The Right to Hope  
Tonight we acquire a fundamental right that can never be taken away from us: the right to hope.  It is a new and living hope that comes from God.  It is not mere optimism; it is not a pat on the back or an empty word of encouragement, with a passing smile. No.  It is a gift from heaven, which we could not have earned on our own.  Over these weeks, we have kept repeating, “All will be well”, clinging to the beauty of our humanity and allowing words of encouragement to rise up from our hearts.  But as the days go by and fears grow, even the boldest hope can dissipate.  Jesus’ hope is different.  He plants in our hearts the conviction that God is able to make everything work unto good, because even from the grave he brings life.  – Pope Francis, excerpt from the Homily from the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday (April 11, 2020)
 
Christ is Risen!  He is Risen, Indeed!
 
Happy Easter! 
 
On this Easter Monday we continue to celebrate with joy the Resurrection of Christ from the tomb… the homily of Pope Francis from the Easter Vigil (delivered just days ago) is a timely and prayerful reflection on our current circumstances in the reality of the Truth of the Risen Lord – it is well worth the read.  We, as disciples of the Lord Jesus, because of the Resurrection of the Crucified Lord have the ‘Right to Hope’!
 
Christ is Risen!  He is Risen, Indeed!
 

 
Easter Week
 
This whole week is a prolonged celebration of Easter Sunday – the Octave of Easter – it is a week filled with the glorious splendor of the Light of Christ!  It would be very appropriate to pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary each day this week and pray with the Gospel accounts of the Resurrection (Mt. 28:1-10; Mk. 16:1-7; Lk. 24:1-12; and Jn. 20:1-9).  After so many weeks of preparation for the Easter Feasts and focus on the Passion and Death of Christ in these days we begin the Easter Season filled with joy, renewed in our hope.
 
Also, I want to encourage each of you to pray with Scriptures for Easter Sunday Mass and the Scriptures for Today’s Holy Mass.  It would be good, in these most important days of our faith for you to pray a Spiritual Communion as you spiritually unite your time of prayer to the offering of the Holy Mass.
 
And, even if you have missed a few days or are just getting started, don’t forget to pray the Divine Mercy Novena!
 
 
Christ is Risen!  He is Risen, Indeed!
 
 
Know of my prayers for you, please pray for me!
 
Father Wilke
 
Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, pray for us!