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First Communion Sunday
Diane Winkowski • May 02, 2024
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We are blessed to celebrate the Sacrament of First Communion in our parish. Nine of our religious education students will receive Eucharistic Jesus in their hearts during our solemn Mass at 10:30am on Sunday. It is always great to see the children wearing formal attire, crowning Mary, praying hard, and reading and singing during their First Communion Mass. I invited and encouraged other children and youth of our parish to join us on this special occasion. It is a good opportunity to remember the day we received the First Communion a few or perhaps many years ago. Children who will receive Holy Communion this Sunday: Bradley, Vivian, Ella, Lincoln, Mark, Diezel, Henry, Grace, Jocelyn.
I would like to express my gratitude to the children who will receive their First Communion. We wish them to follow Jesus closely, who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). We encourage them to continue their religious education at our parish in the following years, and receive another important Sacrament, Confirmation in a few years. I am grateful to their parents for their support and good example, and their family members for being with them and with us during this special day at St. Martin of Tours. To the teachers, especially Joy Heuser and Carey Logan, who have been preparing our
children for their First Communion. I am also grateful to those who prepared our liturgy, took photos, and decorated the church for this occasion.
At the same time, I will take this opportunity to remind a few principles about receiving Holy Communion and reverence of Eucharist at St. Martin of Tours parish.
It is a very special moment of encounter with Eucharistic Jesus during receiving Holy Communion. Holy Communion could be received as either bread or bread and wine. The wine (cup) is not necessary when receiving the Eucharist but we encourage our parishioners to receive Holy Communion in both forms. There are three essential requirements to receive Holy Communion:
1. The person must be baptized and have understanding of faith in the real presence of Christ in
the Eucharist.
2. The person must be in the state of grace, which is, at the moment of the Holy Communion,
be free from a mortal sin.
3. The person must fast at least one hour before receiving Holy Communion.
Fasting does not include taking medication and drinking water.
In short, we are encouraged to receive Holy Communion during Mass. Holy Mass without Communion is like a birthday party without dinner and a cake. However, we receive Holy Communion only in the state of grace, without a mortal sin.
Additionally, we receive Holy Communion on the hand or tongue. Both ways are equally correct. Feel free to receive the Blessed Host either way. But even more important is to reflect about if you are ready to receive Eucharistic Jesus into your heart. Please take some time to pray in silence before and after receiving Holy Communion.
Lastly, you can receive Holy Communion every day during Holy Mass. We have daily Mass at 8.30am (except Saturday Mass is at 4pm) in our church. You are welcome to join us for weekly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and opportunity for confession on Monday at 6pm.
Holy Communion helps us to understand the act of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection. It strengthens our faith and encourages us on the journey to Salvation. Let’s be grateful for the great gift of Eucharist in our life.
Fr. Andrzej
Similarly to Ascension of the Lord, there is inconsistency in the Scriptures regarding the date of the feast of the Holy Spirit. Traditionally we celebrate the feast fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus. Pentecost means fifty in Greek. This date is mentioned in the Act of the Apostles in chapter two. However, according to the gospel of John, the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles on Easter Sunday, the same day Jesus raised from the dead (John 20:21-23). It is another proof the Bible is not a historical and scientific book. The Bible uses symbols, images, and stories to explain and lead us to God. Additionally, this inconsistency on the date of the feast helps us realize we cannot control or explain the mystery of the Holy Spirit. Elsewhere in his gospel John writes about it: “the Spirit blows wherever it pleases. You hear it sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going” (John 3:8). The Holy Spirit works even within us, and everywhere God desires. I was preparing for the feast of Pentecost and working on my homily a few years ago. It was Saturday evening, Eve of the feast. I was not happy when I received a sick call. I had to travel far to another village to perform the sacrament of anointing and bring Holy Communion to a dying man. I felt it interrupted my preparation, and Pentecost will not be celebrated profoundly as I wanted. I realized very soon I was totally wrong. That visit was very meaningful. The old dying man was full of pain and fear of death. He was not able to receive the entire blessed host into his mouth. I had to break it to a tiny little piece. And then, after receiving Holy Communion a miracle happened. That person started to smile and felt at peace. He could not speak but I clearly sensed he was grateful. His family who gathered around his bed, experienced spiritual joy and felt at peace as well. They started to praise God for God’s sustenance and love. I strongly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit among us in the hospital room. I was grateful for that unexpected experience of God’s Spirit on the Vigil of the feast of the Holy Spirit. It was a very meaningful Pentecost that year for me. I understood profoundly these words of the Scriptures: “the Spirit blows wherever it pleases…” Jesus Christ lived on earth two thousand years ago. It was definitely a privilege and very special time for people who Jesus met, taught, and ministered to. It was just a limited number of people Jesus was able to meet, in limited time and a relatively small part of the world. That is why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to reach everyone and everywhere in the world. Thus, his love, grace, and all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are available to everyone who desires and is open for God. The significance and power of today’s feast is the fact God can cross the limit of time, place, and even mentality of people to spiritually touch and heal everyone God desires to do so. It is possible through the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the world because indeed “the Spirit blows wherever it pleases…” Let’s be open to the presence and light of the Holy Spirit in our life. The Holy Spirit is close to us even when we are not aware of it. We cannot pray, make good decision, study and be healed without the influence of the Holy Spirit. We cannot be saved without the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Let’s be grateful for today’s feast and the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the world and our life. Fr. Andrzej
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Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” This name is determined by the gospel passage about the Good Shepherd, which we always read on this Sunday. Today we read the gospel of John. We learn the Good Shepherd loves his sheep and he knows them by name. The author of the gospel makes an important point, the Good Shepherd has a close relationship with his sheep and, contrary to a hired man, he does not run away but stays with his sheep during danger and time of trial. Additionally, the Good Shepherd searches for the lost sheep, finds it and brings it back to his fold. The first Christians knew and believed in Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In fact, the painting of the Good Shepherd is the most common of the symbolic representations of Christ found in early Christian art in the Catacombs of Rome, and was probably the most original image of Jesus Christ for the first Christian community (The painting of Christ as the Good Shepherd can be seen in the Catacombs of Priscilla on the Via Salaria in Rome). Fr. Leo John Dehon, the founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart loved the image of the Good Shepherd as it is presented in the Gospel. When he visited the Catacombs in Rome, Fr. Dehon realized the image of the Good Shepherded represents well the truth of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Since then, Fr. Dehon often spoke and presented the Sacred Heart as the Good Shepherd in his homilies and writings. Thus, Fr. Dehon beautifully described the Sacred Heart as Father, Mother, and Shepherd in his book, The Priestly Heart of Jesus , “The Heart of Jesus is overflowing with compassion for all those who suffer; those beset by troubles, difficulties, and hardships; for the hungry, the toilers, the destitute, and the sick and infirm. His is the heart of a Father, the heart of a Mother, the heart of a Shepherd” ( The Priestly Heart of Jesus, Thirty-Three Meditations , Chicago, 1947, p. 97). Today many SCJs repeat these words of Fr. Dehon at the beginning of Mass, during the penitential rite, when they encourage people to recall the love of God in their lives, because “his is the heart of a Father, his is the heart of a Mother, his is the heart of a Shepherd.” The Good Shepherd with a sheep on his shoulders, stands for Fr. Dehon as an icon of God, who is loving, kind, and merciful. God makes an incredible effort to reach everyone but especially those who are lost, unheard, and least among us. God sent his Son to save his people (Jn 3:16). It is God, in the person of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who loves his sheep and is ready to leave the ninety-nine to find the lost one (Lk 15:3-7). “Move out of the sacristy and go to the people” became an essential part of Fr. Dehon’s spirituality and ministry. According to his biographers, Fr. Dehon did not only write and speak about God in the image of the Good Shepherd, but in his own life he also followed the idea and example described in the Gospel. Fr. Dehon loved the people with whom he worked and ministered to. He tried to reach everyone in his community, local Church and in the missions. He practiced the availability and kindness of a Good Shepherd during his ministry, and when he was at home with his community. He was able to listen and understand them. Because of his pleasant and warm personality, Fr. Dehon was known as “Le Très Bon Père” [the very good father] (Andre Perroux, Leo Dehon: Passion for Christ: A Passion for the World , Hales corners, WI, p.71). We are encouraged by today’s gospel and the example of Fr. Dehon to see God as the Good Shepherd. God searches for our close relationship and takes care of us during trial and danger. We are encouraged to trust in God because we are safe in his fold. At the same time, we must spread and continue the mission of the Good Shepherd in our community and society. In our most recent Vision and Mission statement as St. Martin of Tours parish, “we strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ to serve those in need and to become the Good Shepherds for them.” Let’s remember to become the Good Shepherds to those in need and to each other in our parish and larger community during this Easter season. Fr. Andrzej
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The Second Sunday of Easter ends the Easter Octave. The Second Sunday of Easter was once called “Dominica in albis,” (Sunday in white) because it was on the eighth day the newly baptized at the Easter Vigil finally took off the white robes they were given at the baptismal font. They were considered as fully baptized and proficient in faith. Octave, which comes from the number eight in Greek, has a symbolic meaning in the Bible. It means accomplishment, fullness, and beginning of new reality. When eight is mentioned it means something new or complete. God created the world in seven days and on the eighth day, the new world started to function. New creation, the harmony created out of chaos, began to function. Thus, every important event and feast has an octave to prolong and celebrate it to the fullness. After the octave it is accomplished. Number eight was significant for Jews as well. New babies must be presented in the temple on the eighth day after the birth. Many purifications, circumcisions, and offerings were prescribed on the eighth day in the Hebrew culture and faith. We always read the gospel about Jesus and Thomas the second Sunday of Easter. Thomas doubted the resurrection of Jesus but his personal encounter with the Lord healed his unbelief. It is meaningful that Jesus met and reconciled with doubting Thomas on the eighth day after his resurrection. It is a beautiful message to all of us who doubt and hesitate to follow Jesus to the fullness. Today ends the Easter Octave. We must believe to the fullness and spread the message of resurrection to the whole world. The Second Sunday of Easter is also celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday. This feast is one of the newest and has been celebrated in the Church for twenty-four years. On Divine Mercy Sunday, April 30, 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized Saint Faustina Kowalska and dedicated the World to God’s Mercy. The same day, the Pope declared the Second Sunday of Easter as "Divine Mercy Sunday.” In his Bull, Misericordiae Multus, introducing the Jubilee Year of Mercy (2015), Pope Francis calls Jesus Christ “the face of the Father’s mercy.” According to Pope Francis, Mercy does not mean forgiveness of sins and mistakes. It is rather about practicing the ‘works of mercy.’ Mercy means love in action. When we practice the ‘works of mercy,’ love in action, we continue the mission of Jesus and are called “the face of the Father’s mercy” as well. The Pope challenges us to go to the people to practice charity. As Christians we are not just called to pray and enjoy our relationship with God, we are called to be for others and practice mercy. “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Mt 9:13). Divine Mercy Sunday reminds and encourages us to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus not just with words but to practice it with works of mercy. It is more authentic and meaningful when we practice what we believe. Divine Mercy message encourages us to be “the face of the Father’s mercy” for those who are in need. Let’s make an effort and find those who are in need of God’s mercy at St. Martin of Tours. “All grace flows from mercy, and the last hour abounds with mercy for us. Let no one doubt the goodness of God; even if a person’s sins were as dark as night, God’s mercy is stronger than our misery … One thing alone is necessary; the sinner set ajar the door of his heart, be it ever so little, to let in a ray of God’s merciful grace, and then God will do the rest.” ( The Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska , 1507) Fr. Andrzej
This week we begin Holy Week. It is the most important and meaningful week in the liturgical year. Not just the Lenten season but the entire Liturgical Year prepares us for the celebrations of the Holy Week. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, when Jesus made his final entrance into Jerusalem, and culminates with Easter Sunday. As it has been a tradition at St. Martin of Tours, we will commemorate the solemn entrance of Jesus with a procession with palm branches before every Mass. Another tradition of our parish community on Palm Sunday is the brunch. Hopefully you will join us for a delicious breakfast with your entire family and friends. It will be a wonderful opportunity to begin this holy time with fellowship and community support. Every day of Holy Week is holy. It is up to each of us to make it special in our personal, family, and community life. Make an effort to be closer to God and each other during these blessed days. As Holy Week progresses to its final days the solemnity heightens. Sundown on Holy Thursday to sundown on Easter Sunday is considered the most solemn part, the pick of Holy Week. This three-day period is referred to as the Easter Triduum, also known as the Sacred Triduum, or Paschal Triduum. The name ‘Sacred Triduum’ comes from Latin words, and literally means ‘three holy days’ or rather, ‘three holy events,’ which totally changed the salvation history. We will once again celebrate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ during these three holy events. The evening Mass on Holy Thursday begins the first event, which is the celebration of the Lord's Supper. This is where the Church re-lives the institution of the Eucharist and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, as well as the institution of priesthood. The Last Supper Mass is scheduled at 7pm at St. Martin of Tours. The beautiful ceremony of "washing of the feet," which is a meaningful part of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, reminds us about Jesus, who “came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mt 20:28). It is an invitation to all of us to serve others. The second sacred event of the Sacred Triduum is Good Friday. The Church commemorates and celebrates the day of the Passion and death of Jesus. There are many traditions and devotional celebrations on Good Friday. In our parish we have the Stations of the Cross at 3pm. This year we will have two different Stations of the Cross. One outside around the cemetery led by our religious education youth and children, and the other inside the church led by Human Concerns. Feel free to join either group. Then, as it is in our tradition we will serve soup at 5pm prepared by different groups and individual people. This simple bowl of soup reminds us about fasting and abstinence on Good Friday. The main Good Friday liturgy is scheduled at 7pm. We will read the Passion of Christ and Venerate the Cross. Hopefully each of us will have a moment to encounter the cross of Jesus during the liturgy or afterwards at the tomb of Christ in the narthex. Holy Saturday used to be called Black Saturday. ‘Black’ refers to the fact Jesus descended into hell (Apostles Creed). Jesus enters the underworld to visit the dead, who were awaiting salvation. Upon his entering, Jesus frees them from the chains of death ( Liturgy of the Hours , Office of Readings, Holy Saturday). Holy Saturday is a day of silence, emptiness without singing, and decoration in the churches. Another beautiful tradition on Holy Saturday is the blessing of Easter baskets at 3pm. Please bring any kind of food you will have at the Easter table for the blessing on Holy Saturday. The third sacred event of the Sacred Triduum is the celebration of resurrection. Easter Vigil will begin at 8pm with a meaningful celebration of darkness and light, fire and water, the World of God and Eucharist. We will sing solemn Alleluia and renew our baptismal promises during our celebration of Easter Vigil. It will be a wonderful celebration of new life, which Easter announces to the World. Easter Sunday ends Sacred Triduum and begins Easter season. Masses are scheduled as usual on Sunday at 8:30 and 10:30am in English, and 12:30pm in Vietnamese. I am grateful and encouraged by the fact, both communities of our parish, English and Vietnamese, will celebrate the Sacred Triduum liturgies together, as one Christian family. Please join us for these most solemn celebrations of our Catholic faith. Fr. Andrzej