Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12, 2026

Second Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy)

           Today we celebrate the Second Sunday of Easter, a day that St. John Paul II dedicated as Divine Mercy Sunday. The readings today invite us into a profound encounter with the heart of God-a heart that does not beat with judgement, but with an unstoppable, healing love.

           The Gospel takes us back to that first Easter evening. We find the disciples huddled together in a locked room. They weren’t jut hiding from the authorities, they were paralyzed by their own internal darkness. They were heavy with guilt because they had abandoned Jesus in His hour of need. Imagine the tension in that room when Jesus suddenly appeared. They likely expected words of disappointment or a demand for an explanation. Instead, the first words out of His mouth are, “Peace be with you.” Jesus does not bring up their past failures. He does not ask why they ran away. Instead, He shows them His wounds. These words are the visible price He paid for our sins, but they are now glorified. By breathing the Holy Spirit upon them, Jesus establishes the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He gives the Church the authority to forgive, making sure that His mercy would be a physical, reachable reality for every generation to come.

           We also see the deeply personal nature of this mercy through the story of St. Thomas. Thomas was struggling. He couldn’t bring himself to believe just because the others told him to; he needed his own encounter. When Jesus returns a week later, He doesn’t scold Thomas for his skepticism. He moves directly toward him with compassion. He invites Thomas to touch the very places that hurt the most. This teaches us that Divine Mercy is incredibly patient. It meets us exactly where we are-whether we are in a season of deep confusion, grief, or a simple lack of faith. Thomas’s humble cry, “My Lord and my God!” becomes the ultimate profession of faith. It reminds us that God’s mercy is a bridge that heals our broken trust and restores our relationship with Him, no matter how long we have been away.

In the first reading from Acts of the Apostles, we see the practical results of this mercy. The early Christian community didn’t just pray in private; their faith changed how they lived in public. Because they felt completely forgiven by God, they were supernaturally moved to be merciful to one another. They shared their belongings and looked out for the poor so that no one was in need.

           In the second reading St. Peter tells us that through God’s “great mercy”, we have been given a new birth and a living hope through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This “living hope” is not a temporary optimism, it is an anchor for the soul. Peter acknowledges that we may face various trials and sufferings that test our faith like fire tests gold. However, mercy is the reason we can remain joyful even in these difficult times. It assures us that our sins and our sufferings are not the end of our story. Because of the Resurrection, we know that God is always ready to give us a fresh start and an eternal inheritance is waiting for us.

           As we reflect on these readings, we are called to realize that Divine Mercy is the limit God sets on evil. It is His way of saying that no matter how far we have wandered, His arms remain open. Today, Jesus comes to the “locked doors” of our own hearts-the doors we have closed because of shame, pride, or fear of the future. He stands in the center of our lives and offers us the same peace He gave the Apostles. Let us respond by opening those doors and letting His light in. When we trust in His mercy, we are empowered to become instruments of that same mercy in a world that is often cold and unforgiving. Let our lives reflect the joy of the Resurrection, always remembering to pray with confidence:

 Jesus, I trust in You.

Welcome Pastor Chinna

From the Pastor's desk, July 6th, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

We thank God for the remarkable journey of Rev. Father Samuel Martin, born and raised in our parish, now appointed as Vicar General and the Vicar for Clergy for the Diocese of La Crosse. This appointment is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and faithfulness to God’s call. We thank God for his 26 years of priestly service, marked by a deep commitment to prayer and a passion for bringing many to Christ. His priesthood is a shining example of God’s goodness and faithfulness, and we are grateful for the impact he has had on our     community. His life and ministry embody this truth. His appointments as Vicar General and Vicar for Clergy are significant responsibilities, and we pray that God will continue to guide and strengthen him as he serves the priests and people of our diocese.

    We also want to express our deepest gratitude to Fr. Samuel Martin’s mother, our beloved sacristan, who has faithfully serving our church for many years. Her dedication to keeping our church in order and her role in nurturing Fr. Samuel Martin’s vocation is a testament to her love for God and her family. We thank her for her selflessness and her commitment to serving God’s people. To his siblings, we thank them for their faith and   conviction, and we pray that God will continue to bless and guide them.

    As Fr. Samuel Martin begins his new roles, we pray that God will grant him wisdom, guidance, and strength. We pray that he will be a source of encouragement and support to the priests of our diocese, and that he will help to build unity and harmony among the clergy. “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you what you need so that you may be of one mind.”-Romans 15:5. May his ministry be marked by joy, peace, and a   deepening commitment to God’s will.

    As we celebrate Fr. Samuel Martin’s vocation and appointments, we are reminded of the importance of praying for our children and vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We pray that God will give them the desire to do His will and the strength to follow Him wholeheartedly. “For I know the plans I have for you,”  declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”- Jeremiah 29:11. May God bless our children, our priests, and our parish community, and may we continue to be a source of hope and light to those around us.