Bulletin Article: April 24

Happy Easter!

While most of the world has moved on from Easter we continue to rejoice at the Good News of the Lord’s Resurrection. The Easter season officially ends with our celebration of Pentecost which will be June 5th. Let us use this season to continue to dwell with our Risen Lord in order that our hearts may burn within us for Him. No matter what we must face within this life let us realize that He is always present with us as He was present with His disciples on the way to Emmaus.

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins

Divine Mercy Sunday Homily

This 2nd Sunday of Easter is also known to us as Divine Mercy Sunday. As Pope Benedict XVI had addressed those in a youth prison, “Jesus loves you and forgives you. He is your Father and waits for you with open arms.”

So often we put boundaries upon the reception of God’s love and mercy. To those who truly desire to receive God’s mercy and love it will be given. Thankfully this also includes each of us who from time to time move away from God’s love and mercy. None of us are perfect and thus each of us must be found receiptive to this mercy and love.

The Risen Lord comes in order that we may be freed from sin. Thanfully He breathes upon His apostles and says, “Whoever’s sins you forgive, they shall be forgiven.” Nevertheless, there are many who do not participate in this sacrament of love and mercy. We must remember that we can do nothing separated from God and thus all the sacraments join us to Him in order that we may be touched by the gift of His grace.

In the sacrament of confession we encounter the Father whose arms are left wide open for us. If we have a contrite heart there is no sin that cannot be forgiven, no matter how bad we may perceive that sin to be. Sacred Scripture speaks to us of an unforgiveable sin which is that sin made against the Holy Spirit. These are those who live under the state of mortal sin and desire to do nothing about it.

What are you holding back from the mercy of God? As one of Saint John Paul II’s most used phrases would state, “Be not afraid.” There is nothing for us to be afraid of for with God there is always mercy, love, and forgiveness. Be not afraid to approach the Lord in the sacrament of confession for He is truly merciful and just.

If one looks closely at the Divine Mercy image they would see that Jesus in lifting His hand in blessing. From His heart flows streams of red and white. These symbolize to us the blood and water which sprung forth from His pierced side. It is through this blood and water that springs forth a fountain of mercy from which we are saved and made clean.

Saint Faustina states concerning this day in her diary, “On that day the very depths of my tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of my mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to me, even though its sins be scarlet.”

In our Gospel Saint Thomas came to behold these wounds which set Him free. Through the wounds of our Lord He came to have faith. From these wounds may we come to be set free. Let us come to enter into the loving embrace of the Father who leaves His arms wide open for us.

Jesus, I trust in you.

1st Communion Homily

My dearest children today is a most joyous occasion.

We are filled with joy for the Lord has risen from the tomb signaling the triumph over sin and death to us. We are filled with joy for today you will receive Him for the first time in the Eucharist.

In the Eucharist Jesus continues to come to us out of love under the appearances of bread and wine. Due to what takes place here at the Mass each of us should be happy no matter our age because we come here in order to encounter Jesus.

As you come to receive Jesus for the first time you are filled with joy and rightfully so. Hopefully this same joy will continue each and every time that you receive Him. So often when we do something over and over again it becomes ordinary, but there is nothing that is ordinary about the Eucharist for there is nothing that is ordinary about Jesus.

A saying to priests states, “O priest of God, say this Mass as if it were your first Mass, your last Mass, your only Mass.” The same should be said of those who encounter Jesus in Holy Communion. We should receive Him each time as you do on this your first time with joy. Each and every single time that you receive Him you should do so with joy.

Let us always remember the joys of the Eucharist for Jesus is truly present among us under the appearances of bread and wine.

Bulletin Article: April 17

Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

I welcome all to our parish community. If you are new to our community and local I hope that you will register with our parish and become an active member of our parish family. I thank all who have assisted in any way during our Triduum and Easter liturgies.

As we continue to rejoice at the Good News of the resurrection of the Savior let us find our hope. In the midst of sickness and war the hope that Christ brings always remains. Let us allow Him to be our light.

Next Sunday we will be Divine Mercy Sunday. This Sunday serves as a celebration of mercy. There will be a special Divine Mercy service at 3:30pm. This weekend confessions 30 minutes prior to Sunday obligation Masses will resume.

Happy Easter,

Fr. Dustin Collins

Easter Homily

Christ is risen! He has risen indeed!

Happy Easter!

The Lord died upon the cross and He was placed in the tomb. How sad this moment in history would of been if we were present at it. As the stone was rolled into place there would of been a lot of lamenting from those who came to know Him in this life. What if this was the end of the story? What if the Resurrection had never taken place?

If the Resurrection had not taken place none of us would be here this Sunday. If the Resurrection had not taken place the world would still anticipate the coming of the redeemer because Jesus would be nothing more then a prophet.

How sad it would be if our death was the end. How sad it would be if sickness is all that we would ever know. How sad it would be if sin was so powerful that we were unable to be freed from it’s grasp through the infinite mercy of God.

The world continues to be touched by these various realities. We see war in various places such as what is taking place in the Ukraine. We see the war that rages on against the unborn. We see those who are touched by sickness be it COVID-19 or something else. We see people who must scrounge in order to survive. Without the Good News of the Lord’s Resurrection all of this would be just too much to bare.

Thankfully we gather on this day and we are able to rejoice. We rejoice for the Lord has truly risen. We rejoice because sin and death are not the end. We rejoice for sickness is nothing compared to that life which is to come in the Kingdom of Heaven. Despite war and other grievances against human flourishing we are able to cry out with true Christian hope that something greater will come.

From the depths of empty tomb springs forth the reality of Everlasting Life. The stone has been rolled away and with it we are able to rejoice for our faith takes on purpose. The Lord has risen and we come to know that God’s love was so great that He came to dwell among us and die for us. Christ has an undying love for each of us no matter what hardship that we may be going through in this vale of tears.

Let this Easter season be one of true joy and hope. The world that surrounds us will continue to be touched by so much. Nevertheless, through the Lord’s Resurrection we come to know and believe that there is something more to this life. We are assured to not fall into despair, but to continue onward with the confidence of faith. Let us come to place our trust in the merciful hands of the risen Lord and allow Him to be hope as He came to be the hope to Mary of Magdala, the apostles, and all those who came and continue to come to know Him.

Easter Vigil Homily

Happy Easter! 

Christ is risen! He has risen indeed!

This night we celebrate the reality of the Lord’s Resurrection. We come to profess with the confidence of faith the great hope that He has come to triumph over the tomb of sin and death. So often our world is thrust down in an attitude that all has been left grim for us. In such manner we forget the virtue of hope that professes that something greater will always come.

Thus in the midst of this Vigil Mass we began in darkness, but from the illumination of the light of Christ this darkness of sin and death was thrust from our midst. Our readings proclaimed the reality of salvation history unto us. Through these words we reached the great culmination of all that has come before us in Christ who has come to die upon the cross in order that we may be redeemed and who has triumphed over that tomb through His Resurrection.

This night we have those in our midst who will profess the new life of Christ. They will enter into the waters of baptism and come to be claimed for Him. Through these living waters they will come to die to self in order to live for Christ. There are also those who will be received into the Church through a profession of faith. These individuals like us have already been baptized, but will now come to commune with us in Christ’s gift to the Church which is the Most Holy Eucharist.

This hope of the Lord’s Resurrection must always be professed with our lips. It is easy to have the seriousness of a relationship with Christ to fade away as time passes. This night we make a renewal of our baptismal promises for through them we remember that our life must come to be ordered towards Christ.

May we be sent forth from here with true vigor to live out the hope of all that we have proclaimed through he reality of the Lord’s Resurrection.

Good Friday Homily

We profess in the Creed, “He suffered under Pontian Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.” These words profess to us the reality of God’s love. God’s love is so great that He was willing to take on our human flesh and die upon the cross. Through this saving action that which has been broken down by sin and death has been restored to life.

In a matter of moments we will have the opportunity to venerate this object which has won our salvation. So often the cross blends into our modern culture and we forget to take a step back to reflect upon what has taken place for us. As we come to venerate the cross let us realize that through this instrument we have so much to be thankful for. Despite the hardships of this life we are able to join with the Lord in His suffering as we now anticipate the joy of His Resurrection.

Bulletin Article: April 10

Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week. At this time we especially remember the Passion of the Lord and anticipate His resurrection.

Holy Thursday, April 14, is the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. This Mass will be at 7pm and call to mind the very night that Christ took bread and wine into His Hands that becomes His Body and Blood. On this evening the feet of 12 individuals will be washed as a reminder of our call to service.

Good Friday, April 15, is the day that the Lord lowered His Head and died upon the cross. There is not Mass this day, but there will be a service at 7pm where we will venerate the cross and receive Holy Communion.

Holy Saturday, April 16, will be the Easter Vigil Mass at 8:30pm. Please note that there will not be Mass this day at 5pm. Also, please realize that this is a beautiful, but lengthy Mass. At this Mass adults will be baptized and brought into full communion with the Church. Please keep them in your prayers.

Easter Sunday, April 17, we rejoice at the Good News of the Lord’s Resurrection. Please realize we will not follow our normal Sunday Mass schedule. For this Sunday Masses will be at 8am, 10am, 12:30pm (Spanish), and 3pm (Latin).

Please consult the bulletin for other events taking place during Holy Week and Easter.

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins

Bulletin Article: April 3

Our Lenten Day of Recollection will be April 9th from 9:30am-12:30pm. Father Michael Hendershott who is the Parochial Vicar of Holy Ghost Parish in Knoxville will be our presenter. He will present on bringing the faith into the world to share with others. This day will provide an opportunity for study, prayer, confession, and fraternity.

Next weekend will be Palm Sunday which is the start of Holy Week. On this day we joyfully greet Jesus as He enters into the holy city of Jerusalem. Assuming the weather will cooperate we will gather outside in the labyrinth area for the blessing of palms and procession into the church.

In Christ, 

Fr. Dustin Collins