Dear Sisters and Brothers,
On this 5th Sunday of Easter, we hear the words that Jesus addressed to the disciples at the end of the last Supper, just before facing the Passion. Jesus begins by saying, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” He says it to us, too, in the difficult moments of life. But how can we make sure that our hearts are not troubled? Because, our hearts do become troubled.
Jesus points out two remedies to being troubled. The first is, “Believe in me.” He knows that, in life, the worst anxiety, anguish, comes from the feeling of not being able to cope, from feeling alone and without points of reference when faced with events. This anguish, in which difficulties are added to difficulties, cannot be overcome alone. We need Jesus’ help, and that is why Jesus asks us to have faith in him.
The second remedy to our being troubled, which Jesus offers us is his promise: “In my Father’s house there are many rooms. I’m going to prepare a place for you.” Whatever be the struggles that we are going through, the assurance of Jesus that at the end of this short life, there is an eternal glory awaiting us together with him in heaven, gives us courage to face life with Christian faith.
On Saturday, May 9th, 20 of our children are going to receive Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time. We accompany them with our prayers as they prepare for this great day in their lives! I would like to thank their parents for accompanying them in their faith journey. Special thanks to Diane Parzyck, our DRE, and Sharon Zaldumbide and Tracy Balanca for the great pains they took in preparing them through the last 2 years!
During the First Communion Mass, we have the “May Crowning” which is a cherished Catholic tradition in May where children honor Mary by placing a crown of flowers on her statue, symbolizing her role as Queen of Heaven and Mother of God. All our First Communicants will participate in it by each one presenting flowers to Our Blessed Mother.
We are in the month of May, which is dedicated to our Blessed Mother. The month of May has 3 main Marian Feasts: Our Lady of Fatima on the 13th, Mary, Help of Christians on the 24th and Visitation on the 31st. Many of us have the devotional practice of reciting the rosary daily. Let us make it a habit to honor our Blessed Mother and ask for her intercession through the daily recitation of the rosary!
United in prayers,
Fr. Joy Jacob, SDB