Third Sunday of Easter (click here for full text)

Just like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we have the opportunity each time we gather as a faith community to welcome those whom we do not recognize. In the Gospel of Luke this weekend, we hear the story of ‘The Road to Emmaus”. Jesus joins the disciples on the road, engaging them in conversation. They shared their faith through their own ‘resurrection stories’.

Scripture says, “and it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?"

We are excited to celebrate First Eucharist on April 29-30 and May 13-14 with 93 children. Our hope is that all those who may be visiting us for the first time on those weekends will find a place of welcome, joy and the love of Christ in action. The faith journey of our families to this sacred day has been filled with spirited catechetical sessions, at home prayer and opportunities for sharing faith as a family. We are richly blessed to have the opportunity to ‘walk with’ parents and their children in this unique atmosphere of learning and praying together. All shapes and sizes of faith are welcome. To bring the family of God together is a joy!

As Joe Paprocki, National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, says in a reflection on welcoming young families at Mass, “This Sunday, go out of your way after Mass to welcome a young family and to engage them in conversation.” In the coming weeks, why not extend this to everyone? Go out of your way to welcome someone to the house of God and share the light of Christ with all those we meet. Check out the full article, here:  http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2017/04/evangelization-starts-here-a-welcoming-community/

Poet and author Maya Angelou wrote, ‘people will easily forget what you have said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.’ When people join our parish, we ask them how they came to choose us. They often share that they choose St. Joseph’s because there is just ‘something special about this community’.

May we find that ultimately, our spiritual home is one that all are welcome and loved and at the center, we find Christ Jesus, our light and our salvation. Have I seen the face of Christ when welcoming a stranger? Remember, there are never simply “visitors” or "strangers" in our midst but rather companions on the journey.  Let’s go out of our way for someone this week!