Dear Parish Family,

Simon Peter plays prominently in our Scriptures on this Third Sunday of Easter. On the day of Pentecost, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaks to the Jews of Jerusalem concerning Christ's Resurrection as the fulfillment of God's promise to King David. In the Second Reading from the First Letter of St. Peter, he speaks of conducting ourselves reverently in light of Christ's redeeming death. In the Gospel, the disciples on the road to Emmaus meet the risen Lord Jesus made known to them through the opening of the Scriptures and the breaking of the bread. As these disciples turn back towards Jerusalem, they encounter the other Apostles and hear about Jesus being raised and appearing to Simon Peter. 

When we hear about Jesus being made known to the disciples on the journey to Emmaus, we should immediately think of what takes place at every Mass. Like these disciples, we are on a journey when we gather to meet the Lord at Mass. Our hearts "burn within us" as the Lord opens the Scriptures to us, and we encounter Jesus in the Eucharist with the "breaking of the bread." This encounter with Jesus sends us back from where we came, but in a transformed way. Having received His Word and Eucharist, we are made one with Christ and get to testify to our relationship with Him and hear from others united with Christ in the Church about their encounter with Him. 

I also find it interesting that the place where the disciples were traveling was called Emmaus, which directly translates to "hot spring." That's right. These disciples were leaving Jerusalem for a spa day! Jesus shows up on the way and redirects them back to Jerusalem with the Apostles where He needs them. Coming to Mass every Sunday helps us know where the Lord needs us. Participating regularly at Mass will inevitably interfere with some of our own plans and journeys like it did for these two disciples traveling to Emmaus, but a real encounter with Jesus in His Word and Eucharist absolutely trumps anything else we might otherwise prioritize, even a spa day! 

Jesus names Simon as the Rock ("Petrus") of the Church. Our Scriptures today focus on this great unifying role of Simon Peter for the early Church in his testimony and teaching on the Resurrection and the moral implications of living in Christ's Resurrection. The faith of Christ handed down to us through the Church will always challenge us to deeper participation and communion in Christ so that our hearts may burn within us, and so that we may recognize Jesus in the Eucharist and share the fruits of the Church's liturgy with those we encounter on our journey of life. 

We are accepting nominations for Parish and Finance Council, and applications for our School Advisory Council! These are consultative and advisory Councils. 

• The Parish Council assists the Pastor in discerning the pastoral direction of the parish in light of the vision of both the Bishop and the larger Church for parish life, providing the Pastor with insights, perspective, and guidance on matters affecting the pastoral life of the parish. 

• The Finance Council provides assistance and counsel to the Pastor in the administration of the temporal goods of the parish and capital projects. 

• The School Advisory Council helps the Pastor and Principal to formulate, develop, and promote visions and policies that facilitate the operation and consistent growth of St. Mary School. 

Nominees should be practicing Catholics actively involved in the life and ministries of the parish. Additionally, nominees for Finance Council should have professional skills in the areas of finance, legal, human resources, engineering, construction, or business management. Applicants for the School Advisory Council should either be parents of children at St. Mary School or be parishioners with a genuine interest or requisite skills in the advancement of Catholic School education. 

Council term lengths are 3 years. New members selected for Council representation will begin this Fall. Parish Council and Finance Council meet quarterly on Wednesdays at 6 pm. The School Advisory Council meets quarterly on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm. Forms to apply for a Council position are available in the back of the church. Forms are due by Sunday, May 31. Selections will occur over Summer and terms begin in the Fall. 

I am yours in Christ,

Fr. Scott Goodfellow