As we gather this Divine Mercy Sunday, on the octave of Easter, our hearts are filled with immense joy and gratitude. Last week, our celebration of Easter Masses was a truly inspiring testament to the vibrancy and faith of our community. The sight of our church filled to the brim, with not a single seat left empty, was a profound reminder of the hope and renewal that Easter brings to our lives. It was a great day indeed, filled with the promise of new life and the joy of the Resurrection.
We were especially delighted to see so many of you bringing guests, opening your hearts to friends, family, and neighbors. Your warmth and hospitality were a living example of the Gospel’s call to love and welcome one another as Christ loves us. This welcoming spirit is at the heart of who we are as a Catholic community in St. Simon Parish, reflecting the inclusive love of God for all His children.
As I reflect on the joyous celebrations of our Easter Masses, I am filled with immense gratitude for each and every one of the ministers who gave so much of their time and talent. Their dedication and unwavering spirit of service played a crucial role in the beauty and success of our Holy Week liturgies. It was a time of profound spiritual renewal for our parish community, made possible by their generous contributions.
Thank you to all our Mass Coordinators, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Musicians, Cantors, Altar Servers, Ushers, Tech AV ministers, Easter Vigil reception ministers, RCIA/C Preparation Team, Photographers, and Art and Environment Ministers. Your role in the liturgy brought the Easter story to life in a way that was both moving and inspirational. Each reading was delivered with clarity and reverence; each celebration was facilitated with grace and respect; and the music and singing lifted our spirits, drawing us closer to the divine.
The church itself was a vision of beauty, adorned with stunning floral arrangements that spoke of the new life Easter brings. The Art and Environment Ministers outdid themselves, creating a space that reflected the glory of the Resurrection and the joy of our faith and transformed our church into a fitting backdrop for our most important celebration of the year. They worked all week decorating the Church several times for the Holy Weeks liturgies.
Special thanks to our support staff and all those who worked behind the scenes. Their ‘hidden work’ ensured that everything ran smoothly, from the seamless coordination of the various ministries to the maintenance and beautification of our sacred space. The new photo booths outside were a delightful addition, providing families with a memorable keepsake of this special day. It was wonderful to see so many parishioners, both regular and visiting, coming together to celebrate.
I would especially like to thank our ministers in our Visiting and Hospital ministries that reach out to those who cannot physically come to St. Simon. They make weekly visits to many who are homebound and sick in our local community. Your outreach is greatly appreciated as you are the face of Jesus and spreading God’s love in a very special way. Thank you also to the members of St. Vincent de Paul and to the parishioners who supported the Easter basket drive and helped with deliveries. This year the baskets were bigger than ever and due to your contributions and they were able to support many local families in need.
As we continue to bask in the light of the Risen Lord, let us also turn our thoughts to the profound message of Divine Mercy Sunday. Today, we are reminded of God’s infinite mercy and love for us, a mercy that knows no bounds and forgives all. In today’s Gospel, we encounter the story of doubting Thomas, a powerful narrative that speaks to the depths of human experience, encompassing doubt, faith, and the journey in between.
Thomas’s initial disbelief upon hearing of Jesus’ resurrection is a moment of vulnerability that many of us can relate to. It is a stark reminder that doubt is not the opposite of faith but a part of it. Like Thomas, we are called to integrate our doubts into our faith journey, allowing them to lead us into a deeper understanding and relationship with God. When Thomas encounters the risen Christ and is invited to touch His wounds, his doubt transforms into a profound declaration of faith: “My Lord and my God!”
This encounter serves as a reminder that our faith is not a static possession but a dynamic and evolving relationship with the divine, marked by moments of certainty and doubt alike. Doubt does not weaken our faith; instead, it can be the very thing that strengthens it, propelling us towards a more genuine and heartfelt affirmation of our beliefs.
As we reflect on the mercy of God and the story of doubting Thomas, let us open ourselves to the grace of God’s endless forgiveness and love. Let us be merciful as our Father is merciful, extending kindness, forgiveness, and understanding to ourselves and to those around us. Divine Mercy Sunday calls us not only to receive God’s mercy but to become vessels of mercy in our families, our community, and our world.
In this season of renewal and rebirth, let us embrace our doubts and uncertainties, allowing them to deepen our faith and draw us closer to the heart of the Divine Mercy. May we continue to invite others to join us each Sunday and may we embody this loving mercy of God to all we meet. May the peace of the Risen Christ be with you all, and may His mercy inspire us to live our faith more fully each day.
As we conclude our ADA appeal, I am deeply grateful for your generosity as we surpassed our goal by $65,000 and will be able to give that as a huge gift to Christ the King Parish, our partner parish for whom we are helping with our ADA overage to support their complex and demanding needs as a parish. Thank you for your spirit of generosity. You are all amazing!
May the joy and peace of the Easter season be with you and your loved ones. I look forward to continuing our journey of faith together, strengthened and inspired by the example of dedication you have all shown. Thank you again to all ministers for your commitment and service to St. Simon Parish. You are a true reflection of the Easter message of hope, renewal, and community! Your efforts are deeply appreciated as your contributions made a lasting impact on the hearts of all who attended our Holy Week celebrations, from Palm Sunday to the Communal Sacrament of Reconciliation to the Holy Thursday Lord’s Supper to the Altar of Repose to the Good Friday Veneration of the Cross and Communion Services to the Easter Vigil to the Reception for the newly initiated to the Easter Sunday Masses.
If you are interested in becoming involved at St. Simon now or in the future, we have many opportunities and would love you to join us! Please email Clare or Rachel at communications@stsimon.org and they can help you find a way for to share your time and talent. You can find our Ministry list on the website here and interest form here.
God Bless,
Fr. Brendan