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Fri4:00 PMGood Friday
Fri7:00 PMGood Friday
Sat5:00 PMcancelled March 30

“YOU DID NOT CHOOSE ME, BUT I CHOSE YOU”.

In the Old Testament, God wanted the blessing of Hebrew people not to be exclusive but extended to all nations. Ever since the call of Abraham he had said: “By you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves”.

Thus Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, understood that “God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him”. Peter’s gesture becomes an image of the Church open to all of humanity inviting us in following the great tradition of our church and of our communities, that we may be genuine witnesses of God’s love for mankind.

But how can we, in our weakness, carry this love?

St John, in the second reading, tells us emphatically that liberation from sin and from its consequences does not come about by our own initiative, but of God’s.

It was not we who love Him but He who loved us and who took upon Himself our sin and washed it away with the Blood of Christ. God loved us first and wants us to enter into His communion of love, to collaborate in His work of Redemption.

In the Gospel passage the invitation of the Lord resonates:

“I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask Him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”

It is a message meant in a specific way for the Apostles but, in a broad sense, regards all the disciples of Jesus.

The whole church, all of us are sent out into the world to spread the Gospel message and the good news of salvation. But it is always God’s initiative; He calls us to various ministries, to married life, to working in the world.

So that each one plays a proper role for the common good.

The word of God, that we have heard, is a powerful invitation to live God’s love for everyone, and, among its distinctive values, the culture of this land includes solidarity, attention to the weakest, and respect for the dignity of each person.

Your capacity to welcome those who have come here recently in search of freedom and work, is well known. To show solidarity with the poor is to recognize the plan of God the creator, who made us all one single family.

To this, we have to only look at the suffering in India due to the Pandemic.

I invite you to join in solidarity with our South Asian community on May 17th between 7 p.m. and 8.00 pm to light a candle and pray a rosary for them.

Through our prayers, we hope and trust that God will hear us and ease the suffering in India and all peoples in other countries suffering from this Pandemic.

Witnessing to the love of God by paying attention to the weakest is tied to the defense of human life, from its conception to its natural end is always an important factor to ensure a strong social fabric and offers hope for the future.

All are asked to respond generously to the Lord, sustained by His word which comforts us: “You did not choose me, but I chose you”.

At this time, we recognize our pastor Reverend Fr. Michael Machacek, who heard the call and after 6 years of studies was ordained to the priesthood. On Wednesday, May 11, 2021 Fr. Michael will be celebrating his 30th anniversary of ordination to the priest hood. What a blessing and privilege it is to have him as our pastor.

During the Pandemic, even though the "Churches" were closed, Fr. Michael insisted that this be written on the lawn sign "THE CHURCH IS CLOSED BUT OUR PARISH IS OPEN."

During this time we continue with our weekend communion services.

Thank you Fr. Michael for being our shepherd during these challenging times and keeping our FAITH ALIVE.

Do visit the parish website www.myparish.org for all details of how we will be honoring Fr. Michael on May 11, 2021 at 7.30 p.m. and do hope that many will join us.

Always remember: -

“YOU DID NOT CHOOSE ME, BUT I CHOSE YOU”.

 

May God bless you all.