Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

       To be honest, I had an entirely different Pastor’s Message planned. Here I sit on Monday morning after Easter with the news reflecting on the life and ministry of Pope Francis as news of his death at 7:35 am this morning. Today we unite our hearts in prayer and mourning, but also in hope! Indeed, this Octave of Easter is a great message of hope as is the Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Francis calling upon us all to be Pilgrims of Hope!

Reflecting on Divine Mercy Sunday, I cannot help but think of the many ways in which Pope Francis called upon us all to be a people of mercy. In his Papal Bull proclaiming the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy on April 11, 2015, Pope Francis reminded us, “Mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s life.”

Let us continue to reflect on this great gift of Divine Mercy and, inspired by the witness of Pope Francis and the command of our Lord, may we “be merciful, just as your heavenly Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36

Love.

Fr. Jason