Dear Friend,

The joy of Easter continues! The celebration of Christ’s Resurrection could never be contained by just one day. We rejoice for the entire season of Easter alongside the the emergence of Spring and new life!

We also rejoice that Deacon Falasiko who has served at Saint Andrew for the past year will soon be ordained a priest in his home diocese in Uganda.

His final Mass as a deacon at Saint Andrew will be this Sunday, April 11, at 9:00am. If you are at Mass in person, please wish him well, or leave him a congratulatory note or affirming remark at www.standrew.org/falasiko

Attendance at Mass on Sundays requires a reservation. Make your reservation to attend Mass at www.standrew.org/mass-reservations

The remainder of this webpage is the Your Sunday Connection prayer guide.

God of everlasting mercy, who in the very recurrence of the paschal feast kindle the faith of the people you have made your own, increase, we pray, the grace you have bestowed, that all may grasp and rightly understand in what font they have been washed, by whose Spirit they have been reborn, by whose Blood they have been redeemed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Reading I Acts 4:32-35
The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale,
and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.

Reading II 1 Jn 5:1-6
Beloved: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by him. In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments.
And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith. Who indeed is the victor over the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood. The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth.

Gospel Jn 20:19-31
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Please click on the video link below to watch the homily for this week.

For the Church, that we may strive to build a world where everyone cares for the common good, where no one is needy, and where everyone’s material needs are satisfied. We pray to the Lord LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

For leaders of nations, that they may work for justice and rec­onciliation within their countries and regions, seeking an end to conflict and discord.
We pray to the Lord LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

That we may be an instrument of peace in our nation and our community, especially between those who are divided by race, gender, class, or politics.
We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

For all who have been affected by COVID19, may God’s healing presence be comfort to them and bring health and well-being.
We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

For the departed, who remain with us in our prayers and our memories, and for the promise of a joyful reunion, and especially for:
+Frank J. Bettendorf, +Tom Diganci and +John and Virginia Kaufmam
We pray to the Lord LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER

Sometimes, receiving Holy Communion is not possible. Catholics in these cases are encouraged to make “Spiritual Communion.” St.Teresa of Jesus wrote about this practice:

“When you do not receive communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you”

Look upon your Church, O God, with unfailing love and favor, so that, renewed by the paschal mysteries, she may come to the glory of the resurrection, through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Wearin’ the Green

Please click on the button below to see a copy of the Sunday Bulletin.