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CAMPUS MINISTRY OFFICE: The Campus Ministry Office is located in Our Lady Chapel.

phone: [440] 473-3560 or 440-473-8000 x2600. e-mail: blazekj@gilmour.org

CLOSING PRAYER:

~ An Easter Prayer ~

With our eyes we see the beauty of Easter

as the earth awakens once more….

With our ears can we hear the birds sing sweetly

to tell us Spring again is here…

With our hands we pick the golden daffodils

and the fragrant hyacinths…

But only with our hearts can we feel the miracle of God’s love

which redeems all…

And only with our soul can we make our pilgrimage to God

and inherit His Easter gift of eternal life.

—Helen Steiner Rice

Vol. XXIII, No. 19 April 14-15, 2018

Our Lady Chapel

Our Lady Chapel is a Roman Catholic community founded in the love of the Father, centered in Christ, and rooted in the Holy Cross tenets of building family and embracing diversity. We are united in our journey of faith through prayer and sacrament, and we seek growth through the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in liturgy and outreach, while responding to the needs of humanity.

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ANOINTING OF THE SICK: At all our Masses on the weekend, April 28-29, we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Illness and suffering have always been part of human life. In illness, we experience our powerlessness, our limitations, and our mortality. Every illness can make us glimpse death. Illness can lead to anguish, self-absorption — sometimes even despair and anger against God. It can also make us more mature — helping us discern in our lives what is not essential so that we can turn toward that which is. Very often illness provokes a search for God and a return to Him. The Church believes and confesses that among the seven sacraments, there is one very special sacrament which is intended to strengthen those who are being tried by illness. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to by Mark in his gospel, but is recommended to the faithful and more fully explained in the letter of James the Apostle [James 5:14-15]. Most of us remember the time when the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was conferred exclusively on those who were at the point of death; it’s very name — “Extreme Unction” [Last Anointing] reminded us of this practice. But it is clear from the scriptures that this was never the intent of the sacrament. The early Church had an entirely difference approach to this sacrament; the Vatican council restored this approach and returned the sacrament to its original name. Today, this beautiful sacrament allows us a special encounter with God during those times of illness in our lives. The cross always leads to the resurrection; sickness leads to salvation. When are the times when we can receive this sacrament? There are many occasions — during any serious illness; before surgery; the elderly; mental and emotional illness; spiritual struggle; approaching death. Who determines when an illness is serious? You do! Whenever you feel you need the sacrament you should receive it. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has been the vehicle of many powerful encounters with God in the lives of people. If you have or know of friends or relatives who should receive this sacrament, please try to arrange for them to be here. If there is a problem with local transportation, please let us know. Join us for this special occasion.

PLAY BALL! Our Lady Chapel is going back to Classic Park to watch the Lake County Captains. Join us on Saturday, June 16th as the Captains take on the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Game time is 7:00 PM and that’s when our picnic dinner will be served. Our all-you-can-eat buffet will include hamburgers, barbecued chicken, as well as side dishes, chips, cookies and beverages. The meal will be available until 8:30 PM. Cost is $20 per person and includes the buffet and a box seat ticket. The game will be followed by fireworks. The last day to sign up will be Sunday, May 27th.

THE IMPORTANCE OF RECEIVING: Receiving is often harder than giving. Giving is very important — giving insight, giving hope, giving courage, giving advice, giving support, giving money, and most of all, giving ourselves. Without giving there is no brotherhood and sister-hood. But receiving is just as important, because by receiving we reveal to the giv-ers that they have gifts to offer. When we say: “Thank you, you gave me hope: thank you, you gave me a reason to live; thank you, you allowed me to realize my dream,” we make givers aware of their unique and precious gifts. Sometimes it is only in the eyes of the receivers that givers discover their gifts.

—taken from the writings of Father Henri Nouwen which appear on the internet

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CHILDREN’S BULLETINS: Each week, we are making available a Children’s Worship Bulletin. There are two editions: [3-6] and [7-12]. They are available on the table as you leave. The Bulletin focuses on the readings for the week. These are wonderful tools for your children to learn more about the scripture readings for the week. We hope you will take them for your families or your grandchildren. Thanks.

PRAYER REQUESTS: Jesus calls us to pray for one another. Please keep all these people in your prayers.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK: For Darleen Lonardo, grandmother of Angelina [‘22] and Giana Lonardo [‘22], who is undergoing

treatment for leukemia .

For Dorothea Lowry, mother of Art Instructor, Cynthia Lowry, who is seriously ill..

For Todd King [‘87], brother of Christie [‘91] King, who is undergoing treatment for mirocondra

For Dennis Kavran, father of Dennis [‘86] and Jennifer [‘95], grandfather of Adam [‘14] and Madeleine [‘16] Miller, who is critically ill and under the care of hospice..

For Vijay Singla, Brother of Science teacher, Neena Goel, uncle of Nikhil [‘13] and Nupur [‘17] Goel, who is undergoing treatment for liver cirrhosis

For Philip McNulty, nephew of Mike and Janet Heryak, Cousin of Lilian [‘09], Rosa [‘12], and Edwin [‘17] Heryak, who is undergoing medical treatment

For Nicholas Zanella, who is undergoing further medical treatment

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: We are currently discerning a new group of Eucharistic Ministers who would undergo training in the spring months. If you feel that the Lord is calling you to this ministry, we would be delighted to include you in that ministry here at Our Lady Chapel. Both adults and teens [must be going into Senior year of High School] are welcome to participate in this very special ministry. We are in need of ministers for both our Saturday evening and Sunday morning Masses. Contact Father John or the chapel office [440-473-3560] if you feel called to this ministry. We are always in need of Eucharistic Ministers.

CLEAN OUT THOSE CLOSETS AND SERVE OTHERS: Winter is here, and Spring is around the corner. It is another time to once again clean out the closets. Clothing that no longer fits, or has been replaced by new items, can become great items for others. Always remember the words of Jesus: “The poor you shall always have with you” [Matthew 26:11]. Please continue to bring your gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing to the Lennon Board Room, or place it in the cedar chest which is located in the Chapel narthex [just press the key button to open the chest]. We partner with Fatima Center to help provide clothing for general use. Also, business work clothing for this season is especially needed. The Fatima Center helps men and women prepare for job interviews. If you have some of these items, this would be a good time to send them along. Clothing for all seasons is accepted, but please try to keep in mind that storage facilities are limited at Fatima — so it would help if you could focus on winter and spring items at this time. You may pick up a tax form when you drop off the clothing here at Our Lady Chapel — there are forms in the cedar chest. Clothing may be brought on the weekend, or during the week. Thank you. If you have any questions, please contact Patty in the chapel office [440-473-3560].

DID YOU KNOW? You have to be a beginner before you can be anything else.

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PRAYER REQUESTS: Jesus calls us to pray for one another. Please keep all these people in your prayers.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK: For Jim Kress who is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

For Kevin Flamingo who is undergoing treatment for cancer.

For Ben Smallridge who is recovering from surgery.

For Bun Riley, who is under hospice care as a result of cancer.

For Irene Mohun who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

For Brother James Bluma who is recovering from injuries sustained in a fall

For Brother John Ptasek, who is undergoing treatment for a breathing ailment.

For Brother John May, former Business Manager, who is critically ill with an infection.

For Toni Burke, who is recovering from injuries sustained in a fall.

For Mike Heryak, husband of Janet, father of Lillian [‘09], Rosa [‘12] and Edwin [‘17] Heryak, who is undergoing treatment for Parkinson’s Disease.

For Wayne Lobue, former Gilmour Teacher, father of Daniel [‘82], Paul [‘83] and Jane [‘91] Lobue, who is undergoing treatment for cancer.

For Donald Zach, maintenance associate, who is undergoing medical treatment.

For Chuck Vanmeter who is undergoing treatment for cancer.

For Iain McGovern, grandson of former admissions associate, Linda Linaburg, who is recovering from brain surgery.

For Tom Podnar, father of Lower School art teacher, Eileen Sheehan, who is awaiting a heart transplant.

For Allison Maranuk [‘04] who is undergoing treatment for a serious head injury.

For Helen Evans, mother of Olivia [‘16] and Freddie [‘18], who is undergoing treatment for skin cancer.

For Charles Ertz [‘17] who is undergoing treatment for a recurrent tumor.

For Peter Van Dijk, grandfather of Riley Steffey, who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

For Ed Ralls, who is undergoing treatment for cancer.

For Delia Hernandez, mother of Patsy Schauer, who is seriously ill.

For Lois Grano who is undergoing treatment for cancer.

For Adam Deal [’03], who is undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.

For Bill Mirando, husband of Denise, and father of David [‘12], Agnes [‘14] and Matthew [‘25] who is undergoing medical treatment

For Joanne Celozzi, great aunt of Michael [‘22] and Jack [‘25] Overman, who is undergoing treatment for cancer.

For Vivian Zaratsian, a family friend of Upper School Science Instructor, Jessica Simonetta [‘05] who is undergoing treatment for leukemia.

For Bev Wamelink who is receiving treatment for cancer and heart issues.

For Wendy Myers, friend of Joanne Fisher, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer

For Brett Rechel [‘95] who is under the care of hospice.

For Ted Berr, uncle of Allen Stay [‘87] who is undergoing treatment for cancer.

For Claudia Remington, aunt of Upper School instructor, Cindy Fidanza, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

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SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK:

UPCOMING CHAPEL ACTIVITIES:

April 15 ------------------- Faith Education Class #23 EDGE Meeting

8:45 AM—9:45 AM 11:30 AM—1:00 PM

April 16 ------------------- LS Mass LS Parent Coffee Operation Keepsake Presentation

9:15 AM After Mass 2:15 PM—3:00 PM

April 17 ------------------- OLC Council Meeting 6:15 PM—8:00 PM

April 18 ------------------- Alumni Induction Ceremony 8:00 AM

April 20 ------------------- Junior Retreat 8:00 AM—3:30 PM

April 21 ------------------- Pancake Breakfast to support the poor 9:00 AM—1:00 PM

April 22 ------------------- Faith Education Class #24 LifeTeen Meeting

8:45 AM—9:45 AM 11:30 AM—1:00 PM

April 23 ------------------- 6th Grade Religion Mass 5th Grade Religion Mass

1:00 PM 2:15 PM

FAITH EDUCATION — April 15th: We need you to register your child for Faith Education, if you have not already done so. A simple call to the chapel office can get this accomplished. Our Sessions go from 8:45—9:45 AM, with the hope that our children would then participate in our 10:00 AM Family Mass. Register your family for classes by contacting Patty in the Chapel Office [440-473-3560]. Thank you for taking care of this impor tant responsibility. Here are the dates for the upcoming classes: April 15-22-29 and May 6 and June 3.

Sunday, April 15: 3rd Week in Easter 10:00 AM

Monday, April 16: 5:30 PM [Eucharistic Chapel]

Tuesday, April 17: 5:30 PM [Eucharistic Chapel]

Wednesday, April 18: 5:30 PM [Eucharistic Chapel]

Thursday, April 19: NO MASS

Friday, April 20: 5:30 PM [Eucharistic Chapel]

Saturday, April 21: 4th Week in Easter 5:00 PM

Sunday, April 22: 4th Week in Easter

10:00 AM

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REFLECTION FOR THE WEEK: Flowers are beginning to bloom. They will soon present their colors and smiles — only to fade in a few weeks. It has been two weeks since we began singing “alleluia”, and after a while the beauty of the Resurrection fades in our life as well. How long can you sustain a grin or a smile? How long can you stay upbeat over any bit of good news?

The liturgies of the weeks after Easter invite us to hear some parts of the good news so as to keep us in touch with how the Resurrection of Jesus is the good news about our own risings. We yearn for the grace of youthful joy. This grace for which we long does not return us to the innocence of our youth, but to the sense of our being re-embraced. It is the season of Baptism in which we have been “claimed by Christ” as His own.

And so the invitation of joy lingers in our church assemblies to allow the grace of joy to return and flow in and around us. And even if we have begun to walk away and forgotten and forsaken our own baptismal joy, we can pause to remember the life, death, and resurrection of the most Innocent all to re-immerse ourselves in His ever-flowing love.

I was privileged to concelebrate Easter-morning liturgy two weeks ago at Sacred Heart Church in the town of Pine Ridge, South Dakota. It was a cloudless morning, and as I was standing in the back of the little parish church, Delbert Yellow Horse greeted me and said: “Today I am going to drown myself in the sunshine.” His words rearranged the homily that I had prepared and prayed over earlier. The night before — at the Easter vigil — we had had a total emersion adult baptism in a beautifully decorated “horse stock tank”. The lovely young woman candidate had had some kind of “almost drowning” in the blest Holy Water. Delbert was planning on celebrating Easter joy by his drowning in the love of God into which he had been baptized years before. He was imagining the warm sun as how God has loved him and his Lakota People for centuries.

The Scripture Readings for this 3rd Week in Easter are filled with excitement. Peter is speaking to a crowd of Jewish spectators who have come to witness the man whom Peter and John had cured — through Christ’s intervention — from paralysis. He had been begging for money, but the two apostles could not give him silver or gold, but rather a recovery of his mobility through the Holy Spirit [Acts 3:1-4, 6-19].

Peter begins his speech with a kind of Scripture lesson. He reminds the bystanders that the God of their religious ancestors, the Patriarchs, has revealed Jesus to be the servant of the Scriptures. Peter then reviews how the listeners had been complicit in the handing over of this Servant to His death. Peter ends with a comforting call to repentance and life offered through Jesus whose death and resurrection was written in their Holy Scriptures. He invites his listeners to drown themselves in the forgiveness of Christ, who before He was born, was buried in their own prophetic writings. This Christ — the Servant of Suffering — once buried in a tomb, now is alive and giving life to all who believe.

Luke’s Gospel contains its own Easter Event [Luke 24:35-48]. Two disciples had been taking their exit-walk from Jerusalem back to Emmaus. Jesus had met them, and walked with them all day — unbeknownst to them. He responds to their invitation to stay with them, and while eating with them was known to them in the “breaking of the bread”. Then Jesus vanishes, but their hearts were so flooded with joy that they decided to return and reveal to the others what they had experienced.

It is at this point that Luke’s Gospel picks up the story. While the disciples are relating their being accompanied — literally by Jesus — the very same Jesus appears in the midst of the group and extends “peace” to all. Terrified and thinking they were seeing a ghost, the assembly has a real Easter dinner. Jesus, knowing their doubtfulness, invites them to touch His body, and then asks for something to eat.

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PRAYER REQUESTS: Jesus calls us to pray for one another. Please keep all these people in your prayers

FOR THE DECEASED:

For Chris and Chuck Marcum.

For Fr. Jerome Laubacker, O de M.

For Francis Cachat.

For Mary Joyce.

For Dimitri Leonarides.

For Ron Dieckman

For John Halloran, grandfather of former Gilmour teacher, Katie Petros

For Stanley Schweiger

For Sister Dorothy Reppen, C.S.C.

For Anne Polk, mother of Daniel [‘73] and Ron [‘76] Polk.

For Pinky Erdenbrach, aunt of Communications Associate, Jacqui Lundi, and great-aunt of Connor Lundi [‘17]

For Marlette Heryak, mother of Michael Heryak, and grandmother of Lilian [‘09], Rosa [‘12], and Edwin [‘17] Heryak.

For Nadar Khalil

For Kenneth McCarthy

For Lauren Noall, former Gilmour student, daughter of Kelly [‘90] Noall Moran, sister of Madison [‘16] and Dylan [‘20] Noall, Niece of Peter Moran [‘88], cousin of Rachel [‘10] and Weston [‘14] Noall.

For Michael Caraboolad, father of Eric [‘04], Nicole [‘05], Ryan [‘08] and Katrina [‘10] Caraboolad

PRAYERS FOR OTHERS:

For all those struggling with various addictions.

For a woman who needs to find a better place to live.

For an end to sexual abuse and lack of respect for human persons.

For an end to violence in our world.

For a greater respect for human life, from the moment of conception until natural death.

For all caregivers.

For all service men and women serving our country, and for their families.

AMAZON.COM: Please remember that when you want to buy something from Amazon.com, you need to first go to www.ourladychapel.org and click on the Amazon logo at the bottom of the home page! Because of this simple step — and at no cost to the purchaser — Our Lady Chapel receives a percentage of all purchases that are made from Amazon.com. Ever since we have begun this program, we have consistently been receiving significant checks from Amazon that are being credited to help pay for chapel expenses. This affinity program remains in effect throughout the year, so we ask everyone to continue to remember to start your purchases at Amazon on the Our Lady Chapel home page! Thank you.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE: “The life given us by nature is short; but the memory of a life well-spent is eternal.” —Cicero

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YOU ARE WITNESSES OF THESE THINGS: One of the most significant lines in Scripture Readings for this 3rd Week in Easter comes at the end of Luke’s Gospel. Appearing to his disciples on Easter Sunday night, Luke’s Jesus reminds them: “You are witnesses of these things” [Luke 24:35-48]. This verse assures us that Jesus’ true followers aren’t identified by the catechism answers they can rattle off, the number of indulgences they’ve acquired, or the religious symbols they wear. They’re simply people to be listened to because they are witnesses to Jesus’ dying and rising. Whether or not they were actually in Jerusalem during Passover week in 30 CE is of little consequence. What makes them important is that they’ve had the same dying/rising experience in their own lives. Since these life-changing things happened to them, they must also have happened to him. That’s what makes them other Christs — they share the same experiences.

Peter can certainly witness to this unique happening. Just a few weeks before, he emphatically told one of the high priest’s maids: “Woman, I do not know him!” when she asked about his relationship with some newly arrested Galilean carpenter [see Matthew 26:72]. Now he not only cures a crippled beggar in Jesus’ name, but he openly chides those who took part in putting him to death. Yet he doesn’t do so just to give them a guilt trip, he wants them “to convert, that your sins may be wiped away.” He hopes they’ll also be witnesses of Jesus’ dying and rising in their own lives [see Acts 3:1-4, 6-19].

Of course, the main way our sacred authors believe we die and rise with Jesus is by undergoing a “metanoia” — a repentance. That’s how he began his public ministry — proclaiming the presence of God in the lives of those who undergo a total change in their value systems. The author of the letter of John sees this repentance as revolving around keeping God’s commandments as Jesus taught them; focusing on the needs of others around us [1 John 2:1-6]. Those who experience the risen Jesus in their daily lives because of their value-change must be witnesses of that experience. It’s not something they’re to keep to themselves. Others must also be invited to share in this new life.

It’s important that the two Emmaus disciples mention that the risen Jesus “was made known to them in the breaking of the bread” [Luke 24:35-48]. Though Luke’s Jesus takes great pains on Easter Sunday night to prove he’s “not a ghost,” how do we know he/she’s real today? The chief way is in the breaking of the bread.

Though most of our early Eucharistic catechesis zeroed in on Jesus’ presence in the bread, we know from Paul’s letters — especially in his letter to the Church at Corinth — that second-generation Christians stressed his/her presence in one another. It was little skin off their teeth to profess faith in Jesus’ presence in the bread and wine; it was “controversial” to acknowledge that same presence in those standing or sitting around them [see 1 Corinthians 11]. If they couldn’t experience the risen Jesus in them, then he most probably was just a ghost.

Constant reform of the Eucharist is essential to our Christian faith. Since the Reformation we already have a huge percentage of Protestant communities who rarely participate in the breaking of bread. One need only read the minutes of the Council of Trent to discover a few of the 16th century Eucharistic abuses. No wonder reformers swore off such magical practices.

As the late Bishop Frank Murphy taught our North American College class of 1965 — “It’s your job to form the Eucharistic community into the Body of Christ.” Nothing should stop us presiders or the participants from carrying out that ministry. If we worry only about saying the right words and performing the right gestures we’ll never have a true breaking of the bread, and never help anyone become a true witness — even ourself. —taken from the writings of Father Roger Karban, which appear on the internet

TRUTH: A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song. —Maya Angelou

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Luke is greatly aware that his Greek readers were skeptical about such a thing as rising from the dead. He inserts this part of the story to comfort such skeptics. Jesus is offered some fish and eats it as a sign that He is truly Himself. Ghosts don’t have bodies — nor do they eat.

Jesus concludes this appearance with conclusive evidence from the writings of Scripture. The law, the Prophets and the Psalms all speak of the Servant having to suffer, die, and rise. This Good News is meant to affirm Jesus as the Messiah, and that forgiveness of sins is to be preached from the top of the Jerusalem Hill to the ends of the earth. Those who have seen Jesus’ risen Body are now to become that Body by living His life and giving His life to the world.

So there I met Delbert in the tiny town of Pine Ridge in the poorest county in the United States — economically speaking. And the Good News had reached his ears and heart. The Eternal Son had risen, and the Dakota sky and the Eternal Son was rising again for all the Delberts in the world — beginning from Jerusalem. Drowning in Jesus is not as easy as drowning in the Dakota sunshine on an Easter morning.

All relationships need mystery to survive. Jesus extended a deep relationship to His disciples by surprising them with the mystery of His bodily resurrection, but did not explain how it happened. They had — and we have — our doubts and questions about such goings-on. He continues calling us to take the leap into faith, and drowns us in the total mystery of His sun-like eternal embrace of our humanity and ourselves — beginning from Jerusalem and ending where ever we stand. We, like the disciples, have our doubts and we want to sit on the side of the pool or “stock tank” and question and ponder. Jesus has risen to invite us all and individually to take the plunge and experience what drowning is all about.

—taken from the writings of Father Larry Gillick, S.J., which appear on the internet

A NEW KIND OF LIFE: One thing for sure: The Resurrection of Jesus is not about “resuscitation.” A corpse does not come to life here and wait again to die. A body does not rise to bleed again. After the crucifixion, Jesus “appeared” in places, the Scripture tells us. He did not walk through doorways. He did not travel to them as he did from Galilee to Jerusalem. He did not sail to them as he did to Capernaum. He did not ride there by borrowed colt as he did on the way to the Temple. He simply “appeared” in the midst of their lives — while they were doing mundane things — without warning but vividly — the same but different.

No, the Resurrection of Jesus is not about revivification of an old life; it is about experiencing a new kind of life entirely. And no one knows how it happened — we only know that it happened. They “saw” him and “heard” him, and “walked” with him, and “felt” his presence in their lives. What else is there to know in a world where the wondrous has become commonplace? We “see” people and “hear” people and “experience” people long gone or far away and do it routinely, and take it all for granted. Here, too, an entire community began to experience Jesus differently.

Resurrection testifies to the metamorphosis of the Jesus of history to the Christ of faith. It is about the shift in people’s perception of the Jesus of first-century Nazareth to the Christ who galvanizes all time. It is about the Incarnation of the Jesus born in Bethlehem to the Jesus born in us. It designates the transformation of Jesus who rises from the dead in Jerusalem to the Jesus who rises — if we allow it — in us. The Resurrection of Jesus is about coming to grips with the transformed and transforming presence of Christ then, now, and always. Once that happens, life is never again the same. Life begins anew.

—taken from the writings of Sister Joan Chittister, O.S.B., which appears on the internet

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HOPE FOR THE RESURRECITON OF OUR BODIES: If you want to be reminded of your mortality, turn on the news and see the recent attacks in Syria, the growing tensions over gun violence in the United States, and the latest tragedy in your local news. If you want to be reminded of the hope that awaits our mortal bodies, look no further than the Scripture Readings for the 3rd Week in Easter!

“The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses!” [Acts 3:1-4, 6-19]. The promise of Christ proclaimed by Peter is not only good news for us in the present moment — the redemption from sin — but good news for us for eternity, too. As Catholics, our theology of the end is very specific. While our bodies and souls separate at death, we do not continue on as glowing, disembodied spirits for all of time. The resurrection of Christ foretells our own destiny — the resurrection of the body.

The Apostles lived in a world where, to paraphrase Thomas Hobbes, life was often “nasty, brutish, and short.” Among the powerful and privileged, the highest priority was bringing glory to the family name and producing enough strong offspring to continue the line. The rich could hire alchemists and magicians in the quest for immortality and eternal youth. Without modern medicine, any injury could be potentially life threatening, and every illness suspected to take a severe turn for the worse. When Jesus hung upon the Cross that Good Friday, even the most hopeful among them had no reason to suspect that — once he was taken down — there would be any more to the story.

It comes as no surprise, then, that Jesus emphasizes what he does when he appears to the Apostles — “‘Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see. They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them” [Luke 24:35-48]. Jesus’ return is no ghostly apparition. He has not emerged from the tomb as a luminous being, pure spirit shed of its earthly shell. Jesus is still Jesus. He is still fully God and fully human. When Jesus conquers death, he does so as a human being in his very flesh and blood. Not only that, but he is a human being who still bears the scars of inflicted violence. In the face of suffering, the thought of sloughing off our mortal coil may feel all too promising. Yet, by his resurrection, Jesus reinforces our bodiliness. He doesn’t negate it. Jesus redeems us through the offering of his life and the gift of his body. Through his example, we see that our bodies have moral potential. We act out our sin or sanctity, our vice or virtue, through our bodies. In John’s letter, he speaks of just that — “Christ is expiation for our sins. The way we may be sure that we know him is to keep his commandments” [1 John 2:1-6]. In other words, while the grace of God is living and effective in our life, our choices matter. And we enact those choices in and through our bodies. Our hands extend an offering to the poor; our feet operate the gas pedal in our car to move us to church on Sunday; our brains process the decision to obey God or to deny Him.

Our bodies matter. Life matters! Christianity is not a denial of the material world, but a participation in its sanctification. During this Third Week in Easter, be aware of the choices you make in and through your body. How do you reveal your love to your friends? What decisions do you make about the food and drink you consume and offer to others? To whom do you offer them? When you look at your own wounds — physical and emotional — how do they affect the way you see the world and interact with those around you? Remember, we worship a resurrected God. We are disciples of a resurrected Savior. “Of this we are witnesses” — will we choose a life for all the world to see?

—taken from the writings of Anna Carter, which appears on the internet.

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE: “Those who carry God in their heart bear Heaven with them wherever they go.” —Ignatius of Loyola

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BRINGING UP THE OFFERTORY GIFTS: Would you and your family or group like to bring up the gifts at the offertory at Mass? In the past, our Council people have invited people to bring up the gifts, and we have found that many — if not most — of you like to be asked. But in using this method, we may be leaving people out, especially if it is done as a “last minute item”. So, we are posting a sign-up sheet on the Easel in the narthex of the chapel. If you or your family or group would like to bring up the gifts on a certain Saturday or Sunday — or if you are open to doing this at any time — please call the chapel office [440-473-3560]. We look forward to opening this beautiful experience to all in our community.

DRESSES FOR HONDURAS: One of the nurses in our Gilmour Clinic is involved in a dressmaking project for the children of Honduras. They have devised a method of making sundresses out of common pillowcases, and then adorning them with other items for decoration. And that is where you come in. If you have any old buttons, ribbon, ric-rac, lace or other sewing trim, please bring them in. The group would like to collect these items to help decorate the dresses they are working on. This is an on-going project; the dresses will be sent to Honduras every time there is a mission trip. The next trip is scheduled for March of 2017. There is a basket in the narthex of the Chapel to collect any donations you may have. Thank you for your help!

Then it was as if I suddenly saw the secret beauty of their hearts, the depths of their hearts, where neither sin, nor desire, nor self-knowledge, can reach the core of their reality, the person that each one is in God’s eyes. If only we could all see each other that way all the time! There would be no more war, no more hatred, no more cruelty, no more greed. I suppose that the big problem would be that we would all fall down and worship each other.”

To repent is let the great soul, the image and likeness of God, reign within us so that — like Merton on the corner of Fourth and Walnut — we are so overwhelmed with compassion that indeed we do turn and face in a completely new direction.

—taken from the writings of Father Ronald Rolheiser, O.M.I., which appear on the internet

ENVELOPES: When you need a new supply of envelopes, please feel free to take a supply of them from the table in the vestibule, or call Father John at the Campus Ministry Office [473-3560].

WEEKLY OFFERING: Baskets will be passed during the “Preparation Rite” and will be brought to the altar as part of the Offerings to help offset chapel daily operating expenses. When you choose to use the envelopes, your donations to Our Lady Chapel will be acknowledged so that you have a record for the IRS. Total Offerings: Saturday [4/7/18] ---------------------------------------- $ 371.00 Total Offerings: Sunday [4/8/18] ------------------------------------------$ 604.00

ATTENDANCE: If you attend Mass regularly here at Our Lady Chapel, it would be helpful if you filled out a Registration Form [name, address, phone number, children, etc.] indicating this fact, if you have not already done so. Such information not only helps us to know who is attending Our Lady Chapel; it also is of great assistance to us in record keeping [for our friend, the IRS] of any contributions which you may make.

LIFE BEGINS AT HOME: Everyone has an idea about how to change the world, when the only world we are guaranteed the power to change is ourselves.

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LIVING IN THE HOLY SPIRIT: “Repent and believe in the good news!” [Mark 1:15]. These are the first words out of Jesus’ mouth in Mark’s gospel, and they are meant as a summary of the entire gospel. But what do these words mean?

In English, the word “repent” is often misunderstood. It seems to imply that we have already done something wrong, regret it, and now commit ourselves to live in a new way. Repentance, understood in this way, means to live beyond a sinful past. Biblically, this is not quite what is meant. In the gospels, the particular word used for repentance is metanoia. Literally this means to do an about face, to turn around, to face in an entirely new direction. But what direction?

Bishop Robert Barron offers a simple, yet profound, understanding this. In his view, within each of us there are two souls — a little soul [a “pusilla anima”] and a great soul [a “magna anima”]. On any given day we tend to identify more with one or the other of these — and we are a very different person depending upon which soul is reigning within us.

Literally, metanoia means to move beyond our present mindset, beyond our present way of seeing things. Thus, if I take my identity from my little soul, I will inevitably feel bitter and angry. It is here — in the pusilla anima — where I am petty, afraid, aware of my hurts, and constantly nursing the sense of having been cheated and short-changed. In my little soul, I am paranoid and defensive. When I relate to life through it, I am short-sighted, impatient, despairing, and constantly looking for compensation.

But I also have within me a great soul. When I let it reign, I become different person altogether. I am relating out of my great soul at those moments when I am overwhelmed by compassion, when everyone is brother or sister to me, when I want to give of myself without concern of cost, when I am able to carry the tensions of life without a breakdown in my chastity, when I would willingly die for others, and when my arms and my heart would want nothing other than to embrace the whole world and everyone in it.

All of us have had ample experience of both — identifying with the great soul and with the petty soul within us. Sometimes we operate out of one; sometimes out of the other. When Jesus asks us to “repent,” to do metanoia, what he is asking is that we cease identifying ourselves with the little soul, and instead to begin to live out of our other soul — the magna anima. The very etymology of the word metanoia implies this. It takes its root in two Greek words: meta [beyond]; and nous [mind]. Literally, metanoia means to move beyond our present mindset, beyond our present way of seeing things.

When one looks at the miracles of Jesus, it is interesting to see that so many of them are connected to opening up or otherwise healing someone’s eyes, ears, or tongue. These miracles, of course, always have more than a physical significance. Eyes are opened in order to see more deeply and spiritually; ears are opened in order to hear things more compassionately; and tongues are loosened in order to praise God more freely and to speak words of reconciliation and love to each other. To put it metaphorically, what Jesus is doing in these miracles is attaching the eyes, ears, and tongue to the great soul so that what a person is now seeing, hearing, and speaking is not bitterness, hurt, and pettiness but rather compassion, gratitude, and praise.

Many of us are familiar with a famous passage in Thomas Merton within which he describes a revelation he had one day while standing on the corner of Fourth and Walnut in Louisville. Among complete strangers in the middle of a shopping district on a very ordinary day, Merton had the sense that his eyes, ears, and tongue were suddenly attached to a bigger soul: “I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all of those people, that they were mine, and I, theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers. It was like waking from a dream of separateness.

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SERVING THE LORD IN THE POOR: For the past several months, our community has been volunteering at Our Savior Lutheran Church Food Pantry [located r ight across the street from the chapel]. The Pantry is open on the third Saturday of every month from 11:00 AM – 1:30 or 2:00 PM. Our Savior Lutheran’s Food Pantry was formed to serve those in emergency situations and/or with on-going need in the cities of Mayfield Heights, Mayfield Village, Highland Heights and Gates Mills. The Food Pantry respects social and cultural diversity and upholds the worth and dignity of those it serves. All those in the area with need will be served equally, as supplies allow. The food pantry is a member of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. During the course of the past year, the food pantry at Our Savior Lutheran Church served an average of 141 households each time. This is a wonderful experience. If you would like to help on any given third Saturday, please call Patty at the chapel office [440-473-3560] or sign up on the easel in the narthex, or email Elina Gurney at gurney.oh@gmail.com. Come as a family or by yourself .

CONFRONTING THE REALITY OF SIN: The Letter of St. John begins with this statement of purpose: “My children I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin” [1 John 2:1-6]. The author — representing the authentic tradition of the community of the beloved disciple — presents himself or herself as a wise teacher imparting practical wisdom to students tempted to ignore the reality of sin. It seems that near the end of the first century, some dissidents in the community claimed that those with a special knowledge of Jesus were saved and did not have to worry about committing sins or keeping the commandments. Today, there are other reasons for avoiding talk about sin — it carries too many negative connotations; it is easier and more productive to talk about neuroses; it produces unwarranted guilt feelings; it underplays God’s mercy; and it distorts the joy of the Gospel.

John’s letter encourages us to face the reality of sin because Jesus Christ, our “Advocate with the Father,” is “expiation” for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. We can admit our sinfulness because Christ, the righteous one, has atoned for our sins and intercedes before God on our behalf.

The author of this letter insists on the fundamental connection between a real personal knowledge of Christ and keeping his commandment to love God and neighbor. Those who say they know Christ but do not keep his commandments are “liars, and the truth is not in them.”

This letter reminds us that we are all threatened by sin which pervades the whole world. We can face this reality because Christ has definitively ensured the final triumph of grace over all forms of sin and evil. Our faith in Christ should lead us to do our best to follow the Lord’s command to love God and neighbor. There is a fundamental deceit in calling ourselves Christians but failing to follow his teaching.

We can imagine Christians responding positively to John’s letter. Preachers and teachers who almost never talk about sin because they are uncomfortable with its heavy moralistic overtones, could reintroduce the word explaining it in more acceptable terms, such as a failure to love or giving up on the goal of coming closer to Christ. Men who have been in the habit of demeaning women — whether overt or subtle — could recognize that this is a sinful violation of the law of love and begin to treat women with greater respect. Believers who regularly examine their conscious according to the Ten Commandments could also assess their behavior according to the high ideals of Christ’s law of love.

How could you face your sinfulness with greater honesty and deeper trust in Christ? —taken from the writings of Father James Bacik which appear on the internet

A PROVERB: You’ll never change your life until you change your choices

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THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION: The liturgy of the last two weekends have presented us with Gospel readings from St John; but on this 3rd Week in Easter, we switch to St Luke [24:35-48]. There are differences between the accounts of the various Gospel writers, but they have enough in common for us to realize that they do not differ in essentials — but merely in perspective.

John, for example, makes much of St Thomas’ refusal to believe [John 20:19-31]. This results in Christ making a further appearance in the Upper Room and inviting Thomas to put his finger into the holes in his hands and side. Here we have only a vestige of this incident where St Luke tells us that Jesus, to prove that he is not a ghost, invites all the Apostles to touch him so they can verify for themselves that he is real flesh and bones.

Jesus eats some fish — again to prove that he is a real physical person. But, of course, there are some differences between what he was before the resurrection and what he is now. His is now — what we call in the Church — a glorified body. In his risen body Jesus is able to appear where he wishes at will — even being able to pass through locked doors. He was just as easily able to vanish from people’s sight whenever he chose.

Jesus was also able to appear to his followers, but not be recognized by them until he decided the right moment for them to see who he really was. Examples of this include Mary Magdalene mistaking him for a gardener until he uttered her name [John 20:11-19], and also the disciples on the road to Emmaus [Luke 24:13-35] — who, despite spending a good while talking to him on the road, only came to recognize him in the breaking of bread.

That’s because this risen body — which, as Jesus says, is real flesh and bones — also has some qualities which are well beyond those which we possess here on earth. We can see that the resurrected body of Jesus, even though it is made of flesh and blood, is able to do things that no normal earthly body can do. From this we get a clue as to what our own bodies will be like when we eventually get to heaven. God promises us a bodily resurrection; but when we attain heaven we presume that the bodies we will inhabit there will be similar to the resurrected body of Jesus. We understand that these new bodies will not be susceptible to illness or sin and will most likely have some idealized form.

I think one of the reasons for this is that God wants us to be recognizably ourselves in the afterlife. And our being, as we experience it in this life, is a mixture of both spirit and flesh. We find it hard to separate our physical bodies from our spiritual nature. This is why suffering from amputations of facial disfigurements is so difficult for people. Losing our arms or legs means that we no longer feel that we are authentically ourselves anymore.

In the Apostles Creed, we express our belief in “the resurrection of the body and life everlasting”. By this we mean that in the hereafter we will definitely have recognizable bodies, but obviously they will need to possess greater qualities than the bodies that we now live in. The body we have in this life is open to corruption and has what you might call a limited shelf life. Also, when we die and our body is buried or cremated, it ends up as a pile of dust and is eventually incorporated into the soil.

Clearly then we understand that when we are called from this life, we will be given a completely new body which will be recognizable as our own, but which we call our glorified body. It is a body which is appropriate for and adapted to the completely new and different conditions of eternal life.

Luke tells us that Jesus opened the minds of the disciples to understand the scriptures and instructed them to proclaim repentance for the forgiveness of sins to all the nations. Earlier in the Gospels, the

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disciples had to become apostles. They had to become evangelists. The disciples could not keep the wonders of the New Life in Christ to themselves. Nor can we. That doesn’t me that we go knowing on every door, disrespecting other people’s faith. When

people want to speak about faith with us, we should speak with them. But we should always respect them for where they are in their faith journey. The places where we need to concentrate on proclaiming our faith are the places we work, we live, and the schools we attend, to name a few. There are many times that we are among people who brag about their exploits — how they cheated someone out of money or a position at work, how they cheated on their wife or husband, how they took advantage of their girlfriend or even boyfriend; how they talked someone into having an abortion — whatever. When people say or do horrible things and ask us to agree with them at least tacitly, we need to shore up our courage and say something to the effect: “I believe life is just so much better than all that. I’m Catholic. I’m Christian. I take it very seriously to do my best to live what I believe. I know I’m not the best Catholic I can be, but I try. And there is always forgiveness available for me. And this gives me peace and makes life so very beautiful.”

The people who hear this might become antagonistic. They probably will. They might even become hostile. Or they might simply walk away and decide never to speak to us again. But they also might wonder if we are right and if there is more to life than they are experiencing. Perhaps, in time — perhaps a long time, a time so long that we no longer have contact with them — perhaps, they decide that they also want the peace of a life that is more than physical life. So, they go to a priest, or a minister, they sit down in his office and say: “We really want what you people of faith have.” How did they get there into that office? They got there because the Holy Spirit led them there. And how did the Holy Spirit get into their lives? The Spirit came into their lives because we were not afraid to plant the seeds of God’s love. They got there because we take seriously the call of Christ to Evangelize — to bring the Good News to all people, to let them know that if they believe in Christ and repent, as the Gospel says, their sins also will be forgiven.

Evangelization is fundamental to Christianity. No one is called to be a Christian for himself or herself. We are called to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to others.

Every weekend we come to Mass, and we receive the great gift of God’s grace in the Word and in the Sacrament. And then we are commissioned at every Mass to take what we have received and to bring it out to the world — “Go in peace glorifying the Lord with your life;” “Go, and announce the Gospel of the Lord;” “Go and proclaim to the world that Jesus lives.”

—taken from the writings of Msgr. Joseph Pellegrino, which appear on the internet.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK:

Monday: Acts 6:8-15, John 6:22-29

Tuesday: Acts 7:51-8:1, John 6:30-35

Wednesday: Acts 8:1-8, John 6:35-40

Thursday: Acts 8:26-40, John 6:44-51

Friday: Acts 9:1-20, John 6:52-59

Saturday: Acts 9:31-42, John 6:60-69

Acts 4:8-12, 1 John 3:1-2, John 10:11-18

4th Week in Easter:

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WHY EVANGIZE? The doorbell rings, usually when the baby is crying, the children are fighting, and something is boiling over on the stove. You are hoping it’s the teenage girl down the street who often stops in to help you out with the children. So you get the door. Instead of the girl, there are two young men there asking if you believe in Jesus Christ. They come from an evangelical Church, and they would like to talk to you about your faith. Or maybe there are two women there holding Jehovah Witness pamphlets. Or perhaps they are Mormon missionaries. You quickly say that you are an active member of the Catholic Church, and they ask if they can come in to discuss the error of your ways. Well, you don’t have time for them, nor would you want to get into a debate with them — even if you did have time! So you tell them: “No thank you,” and wish them a good day. Later on in the evening, when the children are sleeping and you finally have a second to think, you say to yourself: “Well, I don’t go for strangers coming into my house and questioning my faith, but I do have to admire their determination.”

Perhaps, you have had those thoughts. I have to agree with you. I don’t think it is right for people to question other people’s faith, but I also do admire their determination to spread the faith as they believe it.

Where does this determination come from? What is its origin? It comes from the call to evangelize — “gospelize” — the world. Its origin is in the very foundation of Christianity. In Luke’s Gospel, we have Luke’s account of the first meeting of the eleven original disciples as well as others with the Risen Lord [Luke 24:35-48]. The Gospel makes it quite clear that the resurrection of Jesus is not a story, and that the Risen Christ is not a ghost. It is all true — He is real, with a human body. Then Jesus says: all this has taken place so that repentance and forgiveness of sins might be preached in His name.

The Book of Acts of the Apostles is filled with many examples of the first preaching of the disciples — now apostles. Peter and John had just healed a lame man in the temple by invoking the name of Jesus. When the Jews questioned them about this, Peter did not pull any punches [Acts 3:1-4, 6-19]. He told them that they put Jesus to death. They even demanded his death when Pilate offered to put a criminal to death instead of Jesus and return Jesus to them. Peter said that they and their leaders sinned — but to a great extent out of ignorance, not realizing who this Jesus was. And then he tells them to read the Scriptures carefully and realize that what happened to Jesus was foretold by the prophets. All was not lost for them, though — they could be converted and have their sins wiped away.

In his letter, St. John reminds us that Jesus is the expiation for our sins and those of the whole world [1 John 2:1-6]. That means he has paid our debt for us. This is a difficult concept. Let me simplify it by analogy. Let’s say you drink too much and drive, and then plow your car into someone’s house — right into their living room. Thank God no one got hurt, but there was a lot of damage. You lose your driver’s license — but that is just the beginning of your problems. You now owe those people an exorbitant amount of money — far more than you have. You may lose your own house over all this. Now, your parents find out about your troubles, dig deep into their retirement account, and pay the people whose house you damaged. Their sacrifice has made atonement for your sin. This is just an analogy, but apply this to Christ. His sacrifice on the cross paid the debt occurred by our sins — past and present. People need to know about this. They need to benefit from this by believing in the Gospel and following Jesus Christ.

The disciples were not content with staying in the Upper Room and just believing in Jesus themselves. They could not do that. The Lord demanded that they go out and tell others the Good News that the forgiveness of sins and eternal life were available for all people everywhere. The

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disciples are often portrayed as being a bit dense and lacking in understanding. There are many examples of situations in which they completely misunderstand the message of Jesus. Also on occasions they are to be found jockeying for position; and before the Crucifixion we see how Peter even denies knowing him.

But after the resurrection — particularly after Pentecost — we see that the Apostles have become completely new men. Their minds have been opened, and they come to possess a courage which was previously unknown. Not only this, but as we can see in the Acts of the Apostles, they acquire a complete understanding of Jesus’ message, and along with this they achieve a fluency of speech and an articulacy not seen before. In a few short days they seem to have moved from being dunderheads to persons of intellect, courage and great insight.

This is an astonishing transformation. Before the resurrection they were hesitant and unsure, but now they do not fear to proclaim the Gospel both to the generality of the people as well as to the authorities. Not only this, but we find that they are able to perform extraordinary miracles just as Jesus did. This is indeed a profound change; they have become completely new men.

Here it seems that the Risen Christ is able to get the Apostles to come to this new depth of understanding rather swiftly — certainly, much more than he appeared to be able to do during his public ministry. We can only assume that this is the result of the powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit which occurred both at Pentecost, but also on the occasions Jesus visited them in the Upper Room and breathed on them.

The transformation we see in the Apostles is a conversion from being followers to becoming leaders. This change in the Apostles enabled them to transform what was a widespread group of disciples of various degrees of commitment into the much more cohesive body which is the Church.

This powerful impetus, which is the result of the action of the Holy Spirit, continues within the Church down to this very day. Despite the faults and failings of both pastors and people the Church continues to flourish — it continues to reflect on the truths that Jesus taught and fearlessly proclaims them to whoever is willing to listen.

It remains a voice for the voiceless, and carries on its ministry of reconciliation and love in the world. But most of all, it is a community which draws the people together for worship and to celebrate the sacraments in praise of the one true God and Father of us all.

—taken from the writings of Father Alex McAllister S.D.S., which appear on the internet

NOVENA TO BLESSED BASILE MOREAU: We have placed on our table in the Narthex of the Chapel, two booklets with the Novena to Blessed Basile Moreau. The blue booklet is used when one is praying for a personal intention or healing; the gold booklet is used when you are praying for the intention or healing of someone other than yourself. The Novena was composed by Father Thomas Looney, C.S.C. Many have received blessings and healings through the intercession of Blessed Basile Moreau, and now we want to extend this invitation to you and your family to join in prayer through the intercession of Blessed Basile Moreau. If you receive a healing or favor through the intercession of Blessed Basile Moreau, please inform us and we will forward that information to the Holy Cross Offices in Rome. Please feel free to take booklets for you and your family.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE AN ALTAR SERVER or LECTOR? We continue to be in need of Servers and Lectors. Any student who is in the 3rd [and up] grade is

invited to become an altar server; any student who is in the 5th [and up] grade is invited to become a lector. These are both wonder ful ministr ies — a great way to serve God and the faith community. If you would like to take advantage of these opportunities, please give your name to Father John. You do not have to attend Gilmour to be an altar server, lector, or to be involved in any other ministry at Our Lady

Chapel. Please call the Chapel office [440-473-3560].

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WHEN YOU DON’T TOTALLY MEAN WHAT YOU PRAY: What happens when we don’t fully understand the words we say when we pray? Sometimes the words seem empty to us. You know what I am talking about — that point in Mass when you’re saying the Creed and hit that “consubstantial with the Father” part and realize you don’t even know what that means! So, should you even be saying it at all?

I am a revert to the faith, so I didn’t really begin to pray until I was in my mid-twenties. At that time, all I knew about God and Jesus was what I was taught back in First Communion class. And since I hadn’t practiced my faith since then, I developed a lot of bad habits — to say the least — and acquired plenty of misconceptions about God and we human beings. I came face to face with these same doubts and struggles as the Lord was slowly getting a grip on me and bringing me closer to Him. I started going to Mass and Confession. I was receiving the Eucharist. And still, these doubts and struggles persisted.

What I came to find out later was that this is the normal way of growth in faith and love. In other words, those doubts and fears you may be experiencing as you pray are perfectly normal bumps along the narrow way. So I tell you, relax and…

Don’t Freak Out! It can be intimidating when we hear stor ies of the saints and their heroic efforts to encounter the Lord. But even some of the greatest mystics in our tradition didn’t always feel successful in prayer. Saint Therese of Lisieux, St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Catherine of Siena — just to name a few — endured very real prayer struggles, even as they became more advanced in the spiritual life — and they’re all now doctors of the Church! Even St. Teresa of Calcutta — a great saint of our time — suffered from spiritual dryness and a sense of God’s absence for more than 30 years.

Here’s the thing — we are so caught up in thinking of prayer as an action, completely dependent on us, that we forget prayer is actually an invitation offered entirely by God to us. The Catechism reminds us that “in prayer, the faithful God’s initiative of love always comes first; our own first step is always a response” [CCC, #2567]. In fact, “only when we humbly acknowledge that ‘we do not know how to pray as we ought,’ are we ready to receive freely the gift of prayer” [#2559]. We simply have to respond to Him with an open heart and say with the prophet: “Speak, for your servant is listening” [see 1 Samuel 3:10].

The problem we often encounter is that our hearts are hardened and not attuned to God’s frequency; the one who speaks in the “still small voice” [see 1 Kings 19: 12]. But again, thanks to God’s initiative, we are able to listen because the Spirit dwells in us through our baptism. The Spirit then cheers us on as St. Paul tells us: “He who searches our hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” [Romans 8:27]. Above all, trust in God’s love for you, and know that He is bringing you — albeit slowly — to perfect communion with Himself.

Slow Down! “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him” [Romans 8:28]. Often in the struggle of meaning what we pray, we find an invitation from the Lord to confront specific obstacles to our spiritual growth or other challenges He wants us to overcome. The next time you find yourself in this place, don’t let yourself get all flustered and frustrated. Just take a step back and slow it way down!

Realizing that we may not totally mean what we pray means that we are at least conscious of what we are praying — and this is a very good thing. This first step of being open disposes us to the working of the Holy Spirit; and then we can proceed to discern the reason for the struggle.

We can ask: what does God want from me in this struggle? What is this struggle telling me about

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LIFE TEEN: Our next meeting of Life Teen will be on Sunday, April 22nd at 11:30 AM, when we will be discussing Earth Day — a call to faith. Please call the Chapel office 440-473-3560 to let us know that you will be joining us and to sign up to receive our texts and/or email reminders. We ask you to do this because food is provided. We normally meet right after Sunday Mass, 11:30 AM -1 PM, in the Lennon Board Room. If you cannot make our meeting on Apr il 8 th, our next gathering will be on Sunday, May 6th at 11:30 AM. Please continue to remember all our teens and young people in your prayers.

EDGE — MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP: Our next meeting of EDGE will be on Sunday April 29th at 11:30 AM, when we will be discussing Living the Easter Mystery. Please call the Chapel office 440-473-3560 to let us know that you will be joining us and to sign up to receive our texts and/or email reminders. We ask you to do this because food is provided. We normally meet right after Sunday Mass, 11:30 AM -1 PM, in the Lennon Board Room. If you cannot make our meeting on April 15th, our next gathering will be on Sunday, May 6th at 11:30 AM. Please remember, if you are going to be going with us on any of our trips, you need to have a signed Parental Permission form. If you need a form please call the Chapel office. Please continue to remember all our teens and young people in your prayers.

my own life? How is it inviting me to love, trust, or seek Him more? Where can I go to get answers to my questions? This is the start to deepening your prayer life, and thus strengthening your relationship with God.

Keep Going! Discouragement is the action of the evil one, and he will attack us as we actively strive for union with Christ through prayer. We need not forget that prayer is a battle — think about Jesus going into the wilderness to do battle with the devil [see Matthew 4:1-11]. This battle does require sacrifice, as Jesus made clear when He called us — “If you want to come after me, you must deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me” [Matthew 16:24].

But do not despair, for Christ Himself will be your armor and lead the way. Listen to St. Paul’s advice to take “the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God and pray at all times in the Spirit” [Ephesians 6:16-18].

So even though we struggle to mean all the words we say when we pray, know they are effective because they are borne in the Spirit. Remember that, as Christians, all our prayers rise to God and are accepted by Him as if His own Son is the one making them. As Catechism reminds us: “All our petitions were gathered up, once for all, in his cry on the Cross and, in his Resurrection, heard by the Father” [CCC, #2741].

So we pray in Jesus’ name, clinging to Him with faith “beyond what we feel and understand,” trusting in His command to “‘seek’ and to ‘knock,’ since he himself is the door and the way” [CCC, #2609]. Never stop praying on account of the struggle because the Spirit wants the words to take root in our hearts and conform us deeper to Christ — we just have to let Him!

My friends in the struggle, I leave you with this little reminder from St. Teresa of Avila: “Prayer is nothing more than spending a long time alone with the one I know loves me.” Do not be intimidated by big words and fancy formulations. Rather trust in Jesus who sends us His Spirit and comes to “guide you into all the truth” [see John 16:13]. —taken from the writings of Alfredo Martinez, an associate of LifeTeen.

WISE WORDS: When you focus on problems, you get more problems. When you focus on possibilities, you get more opportunities.