From the Desk of Fr. Schaller - April 26, 2020

Throughout the Easter Season the Church continues to celebrate with joy the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Everything that was foretold in the Old Testament (which the Church presented in the Liturgy during Lent, and especially during the Sacred Triduum) is now fulfilled in Jesus. Today’s Gospel reminds us of this truth as it recalls the conversation that the Lord had with several disciples on the road to Emmaus. While walking with them, the Lord explained all that Moses and the prophets had said which referred to Him. (That is why it is important for us to know and understand the Scriptures – Old and New Testament. St. Jerome, the great scripture scholar who lived in the late 4th century, said that ignorance of Scripture was ignorance of Christ. Knowing the Scriptures better helps us know Christ better!) Though His identity was at first hidden from them, they recognized Him “in the breaking of bread”. They then remarked to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” This is exactly what the Church invites us to experience every Sunday at Mass. We listen to His Holy Word in the Sacred Scriptures, and we receive Him in the Holy Eucharist (the bread and wine now become His Body and Blood). Do your hearts burn within you when you come to Mass? Resolve in your heart now to reflect more deeply about Who it is that speaks to us in the Scriptures and Who it is that reveals Himself in the “breaking of bread”.

It has been a challenge for many people to adjust to the situation brought upon us by the coronavirus and the actions taken by the civil authorities. I have tried to respond in a way that will provide continued access to the Sacraments and the Mass, while also observing necessary safeguards to insure everyone’s safety. I have serious reservations about the civil restrictions to the free exercise of the Faith, which both our Constitution and the Natural Law affirm and protect. I will continue to look for ways to safely expand your access to the Mass and the Sacraments. If changes are made to our parish schedule & procedures I will post them on our parish website and Facebook page.

​We publish in this weekly bulletin a report of our weekly offertory (and budget), as well as the Diocesan Annual Appeal. But I don’t usually say much (either at Mass or in the bulletin) about “giving more money”. But I would like to say how much I appreciate your generosity during this difficult time. Where many churches are experiencing a dramatic decline in financial support, we have not. Thank you!!

May God bless you!
Fr. Schaller 

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