Blessed Easter!

Dear Parishioners,

Blessed Easter!  Christ is risen from the dead! Alleluia! Alleluia!

All during the season of Lent we’ve been preparing ourselves for this time.  Now it is upon us.  But what does that mean?  You might ask, what significance is that for me?  Well, simply put, it means that there is an opportunity for heaven for you and for me.  It means that we can be forgiven of our sins.  It means that Jesus broke the barrier of death so that we can live forever.  It is the fulfillment of the law and prophets. It means that death is not the end.  It means that the Eucharist is more than just receiving Jesus, it is a foretaste of heaven. 

Easter means that we have many new Catholics in our midst.  On Easter Vigil Saturday, we baptized 9 people, submersing them in the waters of forgiveness.  Sixteen were further confirmed and given their first Holy Communion.  It was a joyous time.  This year’s class of new Catholics were a real inspiration to me and our whole team.  From day one, our RCIA team knew that this would be a special year.  As we gathered for our first class, it became obvious that we could not fit in the room.  There were simply too many people.  What a delightful problem.  So, we simply moved to a larger room for the year.  What transpired was amazing, mysterious, and joy-filled.  I want to especially thank Jessica Bubien, our Pastoral Associate, as this was her first year directing our RCIA.  I want to thank the many persons on her team. Without them, we couldn’t have offered our RCIA well.  Thank you all!

So now that Easter has arrived, I pray that you and your family will have a time of peace and joy.  The days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer.  These are God’s ways of showing us how much he loves us.  But even then, they pale in comparison to Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross and Resurrection from the dead.  So, let them always remind you of this cost of true love.  

May you all have a blessed Easter!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Congratulations Pope Francis!

Dear Parishioners,

Last week, at the time of the writing of my column, we did not know who the Pope was.  But today, we know!  We know with great enthusiasm.  Pope Francis, in just a few short days, has come on the world stage and has made it known that he “would like a Church which is poor and for the poor.”  Such desire has been illustrated in his own actions amidst a whirl-wind of ceremonial grandiosity.  He has, on several occasions, refused the safety of the papal limousine in favor of a more modest means (sometimes just walking), taken detours without announcing it to his security, insisted in paying his hotel bill, and choosing to wear a simpler ensemble with the papal white cassock.  In time, I imagine that some of these things, most notably his random and unannounced behaviors may be modified for the sake of his own personal safety.  But, time will tell.  This Pope Francis is a man of simplicity.

Such signs of simplicity and humility speak very easily to the average person.  Such style is very good for an unbelieving world to see, a world which accuses the Church of opulence, narcissism, and deceit -- all the while being guilty of the vary same things in magnitudes beyond any wild imaginings alleged against the Church.  Yet, it is his simplicity and poverty (charisms of religious orders) that will be able to keep the “sharks” at bay.  In my homily of last week, I confessed that his simplicity re-inspired my own priestly ministry in these few short days.  How wonderful a gift as Lent draws to a close and Easter season approaches.

Being a Pope is an impossible job without the grace of prayer.  Pope Francis has asked us to pray for him (another astonishing moment during his first few minutes as Roman Pontiff).  He also asked for prayers for Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI.  Let us set our hearts on these two gentle shepherds who need every heavenly grace they can.

Finally, let us offer our praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who have worked through our Cardinals to bring us Pope Francis at this time in our history.  May we all find in Pope Francis a model and inspiration of Christian faith which brings us all closer to the sacred heart of Jesus!  May we be reinvigorated to proclaim the Gospel with simple evangelical zeal so that Jesus may reign in more hearts! 

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger

Pastor

Habemus Papam

Dear Parishioners,

Habemus Papam! We have a Pope and his name is Francis I. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was considered one of the front runners amidt the esteemed college of cardinals. In 2005, it was reported that he came in second in the voting when Cardinal Ratzinger was chosen. But today, he has been selected as the new Roman Pontiff of the Catholic Church. His election marks some firsts: He is the first Jesuit to be elected Pope. No other Pope has taken Francis as his new name. He is also the first Latin American Pope in history.

His smile was infectiious this evening as he stood on the loggia of St. Peter's Bascilica and his demeanor was clearly that of a humble servant of our Lord. His name honors one of the greatest saints of the Church, St. Francis of Assisi, a man who had no fear in following the Lord and did so with humily and in poverty.

Please pray for Pope Francis as he has asked us to do. Let us rejoice in this new chapter in the Catholic Church. It is a time of a new Shepherd who will guide us in the ancient faith. Viva Papa Francesco! All praise be to God in this amazing day for the Church and the world.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor