An ancient story, retold famously by St. Jerome, is that in the final years of St. John the Apostle he lived in exile in a cave on Patmos Island. A small community of Christians lived on the coast and each Sunday they hiked up the mountain to pray with and  listen to the Apostle. Every week St. John told them “children, love one another.” The Christians nodded their heads and seemed to take this message to heart.

Happy Easter! For these past 7 days (today makes 8!) we have been celebrating the Octave of Easter and praying as if each day were the Day of Resurrection. This means that we come to Mass today with the same joy as the disciples who found the empty tomb and were gathered in the Upper Room as Jesus came to them to bring them peace (John 20:19).

Christus Resurrexit Sicut Dixit! Christ is risen, just as He said! Happy Easter to you all and may God bless you abundantly this holy season!

Over the past week we have celebrated, as a parish, the mysteries of our faith: the Passion, Teachings and Death of Jesus Christ. This morning we celebrate his glorious Resurrection from the dead!

A very blessed Palm Sunday to everyone. Following our six weeks of preparation in Lent we have come to the beginning of this most sacred week. Together, over the coming days, we will commemorate the central mysteries of our faith: the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Just like we found with Advent and Christmas, time flies when you’re having fun (and busy!) It’s hard to believe that Palm Sunday is next week… I hope your Lent has been full of many blessings and graces that have brought you closer to Jesus. As a parish, SJV has celebrated a Mission, weekly Stations of the Cross, daily Mass, and many good confessions. Of course we have also had opportunities for fun like our weekly Fish Fry and the various spring activities in school, youth ministry and religious education. We have celebrated together at weddings and baptisms and mourned together at funerals.

I continue to receive lots of notes and messages from parishioners who attended our parish mission, “The Missing Piece: What Are You Searching For?” that we offered on Feb. 25 - 27. To a person people have expressed gratitude to the Holy Spirit for what we received there. As well, we all owe much thanks to David Portugal, Fr. Andrew, the Faith Formation Office and various parish missionaries who helped to coordinate this. It’s no small project!! Keep your eyes out (and ears tuned) for information on how to participate in “quads” of discipleship.

I can only speak for myself, but all I can say about the Parish Mission is WOW! I felt the Holy Spirit moving in a most palpable and beautiful way. Jesus was present - as He promised - when 2-3 are gathered in His Name and I think we ended up over 500 gathered together on Night 3. He also walked among us in the Eucharist and we proclaimed and heard and shared His Word. Take a look at the pictures we included in this week’s bulletin and if you were with us, please share your experience with those who weren’t able to attend this year.