7/28/2019 Faith and Doubt: Thomas Revisited

1/2

The Second Sunday of Easter April 7, 2013

Faith and Doubt: Thomas RevisitedIn todays Gospel, we witness the encounter between Jesus and the apostle referred to as Doubtin

Thomas. News of the Resurrection is spreading like wildfire, but Thomas is not yet convinced. He wants t

know, to understand, to see for himself. The person he most admired and loved in the world, for whom h

had given up everything to become his disciple: he had been betrayed, mocked, condemned, tortured an

crucified. Then three days later, first some of the women disciples and then, all the rest of the inn

circle, the 12 are claiming that they have seen, met, touched Jesus.

Put yourself into Thomas shoes. What might he have been thinking and feeling? Was it jealousy

Disappointment? Hurt? A sense of being left out? Whatever it was, Thomas was not satisfied with ju

hearing about Jesus rising. All he wants is to meet the Lord. To see him. To know for sure.

I identify with Thomas. I admire his ability and willingness to name what he needed. Like Thomas, we a

people of faith who struggle with doubts. We live in changing times, in a world where everything includin

the most cherished beliefs of our faith seems to be up for grabs. Our faith is a restless, searching faitLike Thomas, we want evidence proof, even before we will commit to believe. In our questioning

searching yes, even our doubting Jesus comes to meet us. He comes to give us new vision, exposin

the shadows of our biases and fears into clearer light: "You believe, Thomas, because you have seen me

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

In this Easter season, my prayer is that each of us may encounter Jesus not merely by hearsay, but in

real, incarnate, and personal way. May our doubts lead us not to despair and disbelief, but to joyfully ech

Thomas proclamation of his faith in the risen Jesus: "My Lord and my God!"

On behalf of the pastoral team, I would like to extend our gratitude to all those who worked so hard t

make our Holy Week and Easter services so beautiful and meaningful this year. To all those who played

visible role in the services the deacons, readers, servers, musicians, and singers; to those who worke

behind the scenes the sacristans, altar guild, liturgy committee, and environment/dcor (those beautif

Easter flowers are always a highlight!); and to those whose donations helped defray the costs: thanks, an

thanks, and ever thanks! God bless you all with fifty days of Easter joy!

Never Letting Go"A Benefit concert featuring JoAnne Mitchell along with eight, great Montreal musician

Sunday April 14, 2013 at 4:00 PM in St. Monica's Parish Hall. Tickets are $10.00 each o

$20 for a group of four (4).

7/28/2019 Faith and Doubt: Thomas Revisited

2/2

Mass Intentions: April 7-14, 2013

April 6, 2013 Saturday after Easter

4:00 Italo Falcone andItalo & Anna Mariani

Luisa & Angelo Falcone

April 7, 2013 The Second Sunday of

Easter

8:30 Caterina & FrancoIacampo & Family Bruno Fiori

11:00 Giacomo Fiori His Wife Berardina &Family

April 8, 2013 Monday, The Annunciation

of Our Lord

8:00 Diana DiVincenzo Olga Santini MattaApril 9, 2013 Tuesday, Easter Weekday

8:00 Alessandro Palladini His Wife & FamilyApril 10, 2013 Wednesday, Easter

Weekday

8:00 Christina Knippling John & ClaireApril 11, 2013 Thursday, St. Stanislaus8:00 Aniello D'Addio His Wife Franca

April 12, 2013 Friday, Easter Weekday

8:00 Anna & LorenzoForlini

Luisa Forlini

April 13, 2013 Saturday, St. Martin I,

Pope

4:00 Raymond Jenkins Mary MaloneyApril 14, 2013 The Third Sunday of

Easter

8:30 Antonietta, Vincenzo,Sante & FrancescaLaPosta

Concetta LaPosta

11:00 In Loving Memory

Joesph Onesi, Luigi & Rosa Mamone, VincenzoSaluzzi, Isa Mazzella, John Testa, Giuseppe Fiori

Your GenerosityThank you for your on-going support of our parish

Last Sundays collection was $7,029.80

Holy Thursday Collection was: $2,052.00

The Good Friday Collection was: $1,970.00

VIDEO DIVINA

Fr. Raymond will present the movieThe Way on Friday, April 19 at 7p.m. in the parish rectory. Join him fothis inspirational movie, followed bystimulating discussion.

As this is the last movie of the VideoDivina 2012-2013 series onPilgrimage, you are invited to bringrefreshments of your choice to sharewith the group. Popcorn will beprovided. All are welcome!

ADULT FAITH CAFEMichael Johnston will present APilgrims Journey on Friday, April 26from 7:15 to 9:00 p.m. in the parishhall. Mr. Johnston will share with us his

call to further deepen his relationshipwith Jesus. Relive with him the trialsand challenges, as well as the joys andgrowth of his physical and spirituajourney that began in 2005, andcontinues after his Camino de Santiagode Compostela pilgrimage in thesummer of 2012. Free babysittingavailable upon request at registrationSign-up sheets are available at the mainchurch entrance. Please register byApril 24.

Please refer to www.stmonica.ca andthe posters at the Church entrances foradditional information. If you have anyquestions, or to register, please contact

Anna at the office.

.

Parish PilgrimageA pilgrimage to St. Josephs Oratory is being planned for Saturday, May 25. We will meet at the churchat 9 AM and start our walk to the oratory at 9:30 in order to arrive for mass at 12:15. Bring a lunch andwe will share a meal together. There will be transportation for those unable to walk. If you are interestedplease sign up at the back of the church. It is important to know if there is interest for us to continue

planning.