FROM FATHER STEVE

                During these weeks of the Easter season, we are invited to trace our spiritual ancestry back to our roots in those first believers in the risen Lord. What may surprise us is that their story begins with their initial struggles with belief. This is illustrated with the story of Thomas in today’s gospel (John 20) on this Second Sunday of Easter. Thomas needed time to come to believe (so do many other disciples). We also learn that those first disciples were still battling their own fears and failures, and Jesus offers them “peace.” Ultimately, our spiritual story speaks of the powerful change that happened to all of them as they encountered the risen Lord. As we listen to their story, we must ask—how has our encounter with the Risen Christ changed us?

                Today, March 30, is Divine Mercy Sunday. A special prayer service, led by Father Steve, will be held at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon celebrating the Divine Mercy of God wrought by Christ’s death and resurrection. The service will include the praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet and conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Members of the Knights of Columbus will be involved with the procession. We hope many parishioners can join us!

                Next weekend, April 5-6, is St. Meinrad Sunday Weekend. Benedictine Father Brendan Moss from St. Meinrad Archabbey, will be here to celebrate the Masses to explain the important work of St. Meinrad and to inspire more interest in vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Parishioners will receive a follow-up mailing from the archabbey. I know you will give Father Brendan a warm welcome.

I had the opportunity to participate in the opening Mass for the National Catholic Education Association’s National Meeting in Indianapolis last Tuesday. Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk of Cincinnati was the principal celebrant. During his Easter homily, he mentioned that all of our educational efforts needed to have the message of the risen Christ at its foundation. Archbishop Daniel Wuerl of Washington, D.C. picked up a similar theme as he gave his talk to priests during their afternoon day of reflection at St. John’s church. The archbishop mentioned that there are many Catholics (some non-practicing) who are basically good folks but lack the educational background of the faith to either understand it themselves or to hand it on to their children. He mentioned that priests have two privileged moments when they can teach—the Sunday homily and through the parish bulletin. He also suggested that priests can take advantage at sacramental celebrations, blessings, and invocations, to teach some aspect of the faith.

                Hopefully you have heard that Archbishop Daniel is making progress with his chemotherapy treatments and hopes to return to public ministry on June 7, the day of Priesthood Ordinations. Because of his low white blood cell count (and the concern about becoming infected), he is making no public engagements until June.

Father Steve

Start the closet cleaning for the Spring

Please bring clean ready for sale items

No one thing to small or no amount to large..

Drop off      April 2nd        7:30 am – 4:30 p.m.

Sale            April 3^rd          8:00 am – 4:00 p.m.

Sale            April 4th.        8:00 am – 3:00 p.m.

Everything that is not sold goes to Catholic Charities of

Terre Haute for the needy.

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2007 – 2110  Legacy / Mission

Goal                         $425,000

Pledges received      $318,552

Balance                   $106,448

% Received                        75

# cards received               190

% of cards received          44.7

please return your card with or without a pledge      Thank you

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Prayers for Priests

This week please pray for:  Archbishop Daniel Buechlein, Fr. Stephen Jarrell, Fr. Wm Munshower, Fr. Thomas Murphy, Fr. Scott Nobbe, Fr. John O’Brien, Fr. Glenn O’Connor, Fr. Michael O’Mara, and the following seminarians; Sean Danda, Jeremy Gries, John Hollowell, Peter Marshall, Dustin Boehm, and Jerry Byrd and Oscar Vasquez.