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154 N. MAIN STREET • HARRISONBURG, VA 22802
PHONE: 540-434-4341 • WEBSITE: www.bsccva.com
EMAIL: mmoyers@bsccva.com
OFFICE HOURS: Monday–Friday 9:00 am–4:00 pm
(Office closed Monday 12:30–1:30 for lunch)
Twinning with St. Isidore on La Gonave, Haiti
April 12, 2015 • Second Sunday of Easter; Divine
Mercy Sunday
12 Abril de 2015 • Segundo Domingo de Pascua;
Domingo de la Divina Misericordia
STAFF
Pastor.................................................... Rev. Silvio Kaberia
Parochial Vicar ...............................Rev. Joseph Goldsmith
Deacon .............................................. Rev. Mr. Paul Kudrav
Deacon Emeritus………………….Rev. Mr. Fred La Spina
Coord. of Religious Education............ Mrs. Valerie Blanton
Interim Minister of Youth…………….Mr. Christian Wooten
Minister of Liturgy & Music ...................... Ms. Jean DePiro
Secretary ..............................................Mrs. Martha Moyers
Business Manager ..................................... Mr. Bill Brennan
Facilities Manager.................................... Mr. Ron Bodkins
COUNCILS
Parish Council Chair Dr. Vicki Fawcett-Adams, 896-3417
Parish Council Vice-Chair …Mr. Carlos Briones, 440-5061
Parish Council Secretary…. Mr. Bob Tennyson, 828-6564
Finance Council Chair ……Mrs. Bev McGowan, 433-1868
Finance Council Vice Chair ...Mrs. Carol Miller, 867-5263
Finance Council Secretary….Mrs. Marcia Pearce 234-8208
LITURGY SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday ................................... 12:10 pm
Wednesday .................... 6:00 pm; Holy Hour 6:30–7:30 pm
Thursday ................................................. 7:00 pm (Español)
Saturday .................................................................. 5:00 pm
Sunday ....................... 8:00 & 10:00 am; 1:00 pm (Español)
Holy Days ...................... Check the bulletin mass schedule.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday: 3:30–4:30 pm or by appointment.
Communal Services in Advent and Lent.
MINISTERIO HISPANO: 540-434-0849
Coord. para el Ministerio Hispano:
Sra. Graciela Pinedo
Parish Mission Statement
Blessed Sacrament Parish aspires to be a model Christian
community, disciples of Christ, in communication with the
Universal Church, in service to each other and our greater
community. We speak with diverse and inclusive voices,
united by our Catholic faith and Eucharistic celebration.
HORAS DE OFICINA
Martes a viernes 9:00 am a 4:00 pm
BULLETIN DEADLINE
Monday at 10:00 am unless otherwise noted. Contents must be
emailed to be included in that week's bulletin. All submissions are
subject to the Pastor's approval and space availability and may be
edited for length.
BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH
HARRISONBURG, VA
Your prayers are requested for the Sick of the Parish: Susan Berry, Elena Cantor, Francis Cavoto, Vivian Cervantes, Beth Dalton,
Cristobal Duque, David Durham, Thomas Downing, Madge
Eckenrode, Annie Farwell, Mae Fukumoto, Ginny Fox, Juan
Gutierrez, Kamilia Hanna, Betty Hilson, Julie Iaconcig, Tony Jenkins, Carol Kagey, Jae Kim, Terry Le Pera, Raymond Lewis, Jo
Miller, Armand & Jane Musto, Mildred Norkus, Wanda & Gene
Olimski, Lynn Picht, Francis Reilly, Regina Reilly, Nicolas Reyes,
Kay Ring, Roger Roberge, Pat Saltzer, Margaret Sander, the
Schwartz Family, Hank Schiefer, Paul Sullivan, JoAnn Vaccaro,
Lori Wack, Claire Wirkus, William Wright, all our homebound parishioners and all who care for them.
For Family & Friends of Parishioners: Emmanuel Aguayo, Nicholas
Ashby, Mark & Ginger Bagenous, Bruce Barlow, Jody Bates,
Woody Bedell, Janine Benson, Anna & Allen Black, Richard Braga,
Michael Brody, Kylee Bryant, Sarah Simon Calhoun, Donna Lee
Carroll, Martha Childress, Steven Chisick, Sylvia Ciolino, Catherine
Clemmens, Jason Coffman, Elizabeth Cooke, Johana Milena Coppiano, Sharon Clement, Gerald DeLoria, Ben Derringer, Viola
Dickerson, Frederick & Joseph DiFrancesco, Alex Dino-Murdo,
Dominic Dorazio, Bill Downs, Karla Driver, Willie Gardner, Miguel
Garibay-Alvarez, Lillie Gibson, Lane Goodwin, Maria Glabus, Ryan
Greenwood, Hunter Gregory, Shirley Heatwole, Arthur Hemann,
Eileen Herald, Audrey Hereford, Christopher Hernandez Medina,
Lisa Hilton, Christopher Hollar, David Kane, Tucker Karl, Becky
Keoki, Marge Klawitter, Mike Lam, Betty Lampeter, Linda Layman,
Betty Leake, Claire Lovejoy, Brian Markley, Maria Markley, JR
Martinez, Daniel McCarty, Mary McFadden, Jim Melton, Garth
Mills, Leon Mondelli, Cathy Mullins, Stacey Nadeau, Madison
Nisly, Glenys Pascarelli, Mary Louise Pickeral, Anne Pirato, Justin
& Laura Ray, Emily Ray, Jeremy Ream, Thomas Reilly, Richard
Rexrode, Abby Rieber, Lillie Ryman, Bill Sampson, Irene Sarnelle,
David Schiefer, Twila Showalter, Joyce Springmier, Flora Strode,
Jean Sweigart, Tommy Swenson, Shelly Thomas, Joe Vaccaro,
John Verga, Devon Waldron, Hilda Ward, Sandra Wilson, Ashley
Wood, and Judy Wray.
Remember those in our parish family in the military, especially
Jeremy Adams, Brian Davis, John Ferguson, Dane Geise, Joe
Gibson, Scott Hankes, Donovan O’Donnell, Scott O’Donnell,
Derek Stroop, Jesse Thomas, and Ryan Wilkes, especially those
serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other assignments overseas or in
harm’s way.
Please pray for peace throughout the world, and for those suffering from natural disasters, terrorism, war and civil unrest, especially in Lebanon, Ukraine, Libya, Iraq, Syria, Nigeria, Israel, Gaza,
and Kenya. Please pray for those persecuted for their faith, especially in Iraq, Syria, and Kenya.
Pray for our twin parish of St. Isidore, La Gonave, Haiti, that they
be sustained in the many challenges they face.
Please pray that the right to life would be respected and protected
in our country and the world, from conception to natural death.
Please pray for those who have died, especially Barbara Cox and
Zdenek Skvor, father of Danielle Beck, that they may rest in the
peace of Christ.
Please call or email (mmoyer@bsccva.com) the office if there has
been a change in the status of someone you placed on the prayer
list. Thank you!
Congratulations to Amy Liberace and Robert Holloway,
who were baptized, confirmed and received their First Holy
Communion at the Easter Vigil on April 4. Congratulations
also to Jeremy Dull, Deb Haddad, Peter Haddad, Tom
McManus, and Michael Sutton, who made a Profession of
Faith and were received into full Communion with the Catholic Church, confirmed and received First Holy Communion
on Easter Sunday, April 5. Welcome to our parish family
and to the Catholic Church throughout the world!
Easter Saturday, Apr. 11, 5 pm, +Samuel Wright
(requested by Mary Lynne Smith)
Second Sunday of Easter-Divine Mercy Sunday; April 12;
8 am, +Thomas & Joanna Bishop (requested by Carl &
Marie Bishop); 10 am, Misa Pro populo (Parish); 1 pm,
+Lidia Maldonado, aniv. de muerte
Mon., April 13, NO MASS
Tues. April 14, NO noon Mass, Funeral at 11 am.
Wed. Apr. 15, 6 pm, Vocations
Thurs. Apr. 16, 12:10 pm, +Valerie Fawcett (requested by
Pete & Vicki Adams)
Fri. Apr. 17, 12:10 pm, +June Gracious (requested by Barbara Bowman)
Sat. Apr. 18, 5 pm, Misa pro populo (Parish)
Sun. Apr. 19, Third Sunday of Easter; 8 am, 10 am, Intentions of Mary Anne Blodgett; 1 pm, +Henry McCarthy
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2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER-DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
APRIL 12, 2015
SECOND COLLECTIONS:
April 12, Contingency Collection
May 3, Twin Parish in Haiti
May 10, Contingency
May 17, Diocesan Home Missions Collection
Congratulations to the following children/teens who will be
receiving all of the Sacraments of Initiation this Sunday,
April 12th at the 1:00 mass!
Iran Amaya Bautista
Gael Enrique Bautista
Iris Haide Canuto Celestino
Jasmin Canuto Celestino
Axel “Justin” Chavez Mendez
Heron Clemente
Minerva Clemente
Yesenia Clemente
Jesus Damian Cruz Quiles
Jose Antonio Gomez Lopez
Jose Luis Gomez Lopez
Giovanni Nuñez Lopez
Andrea Oropeza
Karen Oropeza
Ivan Ramirez
Francisco Velasco Mateo
Maura Velasco Mateo
Nancy Velasco Mateo
Online giving is an easy way to make sure your donation gets to us. Go to our website, bsccva.com, and click
the Online Giving through WeShare icon on the first page.
It takes a few minutes to sign up. You can automate your
giving, whether you’re here, on vacation, or stuck at home
due to a snowstorm or illness! Save checks, time and
trouble! Thanks to those who have signed up already!
FINANCIAL BOX SCORE
OFFERTORY
FY 2014-15
Needed
Actual
Difference
YTD 2014/2015 totals
$525,385
$508,108
($17,277)
March 8, 2015
$15,011
$20,128
$5,117
March 15, 2015
$15,011
$18,243
$3,232
Online giving (March to date)
$2,178
$2,178
March 22, 2015
$15,011
$13,207
($1,804)
March 29,2015
$15,011
$17,888
$2,877
Online giving (March 30, 2015)
$808
$808
YTD
$585,429 $580,561
($4,868)
Also congratulations to Mauricio and Fabian Rangel who
received their Sacraments of Initiation last weekend in New
Jersey! Welcome to our Church family!!
*Total Offertory Budget of $750,550 is based
on 50 weeks (due to possible snow weekends).
RE Calendar
4/12—RE Classes
4/19—RE Classes
4/25—1st Communion retreat 1-4pm
4/26—RE Classes
5/3—Last day of RE classes
5/5—1st Communion rehearsal 6:30 pm in church
5/16—1st Communion mass 10:00 am
Happy Easter from the Council of Catholic Women! Our
April meeting will be at 1 pm on April 13th in the church
basement. All women of the parish are invited to attend.
We will be discussing our upcoming bake sale.
The Moms' Ministry open nursery play time will be taking a
break starting on April 16th. The meetings will recommence this summer. Please watch the bulletin for details.
This summer Blessed Sacrament will once again be hosting
Vacation Bible School (VBS). Join us the week of June 2226th from 9am-12noon as all involved will get to see and
experience God’s Love in Action!!
VBS is offered for 3
year-olds through Rising 5th graders. We also need many
bodies (teenagers too) to help out that week and also for
preparation ahead of time. If you are interested in serving
on a committee, (decorating, crafts, snacks, storytelling,
games, volunteer coordinator, or recruiter), please contact
Valerie at the office or vblanton@bsccva.com. It is a fabulous way to spend your week!! Registrations will be available the beginning of May.
Our Living the Eucharist program provided us with resources and opportunities to learn about the meaning of
the Eucharist, to celebrate this sacrament more fully, and
to live out discipleship in Christ every day of the week.
Let’s continue to explore the Eucharist in our parish retreat, Sat., May 2. All adults are invited and childcare will
be provided. We will be having registration starting this
weekend.
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BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH
HARRISONBURG, VA
EASTER FLOWERS
From
In Memory/Honor of:
Elizabeth Adornato
Greg & Florence Asuagbor
Tanya Benincasa
Ernest & Stacey Burzumato
José & Maria Chicas
Theresa Clarke
Bobby & Vicki Cook
Brooks & Pat Corley
Beth Dalton
Geri DeLazzari
Lloyd & Laura Delvaux
Matt & Charlene Di Stefano
Ernest & Maureen Fishback
Michael & Diane Flood
Jim & Mae Fukumoto
James & Addie Gerstenmaier
Mary Ann Glova
Rita Gray
Michael Guszak
Phil & Josie Henning
John & Katrina Herron
John & Carol Hixson
Viola Carol Hoffman
Sam Adornato
Pa Nojang & Pa Asuagbor; Takormbi Asuagbor, Alesazem Asuagbor, Diana Nolsime
Deceased Family Members
Loved Ones
Henry McCarty
Rita James & Irvine Clarke IV
Anthony, Donna, and Kenneth Guzzi
Mr. & Mrs. AJ Kowalski; Mr. & Mrs. WB Corley, Sr.
Leo Robert Dalton
Victory DeLazzari, Dolores Hayes, Anna & Guido Julian
Deceased Family Members
Usanio Iezzi
Joseph & Nadina Duffy; Arlyn & Irene Fishback
The Lewandowski, Flood, & Jones Families
Donna Fukumoto
Edward W. Stokes, Sr., James & Helen Gerstenmaier, Raymond J. & Laverne Stokes
John Glova, John & Millie Stanell, Vincent & Maria Stasulli
Walter Gray, Shawn Gray, deceased members of the Mettimano Family
Family Members
Family Members
Family Members
Family Members
Herbert A. Hoffman, Sr., Herbert A. Hoffman, Jr., Frances Kondrat, Margaret & Joseph
Balunias, Helen & Peter Weber
Parents; the 12 members of the Joseph Family of Waterville, Maine
Mary P. & Joseph J. O’Neill, Mary R. Laver, Joseph P. Laver, Sister M. Benedictus
Don & Rita Mae Little
Deceased members of the Markiewicz Family
Deceased Family Members
Family Meza Fidalgo
Family Members
Family Members
Hugh & Hazel O’Donnell, Bob & Suzy Matthews
Charlie & Claire Pedagno
Her father, Jesus Ma. Garcia
Family Members
Family Members
Trinidad & Maria Ortega
Cabit, Elberts, Schultz & Halpin Families
Deceased Family Members
Peggy & Ernie Wells; Frantisek Steller, Laura McLaughlin
Deceased Family Members
Ramona S., Michael S. & Gabriel S. Taparra, Fidel G. Taparra, Sr., Irene T. LaPierre
Parents
Ernest, Irene, Eleanor Wright
Family Members
Bill Zeh, Jr., Ernest & Agnes Zeh, Leo & Margaret Falconieri
Jo Lafley
James & Peggy Laver
Warren & Linda Little
Diane Markiewicz
Tom & Barbara Melby
Gabriel & Marta Meza
Bobby & Carol Kagey
Chris & Laura Moyer
Danny & Gail O’Donnell
Mary Claire Pedagno
Graciela Pinedo
Anthony & Eloise Pinneri
Charles & Anne Marie Pringle
Chris & Marisela Rhodes
Bud & Carol Schultz
Kathleen Stanley
The Steller Family
Paul & Leah Sullivan
Fidel G. Taparra, Jr.
Joseph & Joan Williams
William Wright
James & Marie Zaylor
Bill & Peggy Zeh
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2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER-DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
APRIL 12, 2015
THIS WEEK AT BLESSED SACRAMENT
EASTER SATURDAY, APRIL 11
3:30-4:30 pm, Confessions
4:30 pm, Rosary
5:00 pm, Vigil Mass for Sunday
5:30 pm, Clase por bautismo, español
6:15-8:30 pm, High School Rel Ed Class
FOOD PANTRY
Our parish Food Pantry wishes to thank all those who
came to see the new facility during the dedication ceremony on Palm Sunday. It is only through the support of our
Pastor, his staff and the councils who advise, that we are
blessed to share the beautiful new facility at 2 East Wolfe
with the Religious Education ministry. We are also blessed
by the generosity of our fellow parishioners that enables
this ministry to help so many.
SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER, DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY, Contingency Collection
8:00 & 10:00 am, English Masses
10:00 am, Nursery & Children’s Church
10:00 am & 1:00 pm, CICCA class receiving sacraments
11:30 am-12:40 pm, Elem & MS Rel Ed. Classes
12:30 pm, Rosario
1:00 pm, Misa en español
4:30-6:00 pm, Legion de Maria
6:00 pm, Grupo Kerygma
After a great Lenten season filled with many social justice
events and Living the Eucharist program, we are shifting to
our Easter season schedule. Since Easter is a celebration,
we will be mixing in more social events and taking our
YAM nights back to every other Wednesday. Our next
YAM night will be Wednesday, 4/15, at 8 pm in the church
basement. We are also putting together a team to volunteer at the Move For Life Event sponsored by AVA (former
pregnancy care center) on April 18th. Email Daniel Mintz,
mintz.daniel@gmail.com, if you can help out.
MONDAY, APRIL 13
No Daily Mass
1:00 pm, Council of Catholic Women, Rm 2
5:30-9:30 pm, Choir Practices
6:00-8:00 pm, Boy Scout Meeting, Johnston Hall
7:00 pm, Evangelism Team Mtg., Rm 2
7:30 pm, Spiritual Book Club
TUESDAY, APRIL 14
11:00 am, Funeral Mass, Barbara Cox
6:30 pm, Parish Council, Rm 2
6:30 pm, Legion de Maria, Rm 4/5, Hall
6:45 pm, RCIA (Mystagogia)
7:00 pm, RICA (Sp.) Mystagogia
7:30 pm, Knights of Columbus, Johnston Hall
A Prolife Committee is forming at Blessed Sacrament. Anyone interested in joining or for more information, please
contact Maura Smith at msmith@rockingham.k12.va.us
or (540) 820-0730.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15
4:30 pm, Soup Kitchen
6:00 pm, Daily Mass & Holy Hour
8:00 pm, Young Adult Ministry
The JMU Knights of Columbus Council #9286 are hosting
a Roof Sit Fundraiser. They will be sitting on the roof of
their council house on Liberty Street from Friday, April
17th, to Sunday, April 19th. All proceeds go to support KOVAR. Donations are accepted in the form of cash, check
or PayPal. Visit http://jmukofc.weebly.com/ for more information.
THURSDAY, APRIL 16
11:00 am, Friendship House
12:10 pm, Daily Mass
1:30-4:00 pm, Food Pantry Volunteers Mtg, Rm 2
6:30 pm, English Baptism Class
7:00 pm, Misa en español
7:00 pm, K of C 1st Degree, Hall
7:00 pm, Scripture Study Group
The Asian and Pacific Island Catholics for Mary is holding
its 13th Annual Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National
Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Saturday, May 2,
2015. The Office of Asian Ministry of the Diocese of
Richmond invites you to participate in this pilgrimage. If
you’d like to travel by bus the cost is $25/person. We will
depart from the Pastoral Center at 9:00am. For more information or to purchase a seat please contact one of the following: Armand Liangco, (804) 304-9621; Geraldine
Seibert, (804) 868-9382; Delfin Raymundo, (804) 986-0188;
Rey Bonjoc, (804) 730-9706. (We will be a part of the procession so please bring your flag, banner or statue). For
additional programs and events please visit the Office of
Asian Ministry website, www.richmonddiocese.org/oam or
contact Pam Harris, Director, Office of Asian Ministry,
asianministry@richmonddiocese.org or (804) 622-5104.
FRIDAY, APRIL 17
12:10 pm, Daily Mass
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
3:30-4:30 pm, Confessions
4:30 pm, Rosary
5:00 pm, Vigil Mass for Sunday
6:15-8:30 pm, High School Rel Ed Classes
SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER
8:00 & 10:00 am, English Masses
10:00 am, Children’s Church & Nursery
11:30 am-12:40 pm, Elem & MS Rel Ed
12:30 pm, Rosario
1:00 pm, Misa en español
4:30-6:00 pm, Legion de Maria, Rm 4/5, Hall
6:00 pm, Grupo Kerygma, Sanctuary
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BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH
HARRISONBURG, VA
COMUNIDAD HISPANA
Calendario de Ed. Rel.
12 de Abril, RE Clases
19 de Abril, RE Clases
25 de Abril, Retiro de Primero Comunion
26 de Abril, RE Clases
3 de Mayo, Clase Final de RE
16 de Mayo, 10 am, Primero Comunion
VBS (Clases de Biblia en Vacaciones) Ya viene!!
Marque en su calendario! Las clases de Biblia en Vacaciones que se ofrecen aquí en Blessed Sacrament para
este verano. VBS tendrá lugar del 22 al 26 de junio y
será nombrado
G-ForceWGod’s Love in Action! (El Amor de Dios en Acción) Nosotros necesitamos de muchos voluntarios (adultos
y Jóvenes) y muchos niños para participar. No pierda la
oportunidad de asistir esta grandiosa semana de diversión
LEGION DE MARIA
La Parroquia de Blessed Sacrament
¡Lo invitamos a participar!
Legión de Maria se reúne todos los domingos a las 4:30 pm y
martes a las 6:30pm.
En el salón 5 del edificio del J. Hall de la Parroquia
Realizamos trabajos como:
Evangelización puerta a puerta,
Visita de la Virgen Peregrina a los hogares
Contacto callejero para establecer relación con personas alejadas
de la Iglesia
Visitas a personas enfermas
Entronización del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús
El Bautismo: Fechas de inscripción de pláticas: 5 Abril, 26
Abril, 23 Agosto, 13 Septiembre, después de las Misa 1
pm.
Fechas para las charlas: 7 y 14 Marzo; 11 y 25 Abril; 2 y 9
Mayo; 29 Agosto y 5 Sept., 19 y 26 Sept. Las charlas de
san los sábados a las 5:30 pm de la tarde.
¡Lo esperamos! Para más información ver a Luz Girón, Alicia
Bravo o Viliulfo Bautista,
Durante la Misa de la 1p.m. o durante las horas de Legión de Maria.
Fechas para los Bautismos (los sábados 10:00 am)
25 Abril, 23 Mayo, 27 Junio, 25 Julio
CELBRACION PARA MATRIMONIOS
La Diócesis de Richmond pide que la paraja que desea
contraer matrimonio Religioso, tenga los Sacramentos
de Bautizo, Primera Comunión, Confirmación, y haga
cita 6 meses antes de al celebración de la Boda, traer a
la primera cita con el sacerdote, ;a Fe o Certificado de
Bautizo renovada y que diga que es válida para matrimonio, copias de cert. de Confirmación de los dos, asistir a
un Encuentro Pre-matrimonial, si alguno de los dos no
tiene algún sacramento aquí hay preparación para hacer
el Sacramento que la hace falta, para mayor información
llame a la oficina.
Declaración de la Misión Parroquial
La Iglesia de Blessed Sacrament aspira a ser Discípulos de
Cristo, y un modelo Cristiano para la Comunidad, y estar en
Comunión con la Iglesia Universal, en server uno al otro y que
así nuestra comunidad crezca. Nosotros inclusive hablamos en
diversas lenguas vocas, unidos en nuestra Fe Católica y en la
celebracion de la Eucaristía
The spotlight this week shines on
Harrisonburg Family Practice
Please patronize this advertiser.
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2ND SUNDAY OF EASTER-DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
APRIL 12, 2015
CHILDREN’S CORNER
2º Domingo de Pascua
VALLEY
CURSILLO
NEWS:
WOMEN’S CURSILLO RETREAT WEEKEND APRIL 23-26:
Catholic Women - Spend an inspiring long weekend with
God and other women who want to deepen their relationship with God and enrich the way you live out your faith
each and every day. The engaging weekend, to be held at
Camp Overlook near Harrisonburg, will be led by a team of
lay Catholic women who are active with Valley Cursillo,
along with Fr. Dan Bain and Ms. Patty Huffman participating
as spiritual directors. Mass/prayer each day, engaging talks
on specific issues of Catholic Christian living. Cost: $60
(donations accepted at the end of the weekend to allow others to go on a Cursillo Weekend). For info and downloadable
applications,
visit
the
Valley Cursillo website: www.valleycursillo.com or, if you do not
have computer access, call Rob and Ann Michel at 434-978
-3954.
Cuando sufrimos la pérdida de un ser querido puede que nos
quedemos profundamente tristes y sin esperanza. No queremos
continuar en el camino. Todo se entorpece y tal pareciera que el
mundo se detuviese: ya no tenemos nada que hacer.
Imaginémonos por un momento que así se sentían los discípulos
de Jesús con su muerte. Ésta produjo en ellos sentimientos de
decepción y desánimo. Desconcertados y llenos de miedo se
encerraron por el impacto de la muerte escandalosa en la cruz:
su escasa confianza en el Señor se tambaleaba. Ellos pasaron
días difíciles llenos de luto. Sin embargo, sin saber cómo y sin
explicaciones previas, el Señor se aparece por sorpresa:
"estando cerradas las puertas de la casa donde se hallaban los
discípulos, por miedo a los judíos, se presentó Jesús en medio
de ellos".
Llenos de asombro vieron que su cuerpo era distinto al cuerpo
anterior. Es decir, era nuevo, limpio, y lleno de esplendor. Pero lo
más importante es que Jesús estaba nuevamente presente en
medio de ellos. De tal manera, el Señor está de regreso y nos
presenta los regalos de paz y alegría que el Padre, quien es infinitamente misericordioso, nos ofrece a través del Señor Resucitado.
En resumen, el Evangelio de hoy nos invita a tener un encuentro
con Jesús Resucitado. Él espera un cambio radical en nuestras
vidas. Y cabe que nos preguntemos lo siguiente: ¿somos concientes de que con la ayuda de Dios podemos vencer nuestros
miedos, soportar las dudas, y esperar confiados a que el Señor
se aparezca entre nosotros? ¿Estamos dispuestos a recibir la
paz y la alegría que da el sosiego de la esperanza que nos ofrece Jesús? Los discípulos -y Tomás con ellos- salieron de su
aislamiento y disfrutaron de la alegría pascual una vez que se
econtraron con el Señor. ¡Atrevámonos a hacer lo mismo!
©2009 Liturgical Publications Inc
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