In the Psalms and the Gospels, it mentions how people of faith "go up to Jerusalem". It’s a term that captures ascending spiritually to the city of God. But it also covers the geography because it rests on a high mount. We literally need to travel uphill to reach Jerusalem from Tel Aviv airport or the Jordan River valley on the other side. Pray for us as we walk the path of Christ and gradually rise up to new levels of faith as we do so. When we return, parishioners will be on fire with an image of Jesus that is no longer black & white, but technicolor. ...

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I may sound obsessed about Parish Council lately but it’s so necessary. There are 4 vacancies. We need people who can think "big picture" and plan ahead for a growth in ministries that don't require a priest's attention. More than ever, these are your parishes. Who understands how boards of directors work? They don't create the bake sale or dinner, they recruit the people who will run those events on a long-term basis. Our parishes need to chart a course not based on Fr. Bill's direction, but on what was clearly expressed in the Synod Listeni...

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On Saturday, May 7, several children will receive their First Holy Communion. In the subsequent weeks as they become more relaxed, they will absorb the attitude they see from us as we receive. Do they see reverence as we take the Body of Christ in our hands? Are we prayerful after returning to our seats? Do they see us at church with regularity? Adult behavior often sets the bar for children. As we sing, pray, and genuflect, they watch. Meanwhile, we pray for them.

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The Feast of (John) Mark the Evangelist is on Monday. He was a cousin of Barnabas. While he traveled with Paul, he seemed closest to Peter. His audience was Gentile Christians when he wrote about 30 years after the death of Jesus. Although this is the shortest gospel, it’s also more detailed and less theological. His main theme is to proclaim the Good News that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah.

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