This third Sunday of Easter has us now traveling on the road to Emmaus, just as the two disciples did on the day of the Resurrection. Those two disciples, one named Cleopas, a follower of Jesus, and the other is never named in the biblical texts, thus the anonymity of the text invites us to see ourselves in the story, as a follower of Jesus.Before we begin, a few key points to keep in mind as we make our journey: this event takes place on the day of the Resurrection; two disciples are walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus discussing the recent events of Jesus’ passion and death

One of the multiple good things about ritual is that it becomes a “tradition” in our lives that we not only depend upon, but count on. Throughout human history, ritual has given people hope and established a commonality of pride among peoples. The traditions, whether national, familial, or religious becomes the fabric of our lives. These rituals such as the national Pledge of Allegiance, to familial traditions including but not limited to the opening of Christmas presents (on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day), the menu at a Fourth of July cookout, or the religious traditions of Easter and Christmas instill in us confidence, hope, community, security and more

As we enter into Palm Sunday with the coming of Holy Week and the Easter Season, we should reflect on our Lenten journey that each of us has made over the last five weeks—intended to grow and strengthen our spiritual life as we seek to progress towards Christ.

Take this journey with us- When we left for Boston on Thursday evening, I was filled with anxiety and anticipation, this being my first mission trip. As we arrived at Hillside Community Church, teens got right to work setting up our sleeping quarters and unloading the bus. The way they worked together immediately reminded me of the community that Christ shared with his disciples. In the evenings, we reflected on our days, sharing where we saw God and praying together.

In this gospel, we have a family waiting in sorrow. Martha and Mary send for Jesus while their brother Lazarus is sick. Jesus delays his arrival and Lazarus dies. Often times we may pray to the Lord for help and it seems like He delays His answer, His help. This waiting, this silence can resonate in our lives of faith too

This year, Peter Pabich was selected as our community’s nominee and he was accepted by Archbishop Coyne to receive the St . Joseph Medal of Appreciation! The ceremony is this Sunday at 2:30 pm at which time Archbishop Christopher Coyne will bestow the Archdiocese’s medal of appreciation, the St. Joseph Medal, on those nominated by their pastors for outstanding service to the parish.

Often I have heard the question, “How late can one arrive to Mass and still receive the Eucharist?” Canon 843.1 notes that Sacred ministers cannot deny the sacraments to those who seek them at appropriate times, are properly disposed, and are not prohibited from receiving them. And Canon 912 notes that “Any baptized person not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to holy Communion

The Samaritan women, Jacob’s well, and Jesus as the gift. This gospel is rich in meaning and symbolism, and offers multiple lessons for our Lenten journey. Are we open to breaking down the barriers—religious and social—that separate us from others? Are we thirsting for living water—that only Christ can give—more than “vitamin” water or some other substitute tonic? And, are we willing to witness to and share our faith boldly for the building up of His Kingdom, so that others may be drawn to Him?

As we enter into the second week of Lent, and as we live in a world that is unforgiving more times than not, the late Pope Francis used to say “God’s mercy is everything. It is in the air we breathe.” He also described God’s mercy as a bridge that connects us to God, “Not one bridge among many, but the bridge between us and God.” We are called to cross that bridge every day receiving God’s mercy and then return over it to offer our mercy to others. How much better would our world—and nation—be if we were a more forgiving people?

In the Matthean account of the Transfiguration, Jesus illustrates His Divinity and the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets proclaiming a call to listen and follow; He prepares us for suffering, and He invites us to be transformed—into Christ’s own disciples.

Lent provides us all with the opportunity to travel with Jesus in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Today, Matthew (4:1-11) presents us with a profound moment in Jesus’ life: His forty days of fasting in the desert and His confrontation with temptation by Satan. Jesus encounters every temptation by Satan with the Word of God: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the month God.” His unwavering faith and obedience to God is meant to serve as a model for our lives, and Lent provides a good opportunity to begin that journey.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. For members of the Latin Catholic Church (Rome), the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59.Many know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, but we are also calledto practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the season.

Sirach (15:15-20), which is our first reading today is brief yet powerfully clear and to the point: “If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you; if you trust in God, you too shall live; he has set before you fire and water to whichever you choose, stretch forth your hand. Before you are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses will be given him.” We hear in this the great gift of free will, which stems from God’s Divine Love, for nothing forced is love; and all that God asks from us is love

Matthew’s Gospel calls us to consider our mission and identity as Christ’s disciples. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” What does He mean that we are to be the salt and light of the world? What spiritual implications are embedded in these phrases? What are their meanings?

I am very happy to introduce and welcome Maria Galeota as St. Catherine of Siena’s new director of youth ministry. Maria comes to us with lots of experience of working with youth—as a teacher in both the Catholic and public school systems, and most recently as an ESL professional in Windsor.

NEW ​TRAINING DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED our parish will host opportunities to train both “Eucharist Ministers” and lectors here at St. Catherine of Siena. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will be trained from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., and lectors will be trained from 11 a.m. until 12 noon. I am extending this opportunity to those who feel a calling to the these lay roles in the Church.

Our sacraments are not just traditions or conveniences — they are sacred moments that shape our faith from beginning to end. A Funeral Mass should honor the faith of the person who has died, not whether their family still practices, and that’s why planning ahead and making your wishes known is an act of love. In the same way, Baptism and the choice of godparents deserve real intention, because we are passing on a living faith, not just a name or a role.

Over the next few weeks I would like to ask our parishioners to consider either being a lector at the Mass or a Eucharistic Minister. Such members of the ministerial team are needed in order that the Mass be celebrate reverently and smoothly. Both a lector and Eucharistic Minister should serve terms, so that new faces and voices are always welcome. This is meant to be a sign to others of welcoming all in service to God.

Epiphany in Greek means “manifestation”. In the West, the visit of the Magi is celebrated as the event through which the Lord was “manifested” to the pagans and, therefore, to the world. In the Eastern Church, the accent for this solemnity is on the Trinitarian “manifestation” during the Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. While what is central on Christmas is the birth of the Child Jesus, on Epiphany, what is highlighted is that this poor and vulnerable Child is King and Messiah, the Lord of all the earth

On this first Sunday after the Nativity of the Lord, which is called the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the gospel tells of an angel who again appears to Joseph in a dream and warns him to take Mary and the baby Jesus to Egypt to escape from King Herod who ordered the baby Jesus killed. Joseph does as the angel warns him, and he and his wife and child flee to Egypt under the cover of darkness, remaining there until the threat of Herod is over due to his death.