PM Sunday ................................. 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM Misa en Español ............... 2:00 PM, 10:30 PM Monday - Saturday ................................ 8:00 AM Wednesday ......................................... 5:30 PM Thursday (en Español) ............................ 5:30 PM
SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY
The Catholic Church teaches that the sexual abuse of any person is a grave moral evil. To report any instance of sexual abuse by anyone
acting in the name of the Catholic Church, (priests, deacon, employee or volunteer), please call the Diocesan Pastoral Assistance Coordina-tor, using the dedicated confidential phone-line (270-852-8380) as well as the Diocesan web site (www.owensborodiocese.org/safe).
† SACRAMENTS † † Reconciliation: Confessions will be heard Saturday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and Wednesday at 4:30 PM. Confessions will be heard any time by appointment.
† Baptism: Baptismal Preparation Class - Our next class will be announced. Please call the Parish Office to register.
† Marriage: Contact the Office six months prior to the desired date.
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Parish Pastoral Council
Lana Bastin, Administration ...…...……...…[email protected] Stephanie Blankenberger, Principal…[email protected] Jan Buckner, Family Life ....…………[email protected] Dee Dailey, Vice Chair & Worship..….…[email protected] Libby Downs, Pastoral Associate ..….…….…[email protected] Hilda Gonzalez, Social Concerns.………. [email protected] Fran Marko, Secretary ………….……………[email protected] Morgan Murray, Chair & Spiritual Life…..….……[email protected] Robert Tyree, Education….……………[email protected]
PARISH OFFICE Tom Buehrle ([email protected])….........................Director Of Stewardship Brenda Chaudoin ([email protected])....……..…. Parish Office Mgr. Libby Downs ([email protected])............................Pastoral Associate
Leigh Ann Johnson ………………….………Parish Assistance Coordinator Steve Kinnard ([email protected])...……….Maintenance Foreman Angie Phillips ([email protected])…………….....Thrift Store Mgr. Mayra Tirado ([email protected])…………Hispanic Ministry Asst. Sue Wassmer([email protected])............................Parish Secretary Dan Wilkinson([email protected])………...Parish Music Director
SCHOOL OFFICE
Stephanie Blankenberger
([email protected])….......School Principal Jaime Embry ([email protected])…………….….. Reception/SCRIP Jennifer Groves ([email protected])………….…. School Secretary
MINISTRY TO THE SICK
Please notify the Parish Office upon admission of a family member into any hospital or nursing home. Any parishioner who is ill or infirm may request anointing in extreme emer-
gency by calling the Parish Office, 270-885-8522.
PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
This is a devotion whereby members of the parish unite in tak-ing hours of Adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament dur-ing the day and throughout the night, seven days a week. (Code required.) There is a regular schedule of adorers but all are welcome to stop in for a visit. Parishioners are encouraged to sign up for a scheduled weekly Adoration time. Please con-tact Bill & Jenny Rush at 270-885-2888, if you are interested in adopting an hour or if you can be a substitute or prayer partner Available hours: Sunday 12am, Monday 2am & 4 pm, Wednesday 2am, Thursday 5 pm & 6 pm, Saturday 1am, 9 pm & 10 pm. Need prayer partners Tuesday 9am & Saturday 9 pm. Please help!!
School News
Following the recommendations of Governor Andy Beshear and the Diocese of Owensboro Catholic Schools Office, our last day of Non-Traditional Instruction will be Friday, May 8. This is not the way anyone wanted to end our 2019-2020 school year, but we must do our part to keep our community safe and healthy.
APRIL 26, 2020 • THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER 3
High School Graduates: Listed below is who we have as our high school graduates for 2020. Please look over the list and let us know if someone is missing. Information will be sent out to how we will be celebrating with you this won-derful accomplishment.
High School Graduate of 2020 Saints Peter and Paul Parish
Edwar Acosta Georgianna Baker Brenda Bonifacio Jennifer Bautista Alison Bellew Logan Gibson Scribbe Goode Will Groves Chenoa Hall Kaleb Hall Dayana Hernandez Layne Jorgensen Anna King Lauren Langhi Zach Langhi Natalie Linares Yefrey Macario Manuel Martinez Joseph Nguyen Hope Pace Rayna Pound Trace Pound Jessica Roman Angel Rodriguez Sofia Sargeant John Schmitt Allison Sunderhaus Maritza Uribe
Congratulations: We congratulate Will Groves, son of Jennifer and Philip Groves. Will is a senior at Heritage
Christian Academy. Rep-resentatives from Chic-fil-Awarded Will a $2,500.00 Leadership Scholarship. The ingredi-ents for this Leadership scholarship include: confi-dence, reliability, team-work, honesty, positivity, creativity, kindness, intelli-
gence, enthusiasm, passion, resourcefulness, generosity, ser-vice and care.
Confirmation Preparation: As we cannot yet gather with our middle and high school youth, our preparation for Con-firmation continues. Parents, please help by encouraging this continued preparation and sub-mitting their work back to the teacher. Bishop Medley has cancelled all Con-firmation celebrations scheduled for the month of April. They are working on a plan on how these and future Confirmations will be celebrated. It is necessary that our students be ready and have submitted their materials. Confirmation students, if you have yet to turn in your Patron Saint report please email it to Libby at [email protected]. This is essential. Please submit your weekly completed work to your teachers. Know that our parish is praying for you during this time. Please keep in prayer those preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation who include: Esmeralda Bautista, Addie Galvan, Jackie Ginez, Livie Jorgensen, Bryan Linares, Martin Nguyen, Thieng Nguyen, Aaron Oñate, Esther Pepple, Emma Petrie, Michelle Salas and Lucy Wilkins.
Full Communion with the Catholic Church: We congratu-late Paula Anderson who was received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church on Easter Sunday, April 12th. Paula, re-ceived First Eu-charist, Confirma-tion and made a Profession of Faith. Present was her husband Michael Anderson, their daughter Serenity and Paula’s sponsor, Wendy Anderson. Paula chose the Blessed Virgin Mary as her Patron Saint. We pray for Paula and appreci-ate her witness and desire to join us around the table of The Savior. May we congratulate her and her family for their witness.
Wedding: We congratulate Paul Rush and Winter Nicholson who were joined in Holy Matrimony on Saturday, April 18th here at Saints Peter and Paul. Paul is the son of Bill and Jenny Rush and Win-ter is the daughter of Paula Anderson and James Nicholson. Paul and Winter now reside in Paducah were Paul serves as an EMT-Paramedic at Ballard County Ambulance Service and Winter is a Graphic Art Designer.
Sympathy: As a parish, we offer our prayers for our pa-rishioner, Norma “Joan” Haley Brockman who passed away on Monday afternoon, April 20th at Christian Health Center
here in Hopkinsville at the age of 82. Joan and Jerry have been long time, dedicated parishioners of Saints Peter and Paul. Joan was a native of Dawson Springs, Kentucky where she was born on June 20, 1937 the daughter of the late Lawrence Crittenden Haley and Virginia Lurline Cansler Haley. She worked at the Kentucky New Era for a brief time. She had also worked at the
Christian County Public Library and was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband: G.W. “Jerry” Brockman of Hopkinsville; three sons, George W. (Deborah) Brockman of Huntsville, AL, Mark L. (Angela) Brockman of Centerville, OH and Christopher McShane (Beverly) Brockman of Chattanoo-ga, TN; one daughter, Virginia Louise (Troy) Edens of Mt. Juliet, TN; her sister, Judy Hancock of Hopkinsville; Eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. The family wishes to thank the staff of Christian Care Communities. Funeral services were private; however, a Memorial Mass will be offered at a later date. As a parish we offer our prayers for Jerry and the en-tire Brockman family, as we pray “May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.”
SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY 4
1812 - The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth were founded near Bardstown
1841 - The diocese was moved from Bardstown to Louis-ville, becoming the Diocese of Louisville.
1863 Sisters of Loretto at the foot of the Cross, Loretto, KY were formed
1874 Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, KY were formed
Then we learn of the “Patriarch-Priest of Kentucky or “Apostle of Western Kentucky”, Fr. Elisha Durbin. In 1816 he was sent to the preparatory seminary of St. Thomas near Bardstown and was ordained in 1822. Bishop Flaget en-trusted him the pastoral care of western and southwestern Kentucky, about thirty counties. Fr. Elisha Durbin was instru-mental in forming parishes and building churches and spent 50 years of his 61 years of ordained life serving the Catho-lic population of Kentucky.
Saints Peter and Paul began as a Missionary Church in 1866.
What is Happening in the United States in 1866 June US House of representatives passes 14th Amendment (Civil rights) – June 13 August President of the United States or President Andrew
Johnson formally declares the American Civil War over – August 20.
Saint Peter and Paul became an independent parish in 1878 - The original church, built in 1872, was a small wooden frame church, about twenty by forty feet in size. It served the needs of Hopkinsville Catholics for fifty-five
years.
Major Kentucky Events from 1872 – 1927 1891 - Present state constitution adopted. 1909 - Present State Capitol completed. 1912 - McCreary County, the last to be created of Ken-
tucky's 120 counties, was formed in 1912. 1922 - Dominican Sisters, St. Catharine (outside of Bard-
stown) were formed 1926 - Mammoth Cave National Park established.
In 1927, in response to the growth of the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic community, a larger brick church was erected immediately to the west of the original frame church. When this second church was completed, the original frame church was torn down and a rectory (priest’s residence) was built on that site.
Major Kentucky Happenings from 1927-1995 1937 - Worst Ohio River flood occurs – late January and
early February. 1937 – December 9, Pope Pius XI issued a Papal Bull cre-
ating the new Diocese of Owensboro taken from the Diocese of Louisville. This new Diocese was composed of 32 counties of Western Kentucky
1937 - In a separate Papal Bull, the Diocese of Louisville was elevated to become the Archdiocese of Louis ville, and the "metropolitan" (supervising) province for all the dioceses in Kentucky and Tennessee with
an Archbishop of Louisville.
Family – Parish Family: During COVID 19 we are spend-ing more time with our family, we are gathering around the dinner table together, we may be playing board games, watch-ing movies and of course helping each other with our school homework. It is our prayer that during this time you are sharing faith with one another. That Mom’s and Dad’s share with you the story of their family, maybe things they did when they were growing up, how they cele-brated holidays or what they did on an everyday basis. It is at this time we miss our church, our church families of gath-ering around the altar and receiving the Blessed Sacrament together. So we are going to take some time and tell you some things about our church that you may not know or have forgotten. Our stories of faith.
Here we are now – 2020. How far have we come as a parish? When did you and your family move to Hopkins-ville and joined us for Mass here at Saints Peter and Paul? What brought you to Hopkinsville, Kentucky? Was your family here when the first church was built? The second church? The third church? If you could say only one thing, what is it you miss the most from not being able to gather with us for Sunday Mass? What is it you love about this parish we call home?
Our Catholic Lineage Ever wonder how the Catholic faith arrived in Kentucky? Do you know what our origins are?
1634 - Catholic immigrants arrived in the present day state of Maryland after fleeing England due to Religious persecution. They settled, farmed and chartered religious organizations
1785 - They then formed a group known as the "League of sixty" and left Maryland to settle other lands.
1787 - The last group led by Edward Howard settling in Bardstown, Kentucky.
1808 - The Diocese of Bardstown was established by Pope Pius VII. This diocese was 1 of 4 which was carved from the original diocese of Baltimore; the others being Boston, Philadelphia, and New York.
If you have visited Bardstown, have you ever wondered why everywhere you look - buildings, hospital, streets, parks are named “Flaget”.
1811 – In June, Benedict Joseph Flaget was named Bish-op of Bardstown. While traveling to Bardstown, Bishop Flaget, Father David and their students, es-tablished the first seminary on the flat boat they were on. Later the seminary was constructed at
St. Thomas Farms outside of Bardstown.
A byproduct of the Seminary came parishes and schools began to develop especially with the founding of a number of religious communities of sisters as they served as mission-aries throughout Kentucky.
APRIL 26, 2020 • THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER 5
Monday, April 27
8:00 am MISSY & TOMMY CRAFT FAMILY
Tuesday, April 28
STS.PETER CHANEL &
LOUIS GRIGNION DE MONTFORT
8:00 am AL C. RUTLAND
Wednesday, April 29 ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA
8:00 am NO MASS
5:30 pm †
GEORGE & LOUISE MCSHANE
BROCKMAN
Thursday, April 30 ST. PIUS V, POPE
8:00 am † LINETT DIXON
5:30 pm STS. PETER & PAUL STAFF
Friday, May 1 ST. JOSEPH, THE WORKER
8:00 am CINDY DYE
Saturday, May 2 ST. MARK, EVANGELIST
8:00 am † SCOTT BURNSIDE
5:00 pm NO MASS
Sunday, May 3 FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
8:00 am NO MASS
10:30 am † CHARLES & ANNE GARNETT
2:00 pm Spanish FOR ALL THE PEOPLE
10:30 pm Spanish NO MASS
† Indicates Requiem Mass
SANCTUARY LAMP IN HONOR OF VICKI KINNARD
DURING THIS TIME, MASS INTENTIONS WILL BE HONORED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. FOR THOSE MASSES NOT CELEBRATED, THESE INTEN-
TIONS WILL BE RESCHEDULED FOR A LATER DATE. WE ARE REQUIRED TO OFFER ONE WEEKEND MASS FOR “ALL PEOPLE”.
LET US CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR EACH OTHER.
1937 – Only a week after the issuance of these important Papal Bulls, it was announced that Reverend Francis R. Cotton, chancellor of the Diocese of Louisville, was to be appointed the first Bishop of Owensboro and Saint Stephen Church as his Cathedral.
1946 Passionist Sisters, Owensboro, KY were formed 1938 – Pope Pius XI designated Most Reverend Francis R. Cotton as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Owensboro, and Saint Stephen Church as his Cathedral1938 – Pope Pius XI designated Most Reverend Francis R. Cotton as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Owensboro, and Saint Stephen Church as his 1947 – Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School opened with
15 students 1961 - Henry J. Soenneker was Appointed as Bishop of Owensboro 1982 - John Jeremiah McRaith was Appointed as Bishop of
Owensboro 1938 – Pope Pius XI designated Most Reverend Francis R. Cotton as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Owensboro, and Saint Stephen Church as his Cathedral 1988 - Congregation of the Fathers of Mercy, South Union
were formed.
As the Catholic community in Hopkinsville continued to grow, it became evident that a larger church was once again need-ed. Prior to 1995, there were two unsuccessful attempts to plan a new church. Under the leadership of Rev. Gerald Baker, fund raising for this project finally began in 1995. 2001 May of 2001 Construction began on our third and
current Church Building 2002 October of 2002 Construction was completed 2002 November 17, 2002 Mass dedicating our new
Church building was held 2009 - William Francis Medley was Appointed as Bishop of
Owensboro 2016 Construction began on proposed new school 2017 New School Building housing 3rd thru 8th grades and Parish Hall dedicated August 2017 Attention First Holy Communion Children and Parents: Though we are not gathering for our PSR Classes, our children preparing for First Holy Communion have been contacted by their teachers. A link to our “Blessed” First Holy Communion program
Mass Intentions Readings for the week of April 26, 2020 Sunday: Acts 2:14, 22-33/Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11/1 Pt 1:17-21/Lk 24:13-35 Monday: Acts 6:8-15/Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30/ Jn 6:22-29 Tuesday: Acts 7:51—8:1a/Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 7b and 8a, 17 and 21ab /Jn 6:30-35 Wednesday: Acts 8:1b-8/Ps 66: 1-3a, 4-5, 6-7a/ Jn 6:35-40 Thursday: Acts 8:26-40/Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20 / Jn 6:44-51 Friday: Acts 9:1-20/Ps 117:1bc, 2 [Mk 16:15]/ Jn 6:52-59 Saturday: Acts 9:31-42/Ps 116:12-13, 14-15, 16- 17 /Jn 6:60-69 Next Sunday: Acts 2:14a, 36-41/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 /1 Pt 2:20b-25/Jn 10:1-10 Lpi©
through Dynamic Catholic is available free on line for these families and children as they continue their preparation. Parents, please help your daughter or son to continue their desire to join us at the table of the Lord. If you need assis-tance you may contact their teacher or Libby in the parish office. We ask you to pray for our children preparing for the Sacrament of First Eucharist who include: Marilyn Ga-briel, Christopher Galdean, Anthony Hernandez, Tripp Larimore, Isabel Litchfield, Ashly Lopez, Bruno Messina, Piero Messina, Yoel Peña, Adrian Rodriguez, Isabel Sewell, Liam Siver, Lily Siver, Lucas Stine, and Jorge Uribe.
Budget News April 19, 2020
Contributing Households
Envelopes 39 $5,091
Online Donations/EFT 45 $10,102
Loose collection Cash $5
Loose collection Checks 14 $5,515
Weekly Total 98 $20,713
Weekly Parish Budget Needs $20,500
SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY 6
though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
Leaders who make decisions Father, we seek Your wisdom daily. Be with those who make decisions that affect the lives and future of our families, communities, country and the wider world. We pray they communicate clearly, with calm truth - with each other and with the public - that their messages are received and heed-ed. May people setting policies for our protection be an example of truth and empathy. He delivered us from such deadly peril, and on him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again, as you help us by your prayers. II Corinthians 1:10-11
Families adjusting to new routines Holy Spirit, as families adjust to everyone being home as businesses and schools have closed, we ask that You guide people in their new realities. Give spouses grace for one another. Prompt worn-out moms and dads to speak words of kindness and encouragement to their children. Help chil-dren find creative ways to experience the beauty of all You have created and continue learning. Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. Psalm 57:1
All who are facing financial stress Jesus, thank You for Your faithfulness in how You guide and equip people in their jobs and providing in the past. It is overwhelming now to worry about how bills and obligations will be met, and wonder if their families will be provided for. Bring comfort and peace under the strain of financial uncertainty, bring comfort, peace and remind them You are there for them. Provide for them in their times of need. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
Grocery workers/delivery drivers Lord, we are so grateful for all the people who continue to work each day so people are able to eat. We ask that You bless and protect them as they serve. Give them the grace to handle disgruntled customers during a shortage of sup-plies. Keep their bodies healthy as they unload and stock boxes of supplies. Keep their vehicles running smoothly as they deliver needed supplies and food that people order online. Protect them all from contracting the new corona-virus. Because of your love we are not consumed for your compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
Prayer for Compassion Merciful God, open my heart and mind to be fully present to those I interact with throughout the day. Allow me to listen without passing judgement or haste to solve what I cannot change. Give me patience and understanding, and grant me grace in my shortcomings. Be with me in times of fatigue and lift me up with the strength to carry out your compassionate love to all those I meet. Amen.
Say a Prayer for all those effected by the COVID-19 PLEASE PRAY FOR ... Those infected by the virus and facing quarantine. Jesus, during Your ministry on Earth You showed Your power and compassion by healing people of all ages and stations of life from physical, mental, and spiritual ailments. Be pre-sent now to people who need Your loving touch due to this virus. May they feel Your power of healing thru the care of doctors and nurses. Take away the fear and anxiety of isolation from people receiving treatment or under quaran-tine. Give them a sense of purpose to pursue good health and protect others from exposure to the coronavirus dis-ease. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
All those at high risk of the disease Dear Lord, we lift to You our concern for people who are most likely to become severely ill from COVID-19: the el-derly and people with chronic health conditions. We pray for people of every age who can also be effected. Protect them from harm and be their comfort in this time of uncer-tainty and, for many, preventive isolation from loved ones. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Pe-ter 5:7
Medical professionals/researchers Dear God, as more people get sick, health care workers and first responders are working longer hours with fewer supplies and with more risk of contracting the new virus themselves. Renew their energy and sustain them on long shifts. Bring Your protection upon them as they work with patients. Multiply their supplies so they have the protective items needed to stay safe on the job. Inspire and invigorate research doctors who work to develop better tests to diag-nose the virus, create vaccines to prevent it, and identify protocols to eliminate the spread of the disease. Even
Please Pray for our Deployed Military & Families
Ryan Harrison & Trey Johnston
In Need of Prayers… Bradford Heights – Lynda Combs Carriage Way Assisted Living- Eleanor Rogers, Albert Weakly Covington Convalescent– Pat Chesnut Western State Nursing Facility- Debbie Dickerson, Ellen Jones Christian Health Center- Lillian Cotthoff, Norma Downs, Barbara Holubecki, Christine Mills Others.. Helen Allard, Dick & Jackie Arnold, Sherry Beck, Ruth Britt, Carolyn Brown, Helen Brown, Judy Brummett, Adley Shay Buckner, Colleen Buehrle, Sherry Calhoun, Sam Chesnut, Martha Fowler, Nancy Freeman, Jim Gorman, Bill Hancock, William Hancock, Bill Hen-ney, Heather Jeffries, Leigh Ann Johnson, Tony Jones, Charlie Keel, Jane Lucas, Kathy Lytle, WP Meredith III, Joe Mezzoni Sr., Jim Milazzo, Cecelia Omundson, Teresa Pazin, Martha Reed, Tara & Dylan Rush, Al Rutland, Frank Selph, Mary Catherine Smith, Beth Snyder, Rocky Spader, Mike & Marilyn Stocker, Georgiann Sves-tka, Jerry & Bernie Thomas, Ron Todd, Clyde Wallace, Helen Winstead, Pamela Mezzoni Wofford. Names will remain on the this list for 1 month...
APRIL 26, 2020 • THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER 7
needed was just one spark to ignite their faith in Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. As the stranger began the third night’s Seder, he broke the bread as was his custom now-become-Eucharist. The light of understanding flared and they saw him as himself, their Lord, in and with the broken bread. His vanishing did not disturb their faith, for they had now seen and had received him. He was still with them, the very source of their faith, now ignited and enlightened by the word of God. Did you ever wonder how they got back on the road and made the seven mile night-time journey back to Jerusa-lem? Well, Passover begins with the full moon of spring. They traveled back that night with quite a bit of moonlight available still. Nor did they tarry. They were in time to join the eleven and the others who had learned of the Lord’s meeting Simon Peter and in time to be together when he joined all of them in the upper room that Easter night (Luke being unaware of Thomas’ absence). It was quite a scene and no little commotion. With you and me, it is not our experience that Jesus in-vades us with his startling, risen presence to ignite our faith. We have not walked his years of ministry with him. We have not felt his hand on our shoulder or heard his parables from his own mouth. We have not looked into his eyes or felt his gaze searching ours. The first disciples experienced all of that and that was not what brought them to faith. It had prepared them. They were shaken to the core by his crucifixion, their earthly faith defeated by his death. Only then were they prepared to receive and to perceive the unimaginable truth of who he is and what he has accom-plished. They were completely emptied out of their own pre-conceptions, just as he had emptied himself completely for them. The Risen Christ then filled them with himself and with the Holy Spirit and made them new people from out of the Israel of old. And then the Lord Jesus Christ made of them the instrument by which he ignites our faith and joins us to himself. Our own pre-conceptions and designs do not work either and will not do. You and I must humbly be emptied of ourselves and accept the gospel through these first witnesses and through all those in unbroken communion with them down the avenues of time in order for us to know the Lord Jesus Christ in the same Holy Spirit adopted as children of the one and only living God. Only in this way can we come to know him in the breaking of the bread. Fr. Richard
Marriage Renewal Date-Night Series Join Catholic couples from around the country for a 5-part marriage enrichment and renewal series for all ages. During this time of social isolation, our Domestic Church and rela-tionship with God and others is in greater need than ever. This is our time as married couples to shine, to be the light to those in our homes and communities. Register today and let your marriage BE LIGHT!
Date Night Series begins Sunday, April 26 and continues for 5 nights (April 26-30)
available after 7:00 pm CST each night. For information and FREE registration,
visit: witnesstolove.org/belight.
Pastor’s Greeting, OUR ROAD TO EMMAUS The gospel text for the Third Sunday of Easter this pandemic year is taken from Luke 24, verses 13-35, the account of two disciples on the road to Emmaus and their encounter with the crucified and
risen Lord. It takes place on the afternoon of the first day of the week, the day after the Sabbath–the Sabbath that year also being the first day of Passover, according to John–so on the second day of Passover. These two disci-ples were leaving Jerusalem, not staying for the rest of the festival. Presumably, they lived in the town of Emmaus, about seven miles away from Jerusalem. For them, at least for Cleopas, the one who does most of the talking, with the crucifixion of Jesus the festival was over. Their hopes were dashed. Events had proven that Jesus of Nazareth was not the longed for redeemer after all. True, some of the wom-en disciples were claiming that they had found the tomb empty that very morning and had had a vision of angels who claimed that Jesus was alive. But the men had not ver-ified this and Cleopas did not believe it. The two were discussing these things as they made their way home. Then, a stranger, walking the same way, joined them. As I hear the narrative, I imagine the two disciples as a couple, a husband and wife pair. The text does not say this, but it is suggestive. Before the stranger joins them, they are “conversing” and “debating”–they are arguing. Both talking, and in an apparently energetic way. When joined by the stranger, only Cleopas speaks, the other re-maining silent (social norm: husband speaks, wife is silent in such a context). Cleopas is amazed at the ignorance of the stranger, who like them is leaving Jerusalem. In telling the stranger about Jesus, we see the state of Cleopas’ under-standing and lost faith: (1) Jesus of Nazareth was indeed a prophet; (2) He was rejected by the Jewish authorities and crucified; (3) The disciples had hoped he would be the Re-deemer of Israel (past tense); (4) that was three days ago; (5) Today, the women could not find his body and (6) claimed they had had a vision of angels who declared him to be alive; (7) the men, “some of those with us,” found the tomb to be empty but did not see him. Thus Cleopas has explained why the two were leaving Jerusalem. It seems to me that they were arguing over the claims of the wom-en. I figure two men would be in agreement, but his wife might well protest Cleopas’ narrow-mindedness and per-haps his lack of faith. The stranger challenges their point of view. He chides their folly in preferring their own point of view over that of the prophets. Whereas they were hop-ing for a redeemer of Israel, God has sent them a Messiah, who would suffer so as to enter his glory. From there the stranger laid out the scriptures for them from Moses through the prophets. Apparently he was not a disappoint-ed disciple fleeing Jerusalem, nor as uninformed as he had appeared. Joining them at table in Emmaus, all three of them resumed the celebration of Passover, once more faith-ful Israelites. Their spirits had been lifted, all that was