The Second Sunday of Easter

April 7, 2013

Faith and Doubt: Thomas Revisited

In todays Gospel, we witness the encounter between Jesus and the apostle referred to as Doubting Thomas. News of the Resurrection is spreading like wildfire, but Thomas is not yet convinced. He wants to know, to understand, to see for himself. The person he most admired and loved in the world, for whom he had given up everything to become his disciple: he had been betrayed, mocked, condemned, tortured and crucified. Then three days later, first some of the women disciples and then, all the rest of the inner circle, the 12 are claiming that they have seen, met, touched Jesus. Put yourself into Thomas shoes. What might he have been thinking and feeling? Was it jealousy? Disappointment? Hurt? A sense of being left out? Whatever it was, Thomas was not satisfied with just hearing about Jesus rising. All he wants is to meet the Lord. To see him. To know for sure. I identify with Thomas. I admire his ability and willingness to name what he needed. Like Thomas, we are people of faith who struggle with doubts. We live in changing times, in a world where everything including the most cherished beliefs of our faith seems to be up for grabs. Our faith is a restless, searching faith. Like Thomas, we want evidence proof, even before we will commit to believe. In our questioning, searching yes, even our doubting Jesus comes to meet us. He comes to give us new vision, exposing the shadows of our biases and fears into clearer light: "You believe, Thomas, because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." In this Easter season, my prayer is that each of us may encounter Jesus not merely by hearsay, but in a real, incarnate, and personal way. May our doubts lead us not to despair and disbelief, but to joyfully echo Thomas proclamation of his faith in the risen Jesus: "My Lord and my God!"

On behalf of the pastoral team, I would like to extend our gratitude to all those who worked so hard to make our Holy Week and Easter services so beautiful and meaningful this year. To all those who played a visible role in the services the deacons, readers, servers, musicians, and singers; to those who worked behind the scenes the sacristans, altar guild, liturgy committee, and environment/dcor (those beautiful Easter flowers are always a highlight!); and to those whose donations helped defray the costs: thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks! God bless you all with fifty days of Easter joy!

Never Letting Go"

A Benefit concert featuring JoAnne Mitchell along with eight, great Montreal musicians, Sunday April 14, 2013 at 4:00 PM in St. Monica's Parish Hall. Tickets are $10.00 each or $20 for a group of four (4).

Mass Intentions: April 7-14, 2013

4:00 April 6, 2013 Italo Falcone and Italo & Anna Mariani April 7, 2013 Caterina & Franco Iacampo & Family Giacomo Fiori April 8, 2013 8:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 Diana DiVincenzo April 9, 2013 Alessandro Palladini April 10, 2013 Christina Knippling April 11, 2013 Aniello D'Addio April 12, 2013 Anna & Lorenzo Forlini April 13, 2013 Raymond Jenkins April 14, 2013 Saturday after Easter Luisa & Angelo Falcone The Second Sunday of Easter Bruno Fiori His Wife Berardina & Family Monday, The Annunciation of Our Lord Olga Santini Matta Tuesday, Easter Weekday His Wife & Family Wednesday, Easter Weekday John & Claire Thursday, St. Stanislaus His Wife Franca Friday, Easter Weekday Luisa Forlini Saturday, St. Martin I, Pope Mary Maloney The Third Sunday of Easter Concetta LaPosta

VIDEO DIVINA
Fr. Raymond will present the movie The Way on Friday, April 19 at 7 p.m. in the parish rectory. Join him for this inspirational movie, followed by stimulating discussion. As this is the last movie of the Video Divina 2012-2013 series on Pilgrimage, you are invited to bring refreshments of your choice to share with the group. Popcorn will be provided. All are welcome!

8:30 11:00

ADULT FAITH CAFE

Michael Johnston will present A Pilgrims Journey on Friday, April 26, from 7:15 to 9:00 p.m. in the parish hall. Mr. Johnston will share with us his call to further deepen his relationship with Jesus. Relive with him the trials and challenges, as well as the joys and growth of his physical and spiritual journey that began in 2005, and continues after his Camino de Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage in the summer of 2012. Free babysitting available upon request at registration. Sign-up sheets are available at the main church entrance. Please register by April 24. Please refer to www.stmonica.ca and the posters at the Church entrances for additional information. If you have any questions, or to register, please contact Anna at the office.

4:00 8:30 11:00

Antonietta, Vincenzo, Sante & Francesca LaPosta In Loving Memory Joesph Onesi, Luigi & Rosa Mamone, Vincenzo Saluzzi, Isa Mazzella, John Testa, Giuseppe Fiori

Your Generosity Thank you for your on-going support of our parish Last Sundays collection was $7,029.80 Holy Thursday Collection was: $2,052.00 The Good Friday Collection was: $1,970.00 .

Parish Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage to St. Josephs Oratory is being planned for Saturday, May 25. We will meet at the church at 9 AM and start our walk to the oratory at 9:30 in order to arrive for mass at 12:15. Bring a lunch and we will share a meal together. There will be transportation for those unable to walk. If you are interested please sign up at the back of the church. It is important to know if there is interest for us to continue planning.