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“Christ is already in that place of peace, which is all in all. He is on the right hand of God. He is hidden in the brightness of the radiance which issues from the everlasting throne. He is in the very abyss of peace, where there is no voice of tumult or distress, but a deep stillness–stillness, that greatest and most awful of all goods which we can fancy; that most perfect of joys, the utter profound, ineffable tranquility of the Divine Essence. He has entered into His rest. That is our home; here we are on a pilgrimage, and Christ calls us to His many mansions which He has prepared.”

~Cardinal John Henry Newman

May Devotions, consisting of the Rosary & Benediction, will take place on April 30th, May 7th, 14th, and 21st at 6:30pm.

Please come, bring the family to honor Our Blessed Mother; pray for peace and for your personal needs and the needs of others.

Also, join us for May Crowning on May 25th, 2pm in the upper church!

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“The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God…and if you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the family Rosary.”

~Pope Saint Pius X

Prayers also for God’s grace on those who will be receiving the sacrament of Confirmation on May 6th, 3pm. A heart-felt Thank You to the dedicated teachers involved in their training and preparation!

Dear Parishioners,

During the season of Lent we entered into the mystery of Christ’s suffering and death. Through prayer, fasting, and alms giving we resisted the same temptations that Satan put before Jesus during his forty days in the desert. With the help of God’s grace we did our best to become better people; more loving, more patient, more forgiving, less greedy, less jealous, and more like Jesus in dealing with others. While we may have fallen short on our journey to Easter, we would do well to remember that Jesus fell three times under the weight of his cross. He needed a complete stranger to help him carry it, needed Veronica to wash his face, and relied on Joseph of Arimathea for a place to be buried. Jesus entered into all of human limitations and became exposed in every way to the world. All this he endured as an act of sublime love for each one of us. The power of this love, which no tomb could contain, or death extinguish, is what we celebrate on Easter Sunday, and on every Sunday.

The life of every Christian proclaims this love to the world. We live in the hope of the resurrection, as we look forward to the life of the world to come. Like his disciples, who locked themselves in the upper room, we have heard the voice of Jesus, breaking through the walls of our fear and doubts, saying to us “Peace be with you.” Jesus told Peter that the gates of Hell and the jaws of death would not prevail against his church. We will die and rise to love many times through out our lifetime. There will, however, come a day when we will pass through the gate of death for the last time, and hear Jesus say to us, enter into the kingdom prepared for you since the beginning of time, “for I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.” May Christ, the morning star, rising from the grave, fill you with his light, and peace this Easter season.

~Fr. Gagné

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Lenten Reflection-Holy Saturday

Gen. 1: 1-2: 2; Ex. 14:15-15:1; Is. 55:1-11; Ez. 36: 16-17a, 18-28; Rom. 6: 3-11; Mark 16: 1-7;
The crowds have gone home and the streets of Jerusalem are empty this Sabbath morning. Those who cheered Jesus earlier this week and who cried out for his death yesterday have disappeared. But we can still hear them shouting “Away with him! Crucify him!” as we sit outside the tomb where his body was laid.

We rest against the huge rock that blocks the entrance. How could our journey end like this? We have nowhere to go, and so we stay here mourning while the soldiers guarding the tomb eye us suspiciously. We remember hearing Jesus cry out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” as he hung dying on the cross, and we find ourselves repeating the words now. His last words were “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Now his body is in the tomb, and we sit numbly and aimlessly outside.

Lord, everyone has gone away. There is no one to comfort me, as there was no one to comfort you in your last hours. Help me to say with you, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

~Rev. Roger C. Gagne

Solemn Liturgy of The Lord’s Passion: April 6, Masses – 3PM, and 6:30PM

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Lenten Reflection-Good Friday

Is. 52: 13-53: 12; Heb. 4: 14-16, 5: 7-9; Jn 18:1-19:42
The Passion of Jesus began last night in the garden, when he was in such agony that he sweated drops of blood and prayed to be delivered from his impending suffering and death. But he knew that his entire life had been a preparation for this hour, and he has accepted God’s plan to save the world by his Son’s act of love.

His betrayal sealed by a kiss, Jesus surrendered himself without a fight to those who would kill him. He now endures hours of unbelievable pain and degradation with humility and resignation. His body, nailed to a wooden cross, is lifted up for all to see. Above the noise of the jeering crowd, he is heard to say, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” The man who saved others does not lift a finger on his own behalf. Mute as a lamb before the slaughter, Jesus had been dragged before the religious and civil tribunals of his day. He was cut off from the land of the living. Who would have thought any more about him? It is Satan’s hour, the hour of the triumph of darkness.

Lord, I stand in horror at the foot of your cross. I watch in helpless desperation as you struggle to pull yourself up to catch a breath. I can do nothing to ease your pain. Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

~Rev. Roger C. Gagne

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Lenten Reflection-Holy Thursday

Exodus 12: 1-8, 11-14; 1 Cor. 11: 23-26; John 13:1-15:
When Jesus had his feet washed earlier this week, he was criticized by fellow guests who were made uncomfortable by this gesture of hospitality. Judas even protested the cost of the oil the woman used: “Could not this money have been given to the poor?” –although we know it was not the poor he was concerned about.

Jesus allowed this kindness from a woman not a member of his family to show that God is open to all who express love and generosity. Like Veronica, who will step from the crowd to wipe the face of Jesus, this woman was not afraid to act out of compassion. Now it is Jesus’ turn to wash feet, and Peter who protests. In both cases Jesus meets resistance, and in both cases he insists, because of the importance and meaningfulness of the gesture. He tells Peter that he can have no part in him if he does not agree. Jesus then tells the disciples that they must wash one another’s feet as he has done. In John’s Gospel the foot washing becomes a sign of what Eucharist is, the intimate sharing between God and us that takes place in Holy Communion.

Lord, you come to me by night when I am tired by life’s journey, and you wash my feet and renew my strength. Help me to do the same for those who journey with me.

~Rev. Roger C. Gagne

The final days of Jesus’ life on earth are depicted in tense, shadowy moments at table with his disciples. Both Matthew’s and John’s accounts of the final meal in the upper room contain elements of betrayal and darkness and dread. When Jesus says, “One of you will betray me,” Judas joins in with what the others are saying: “Surely it is not I, Lord.” Did Judas think that Jesus was a fool, as we sometimes think others are not capable of seeing through our lies? Judas could have taken the moment to fall down at the Lord’s feet and beg forgiveness; there was still time. But Judas had set his plan into motion, and would not turn back. Nor is his the only betrayal: Peter would deny him and the rest would run away, leaving him to face his death alone. Now we, too, are alone on the mountain, trying to rest but kept awake by the noises in the dark woods around us, our own transgressions and betrayals. How can we make it to the top without rest? Why did we ever leave the valley where life was easy?

Lord, in your great love, answer me.

~Rev. Roger C. Gagne

The power of God is revealed now in his vulnerability. As Isaiah writes, “He will not cry out or make his voice heard in the street. He shall not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick.” Today’s Gospel tells us that the Anointed of the Lord allows a woman to anoint his feet and dry them with her hair. We know that in a few days he will humbly wash the feet of his own disciples. We also learn that the chief priests, with the help of Judas, plan to kill Jesus and also Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

Lord, I am so afraid to let you and others into my life and the secret places of my soul. Like Judas, I betray you and your friendship.

~Rev. Roger C. Gagne

Betrayal, denial, and darkness are the themes of today’s liturgy. Isaiah reminds us that these are the reasons that Jesus must suffer and die. Jesus has sat at table with
his disciples many times, but now there is unrest. He tells them, “One of you will betray me” and the words hang in the air as the disciples question him. Finally he looks at Judas and tells him to do quickly what he must do. Judas goes out into the night. Betrayal is always such a dark moment. Peter professes his loyalty, but Jesus says, “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” No one dares to ask any more questions; even Peter is quiet.

Lord, I am alone now, and there is no one to help me. Like Peter, I am silent in the face of what you have just said.”

~Rev. Roger C. Gagne