2nd Sunday of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday

Peace and Mercy

The world needs peace. We need it for ourselves. We need it for our families, communities, churches, schools, governments, groups, organizations, and nations throughout the world. It’s not a wish-list item we can do without. It’s a necessity just like the air we breathe or the food and water we eat and drink.

For what good is life if we can’t have peace, or at least peace of mind? And this is where we need clarification. Peace is not the absence of conflicts or struggles that are inevitable in the world we live in. The peace we need is the peace that the world cannot give (John 14:27). It comes from the Lord Jesus Christ who is risen and alive in our midst. He gives it to us freely according to His will, purpose, and mercy.

When we have Christ’s peace that is brought to us by the power of His Resurrection, we can carry our crosses more patiently and faithfully. No cross is too heavy or unbearable. Also, this peace is not something we keep to ourselves. The more we’re in Christ’s peace, the more we should become peacemakers wherever we go and whatever our circumstances. Just like love, peace is the fruit of the Holy Spirit that must be cultivated and practiced daily. We really can’t say we’re a Christian people until we are people of peace.

The early Christians lived through a difficult time of persecution from the Roman Empire. Many of them were ruthlessly martyred in the first 400 years of the Church. Yet despite hardships, countless followers of Jesus chose to follow the way of the Lord, which is the way of peace. They modeled themselves after Him who was obedient to the Father, even to the point of death on the cross. They looked at their sufferings as nothing compared to what awaits them in the resurrection of the dead. That gave them inner strength, hope, and peace. Like Jesus who forgave the people who betrayed, denied, abandoned, crucified, and put him to death, the early Christians were known not only for their love but for their joy and peace.

Are we a people of peace? Two thousand years have passed since Christ’s Resurrection, and, still, conflicts arise that lead to a breakdown in families, poverty and inequality due to greed, jealousy and hatred between individuals, violence in the streets, murder, bullying, and wars between nations. A quick look at the latest news around the world tells us we can’t seem to agree to disagree on many issues. Someone must be proven wrong. There must be someone else to correct, blame, or punish.

Advances in science and technology have made us better equipped to live in the modern world. We learned to split the atom and send missions to outer space. We built complicated bridges and skyscrapers. We found cures for many diseases. We tapped into many forms of artistic expressions. Yet we are far from mastering the art and science of handling challenging situations and difficult people calmly and graciously.

Far from it! In fact, it seems that we’re often quick to judge and less willing to give people the benefit of the doubt for their offenses and shortcomings. We can’t get over the slightest provocation and not demand retribution. We see improper behavior but fail to see the human person behind the actions. This is true especially when we think we’re the victim and entitled to the full force of justice. The person then is looked upon as a transgressor, not as a beloved member of God’s family.

The gospel passage today tells us the only way to respond or react to any injustice, unfairness, and betrayal in any way, shape, or form is by following the Christian way. The disciples were behind a locked door, afraid that they might be next to be arrested and killed. Yet when Jesus stood in their midst, to greet them with peace, to breathe on them the Holy Spirit, and to send them as He was sent by the Father, the disciples began to see Christ’s way in contrast to the way of the world. Christian discipleship calls for a radical way of living based on love, mercy, forgiveness, and peace.

On this Divine Mercy Sunday, may we be more intentional in cultivating inner peace in our lives. May that peace radiate from within and out into our families, communities, and the world around us. We cannot have peace without mercy, and mercy without peace. Inner peace is the foundation of a peaceful society. It starts with each person finding God's grace to become instruments of mercy and peace.

Take care and keep up the good work!

Deacon Rod

Pope Francis Biography

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church. Before his election as pope on March 13, 2013, he served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, where he was known for his humility, simple lifestyle, and dedication to the poor.

Raised in a family of Italian immigrants, he studied chemistry before entering the seminary and joining the Jesuits. Ordained a priest in 1969, he later became the Provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina and played a key role in guiding the Church during a period of economic and social crises in the country. When he was appointed bishop in 1992 and archbishop in 1998, he prioritized evangelization, social justice, and pastoral outreach. As pope, Francis emphasized mercy, care for the marginalized, and environmental stewardship. His papacy was marked by a call for a “poor Church for the poor,” interfaith dialogue, and reform within the Vatican. His teachings focused on compassion, the dignity of every person, and the need for a missionary Church.

On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love, humility, and service.

Prayers of Pope Francis

Eternal rest grant unto Francis, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon him. And may his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Recognize God in Your Oridinary Moments - By Colleen Jurkiewicz Dorman

Mini Reflection: It does sound unbelievable, the story of the Resurrection. But lots of things are unbelievable. That doesn’t mean they’re not true. Take Thomas’ example: stay close to the people you trust. Be willing to recognize Jesus when he’s in front of you.

Wonder, Don’t Wander
My daughter recently asked me if it’s okay to “wonder if all the Jesus stuff is true.”

I wasn’t surprised by her question. I’ve expected it, in fact. If you’re raising a child to be a critical thinker, you don’t want them to accept everything you tell them simply because it comes from your lips. I have promised my children that I will always give them the truth about God. But that’s all I can do — give it to them. Whether or not they accept it, ultimately, is their own choice.

“I know it’s true,” she told me. “But sometimes it just all sounds so…unbelievable.”

She’s not wrong. It does sound unbelievable that an all-powerful God could create us for no reason other than sheer love, that He could be generous enough to give us free will to accept that love, that he could be merciful enough not to destroy us when we reject that love, and finally that he could be faithful enough in that love to become flesh and die in order to save us from the consequences of our own poor choices.

But lots of things are unbelievable. That doesn’t mean they’re not true.

When Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed,” he isn’t calling Thomas a fool for questioning something that sounds a little outrageous. He’s just highlighting the fact that Thomas is afforded a luxury that none of the Christians born after him, my daughter included, will have: he gets to see proof with his own eyes.

I told my daughter it’s fine to wonder — just don’t wander. Take Thomas’ example. Stay close to the people you trust. Return to the warmth of the upper room. Be willing to recognize Jesus when he’s in front of you. Never be afraid to believe.
©LPi

Honor Our Military

Please take time to give thanks for those who have served and are serving in our military and to pray for the safety of those who may currently be in harm’s way. In a special way, we thank and pray for these parishioners and relatives of parishioners.
Dear God,
We pray in gratitude for all of those who have defended peace, virtue, and justice with honor. We pray especially for those who have suffered in mind and body from the ravages of war. May Your peace reign in our hearts and in our world. Amen.

He Who Sacrificed His Life
†JOHN A. STONIS, Grandson of John & Dorthy Stonis
†CHRISTOPHER ZIMNY

Those Still Serving
JAY MARTIN, Nephew of Becky and Tom Brennan
JESSICA CAMERON, Niece of the Cameron Family
JOHN PODCZASKI, Grandson of Genevieve Podczaski
STEVEN TUMBARELLO, Son of Sylvia & Vince Tumbarello
CRAIG BEHRENDT, Grand-nephew of Sister Mary Helen
DANIEL BELZER, Nephew of Dave & Bev Belzer
MICHAEL KELLY, Nephew of Kevin and Kathy Kelly
MATTHEW NEUBAUER, Nephew of Dan & Judy Neubauer
EUGENE WALL, Nephew of Suzanne Lessner
NAILL SWIDER, Grand-nephew of Alice Swider
BRYAN DUFF, Son of Julie Duff
RYAN BLOCHBERGER, Nephew of Mae Grady
TIMOTHY DWORKIN, Grandson of Barbara Bouska
ALEXIS GONZALES, Great-niece of Eden & Lyle Gonzales-Nemzin
JACK MAHON, JR., Son of Jack, Sr. & Eileen Mahon
MICHAEL FOLEY
JOHN FOLEY
PETER MULLER
DANIEL FRAYNA
JOSEPH GULLO
SANG HOON LEE
ANTHONY PALMERO
MORRIS COREY MCMAHON, Son of Chris & Julie McMahon
RYAN FONTILLAS
MICHAEL T. HEHN, Grandson of John & Dorthy Stonis

To add or remove someone, please send the person’s name and relationship (optional) to bulletin@stcatherinelaboure.com

Please Pray for Ukraine

For our sisters and brothers involved in or affected by the war and devastation in Ukraine-- the deceased, the injured, the frightened, the displaced, the fighters, the protesters, the leaders. May God give them solace, healing, comfort, and hearts and minds directed toward peace.
Donations can be made here:

Knights of Columbus: https://www.kofc.org/secure/en/donate/ukraine.html

Caritas: https://www.caritas.org/

Ukrainian Catholic Archdiocese of Philidelphia: https://ukrarcheparchy.us

"May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war" - Pope Francis

Neighbors of other Faiths
The Golden Rule

Excerpted from charterforcompassion.org/the-golden-rule-in-seven-major-religions
We may speak of great differences in religious beliefs and forms of worship around the world. Called by an endless number of names, all, however, recognize and worship a Supreme Being. And all religions, somewhere in their sacred literature, expound the fundamental philosophy of the Golden Rule.

Buddhism: Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.
~ Buddha, Undanavarga 5:18

Christianity: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that all men should do to you, do ye even so to them.
~ Matthew 7:12

Confucianism: What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.
~ Confucius, Analects 15:23

Hinduism: Good people proceed while considering what is best for others is best for themselves.
~ Hitopadesa

Islamism: No one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.
~ Mohammed, Traditions

Judaism: And thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
~ Leviticus 19:18

Zoroastrianism: Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others.
~ Shayast-na-Shayast 13:29