In a thirty minute video on the topic of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, one of the questions posed is: "How many people asked for forgiveness from the Lord in the Gospels?". Many are surprised when the correct answer, zero, is given. As we know, the Lord's mercy is extended often in the Gospels and it comes time after time with a presence and posture that is open to God's mercy. It comes to people who have come to recognize that their life has been damaged (and has damaged others) because of their poor disposition and choices. It comes to people who don't even know that they need God's mercy, for example, those who were responsible or complicit in Jesus's crucifixion (see Luke 23:34). Does all this mean that we don't need to ask for the Lord's mercy for our unhealthy thoughts, words, and/or behavior? Jesus himself lauded to his disciples the tax collector who came to the temple to pray and beat his breast saying "O God be merciful to me a sinner". (Luke 18:13) Jesus recognized the man's humble disposition (head bowed) and, yes, his words of admission that he was a sinner, and was indirectly asking his disciples AND US to follow such behavior that comes from a heart that is contrite and a mind that know he or she needs the Lord in order to be forgiven and be led to and strive to follow the right path. The A, B, C's of the Divine Mercy Devotion that was given by the Lord in a private revelation to St Faustina begins with asking for God's mercy. While we humbly verbalize this in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (and hear Jesus, through the instrument of the ordained priest say "I absolve you of your sins," our time in private prayer whether it's a few minutes or an our or more is, firstly, a humble admission that I need God in my life (which includes his mercy), and definitely says (perhaps without thought) that I cannot make it or make it very well on my own. In the Easter season we reflect on the ongoing presence and power of God working in our minds and hearts. Through the Holy Spirit who was given to us in our baptism and strengthened in us in our Confirmation, he is ready to enkindle within us the fire of God's love (and mercy). We are doubly blessed to have Jesus with us "until the end of time," (Matthew 28:20) as he comes to us in his body and blood, AND we have God's healing, comforting, giving Spirit to be grounded and stay grounded in mercy and love and witness the blessings that come to us and others from it day after day!

Since the start of our VIP (Very Important Parishioner) monthly recognition of parishioners who go beyond the pews and even the parish to give of thier God-given time and talents to the Lord and others, we have been blessed to offer thanks to God and acknowledge them in a variety of ways (including their pictures on a billboard in the hallway from the Narthex and a wall in the lower hall). Today I wanted to give a BIG SHOUT-OUT to many VIPS who worked together, some behind the scenes, and others in the liturgies and activities that surrounded the Easter Triduum which gave praise to teh Lord and touched the minds and hearts of those who participated in our parish. The behind the scenes people were our decorating group (headed by Sandy Darnell), our banner group (headed by Fred and Linney Rohrer), our wonderful altar linen person, Betty Mierzwoiak (with helper Ed Pawelski), our wonderful sacristan, Mark Lukasavige (and his assistants), the Men's Clug (headed by David Banaszynski) who did the set-up, clean-up, and serving of the delicious parish dinner on Holy Thursday (prepared by Chef Johnna), the ladies (headed up by Susan Harrell) who did the set-up, serving and clean-up of the Good Friday lunch (prepared, again, by Chef Johnna) and Dave Witchger who provided the amterials and set-up of he Easter Fire. The music ministry prople (headed up by Kathleen Kinney) worked hard behind the scenes and at ALL the liturgies of the Triduum (including both Masses on Easter Sunday) and helped us in lifting up our minds and our singing voices to the Lord in thanks for the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of the lord. I was blessed to have two deacons, BJ Bowen and Gary Christoff (both of our parish) covering all the liturgies starting with those for Palm Sunday.they certainly add greatly to the solemnity and importance of what we do up on the altar. Then there were the lectors whose efforts of practice were obvious in the wonderful way they proclaimed the important scripture passages of Palm Sunday and throughout the Triduum. Our  ushers came for practices and early for the liturgies and maeuvered beautifully the "unique" responsibilities they had for these special liturgies. The altar servers were also a blessing in what they practiced and did for our Holy Week liturgies. I dare not leave out our Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion at the liturgies and those who took Communion to our shut ins. Finally, there were our scheduled adorers who came to church to pray in helping to keep the Triduum as one long vigil from Thursday night until Saturday night (especially Lori Vincent who covered at least 3 hours in teh wee hours of Good Friday morning). If I could add up all these people and list all of their names, I would need much longer than the normal Pastor's "column". I am humbly and sincerely grateful for them and for their patience with me in the practices and liturgies. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!

As I compose this pastor's column on Monday of Holy Week, anticipating the "Great Three Days" of commemorating, in a special way, the "Paschal Mystery", I am also preparing to go to LIttle Rock for the Chrism Mass and will be offering the daily invocation at the Arkansas State House of Representatives. The latter of these takes my mind to one aspect of the Good Friday liturgy that doesn't get that much attention or reflection. While the "Veneration of the Cross" by everyone who participates in this liturgy (communally and individually) is the highlight and is remembered the most by those who are blessed to do it, there is something that happens (or as you read this, recently happened) at the Good Friday liturgy that is both the same as what occurs at every Mass, but somewhat different as well. It is the "Solemn Intercessions" or what is popularly know as the "Prayer of the Faithful" that is offered up to God after the homily (and at Sunday Masses, after the "Profession of Faith"). The Solemn Intercessions on Good Friday (unlike the ones we normally offer at Mass), give us a set number (ten) and focus on who and/or what we are praying for. In this case, the entire Church throughout the world is lifting up its communal voice to God for the following: the Holy Church, the pope, for all orders and degrees of the faithful, for catechumens (who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil), for the unity of Christians, for the Jewish people, for those who do not believe in Christ, for those who do not believe in God, for those in public office, and finally for those in tribulation. These, when taken together, include prayers for many people from those within the Church and those outside the community of the Church. I wish I had the time and space to comment upon each of these. Since I don't, I ask you, going forward, to reflect on these, save them and lift them up to the Lord in your prayer time every day. While some these ten intentions are prayed for in every Mass, some are rarely , if ever, prayed for (except by the whole Church on Good Friday). These others are certainly worthy of and need our prayers throughout the year, expecially those who do not yet know God and his Son, Jesus Christ. As we enter into the glorious Easter season, having gone through the Lenten Season, with it spiritual and corporal disciplines, and renewing our baptismal promises at the Easter Vigil, I pray that we have been so invigorated and renewed in Christ and in who we are as God's adopted children that we all will be more focused on bringing our faith in Christ in word and deed to others, and be one inspriation (through the workings of the Holy Spirit) for people to come to faith in God, and in Jesus Christ and make the choice to be baptized, be welcomed into the Church of God (and for some, our parish community) and live as, hopefully, we all should do, rejoicing in the crucified and risen Lord and what that means for us and all believers in a fulfilling life in this world and life unending with the Lord in his glory.