Dear Parishioners:

In these last few weeks of the Easter Season, we are invited to reflect upon the Last Discourse of Jesus to His disciples and in this weekend's section, we have the Prayer of Jesus which is composed of three parts.  The first part is an earnest appeal to His Holy Father that God would care for His fragile disciples and to be a Father to them.  Then He prays for them as they suffer the tensions and turmoil in the world and that they would be made holy.  For Jesus, their holiness increases the more they imitate Jesus' gift of self to the Father.  We remember that He is saying this prayer as His apostles are gathered around the table of the last Supper when His total act of selfless love will be offered to the Father upon the cross.  As we read this Prayer of Jesus, we become aware of the tender love that He has for His followers.  He will be forever mindful of them and desires that there be a oneness of love among all who believe in Him.  As we gather as a believing community and offer our prayers to the Father, through Christ, let us prepare for the feast day of Pentecost with the ancient prayer, Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful with your love.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. David