Second Sunday of Easter

Second Sunday of Easter

Divine Mercy Sunday
March 30, 2008

Our Easter celebrations give us an idealized picture of our church’s origin. To get a true picture, we need to imagine a small band of men who dreamed that they would reform their ancient Jewish religion — and just maybe grow strong enough to drive Roman soldiers out of their homeland.

Today’s Gospel paints an entirely different picture. Here, we see a dispirited group of men who realize that their dream bubble has burst. They are frightened, embarrassed, confused. They must devise a way to disband secretly so they are not executed the way their leader was. And they must return to their old lives — hope to get their old job back, endure the ridicule of fellow workers and neighbors while saving face with their children and enduring the scorn of their wives who told them so.

Suddenly, their old leader appeared in their midst. They got excited all over again. He wasn’t only still alive, or again alive; he told them not to be afraid. He even told them to go tell it on the mountain. Most amazingly, he told them that they could forgive sins!

That at least is what they thought they saw and heard. But Thomas was having none of it. He thought they were victims of mass hysteria, that they were so fearful of reality they made up a more livable virtual reality. He would never believe anything so preposterous unless he could feel it with his own fingers.

Scientific Thomas is so adamant that Jesus accepts his doubt and lets him touch the holes in his hands and the slash in his side. When Thomas proves to himself that this is the real thing, Jesus in turn accepts his act of faith.

Eucharistic Adoration

“We have him so near in the Blessed Sacrament, where he is already glorified and where we don’t have to gaze upon him as being so tired and worn out, bleeding, wearied by his journeys, persecuted by those for whom he did so much good, and not believed in by the Apostles….Behold him here without suffering, full of glory before ascending into heaven, strengthening some, encouraging others, our companion in the most Blessed Sacrament.” (St. Teresa of Avila). Adoration resumes Monday, March 31.

Come and spend time with the one who loves you……...every Monday Sacred Heart 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m. St. Thomas 2:00—10:00 p.m.

Divine Mercy Sunday

In the year 2000, Pope John Paul II designated the Sunday after Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. Rooted in Jesus’ words to St. Faustina Kowalska, a focus on the devotion of the Divine Mercy is fitting at this time, for it is in the sacrifice of Jesus that we encounter his mercy—his forgiveness of our sins—and during the Easter season we bear witness to the joyful and loving fruit of that Divine Mercy in our lives.

There will be a special service today at 3:00 pm to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. Please bring your rosary. For more information, call Deacon LeBlanc at 601-325-3991

Mon, 3/31	+	Charlene May & Jack Doherty—8:15
Tues., 4/1		Cari Estess—8:15 am
Wed., 4/2	+ +	Nettie “Ruth” Finnegan & Girlamo Ventura—8:15 am
Thurs. 4/3	+	Pauline Mallamace—9:30 am
Sat., 4/5	+	Magdalena Alonso de Sanchez —4:00 pm
Sun., 4/6		Cyril & Ethel Heim 66th Wedding Anniversary— 8:00 am
Sun., 4/6		Sacred Heart Parishioners— 10:30
Sun. , 4/6	+	Montserrat Guadalupe Martinez —1:30 p.m.
Sun., 4/6	+	Antonio Martinez Mendez—5:00 pm

Mass Intentions

April 5-6	Saturday, 4:00 pm	Sunday, 8:00 am	Sunday, 10:30 am	Sunday, 5:00 p.m.

Extraordinary Ministers of Communion	Mary Kirkpatrick Peggy McCarthy Patricia Sanchez	Beverly Brannon Patricia Brewer Kay Bucciantini Michael Bucciantini Helen Cartwright Ella Kincade Anita LaPorte	Kay Agerton Brian McCrory Lyn McCrory Charles Ponder Elizabeth Ponder Karin Velasquez Kathy Zipple	Marcia Meyers Terry Nause Rebecca Revoir

Lector Commentator	Charles Kroen Donnelle Conklin	David Burckel David Cartwright	Llana Wallace David Beckett	Jim Gladden

Hospitality/Ushers	Dennis Conklin	Michael Anderson	Bud Browning	Timothy Phalen
	David Nagy	Bill Jarrett	Mark Berry	Chris Ybos
		Casey Mercier	Tony Farlow
			Harry Hooks

Altar Servers	Ned Flanagan Conner Flanagan	Jay Hyde Sarah Beth Hyde Racquel Downing Jacob Tran	Andrew Rauch Anna Bilbo Sarah Osborne	Kirby Thomas Will Thomas Alleon Bucciantini

School Playground

Please be aware that when school is not in session, the new playground is not to be used as a public playground. The playground is on private property.

Knights of Columbus will meet on April 6 at 6:00 pm at the Parish Life Center.

Social Justice

All parishioners who are interested in the Social Justice Ministry are invited to the next meeting at the Kinnan’s home on Thurs., April 3, at 7:00 pm. Call 601-550-8219 for details and directions.

Choirs

Singing Angels will practice Thurs., April 3, at 12:00 noon.

The Adult Choir will not practice this week. Rehearsals resume April 10 at 6:30 pm.

Theology on Tap

Theology on Tap is a lecture and discussion series for young adults in their 20’s—40’s. Each evening begins with a social at 6:00 pm . On April 3, at 6:30 pm, Andrew Wiest will present “The Protestant Reformation: Henry VIII of England and Martin Luther of Germany” at the Thirsty Hippo. Visit www.geocities.com/hattiesburgtheology as locations and speakers are subject to change.

Access to Care

American Red Cross is making access to mental health and substance abuse treatment available to those affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma through a program called Access to Care. You and your family may be eligible to receive $2,000.00 for each family member for mental health or substance abuse treatment if you were directly affected by these hurricanes. The deadline to register is May 31. Treatment will need to be received by November 14. For more information, please contact Catholic Social Services at 228-702-2137.

Married Couples

Give your kids the best gift they can get—parents with a great marriage! And all you have to do is attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend! Marriage Encounter is 44 hours where married couples can get away from jobs, kids, chores, and phones—and focus only on each other. If you’d like greater depth, growth and improved communication in your relationship, you’ll like the difference a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend can make! There is an upcoming weekend at the Holiday Inn in Slidell, LA June 20-22. For more information or to register, call 1-888-469-3735 or email registration@wwme-nogl.com.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

First Communion Parent Make-Up Meeting

A make-up meeting, for all parents who did not attend the parent meeting in Feb., will take place 5:30—7:00 pm in Sacred Heart Church on Thurs., April 3. Child care will not be available for this session.

Senior Baccalaureate Mass

The Baccalaureate Mass for our graduating seniors will take place during the 10:30 am Mass on Sun., May 18. Come rejoice with our youth — and enjoy the reception that will follow!
All graduating (high school/college) seniors, as well as advanced degree candidates, are asked to contact Jean Beckett in the Parish Office (601-583-9404) so that they may be included in this special celebration.

YOUTH MINISTRY

Contact Ryan Meyers at 601-434-1049 or email ryan@shyouthministry.com

Junior CYO will meet at Sacred Heart on Wed., April 2, 6:30 –7:30 pm to play kick ball.

Liturgical Ministers for April 5-6, 2008