You have put on your new beautiful dress to meet Jesus in Holy Communion. But more important than the clothes you wear – is that you have also prepared your heart to meet Jesus. That is why you made your First Confession yesterday. You have been praying to Jesus for so long because you want to make sure your heart is ready for Jesus.

When Jesus comes to you, tell him you love him, and thank him for coming to you. After Holy Mass everyone will greet you. They are going to wish you all the best. Some people will even give you presents. But, you must remember the most important present today is Jesus coming to you in Holy Communion. Jesus coming to you is the best gift you will receive today and forever. Jesus is more important than all the money or presents, delicious food or cake.

Parents, for you this is a special day, and a happy day as well. Today you see your child taking a new step in faith as you present her to share with us all in the fullness of the Lord’s Supper for the first time. You were her first teachers in the ways of faith. You have to remember that it is through parents more than anyone else children come to know about God.

Even if you are a teacher, an excellent one, priest or parish, unless the children sense their parents’ faith they will not absorb faith. Teachers and priests cannot plant faith in the heart of children if parents do not.

Family, friends, people of the parish, this is a time of great rejoice for you too. You all in various ways have helped to lead Natalie to this special day. And I am sure you will help with her future growth in this faith. Please do so and please remember her in your prayers.

Finally Natalie the last word is for you.

I still remember my First Holy Communion and remember the place in the Church where I sat with my family. I hope you don’t forget today’s day too, your First Holy Communion Day. May Jesus make this day a very special one for you and your family. May he bring you great joy and fill your heart with his love.

During the First Reading, we heard the words, “God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.”

During the Second Reading, we heard, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Today`s Gospel tells us:

“Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

My dear brothers and sisters, today Holy Scripture and the Church tell us that Jesus came to this world to suffer and through His suffering destroyed death, sins and evil. He came to suffer and forgive our sins and sins of the whole world. He came to give salvation and open the gate of heaven for all people in the past and in the future.

My friends today`s world is not different from of our ancestors. It is not easy for us to admit that we are sinners and that there is sin in the world. Today people speak of mistakes, of faults, of misunderstandings – but sin is a reality that is still unpopular, even though we are all sinners. It is not easy change people and to tell them that they are in sin and need to repent. But, the Church proclaims that Jesus and the Holy Spirit can change us and people around us. With God’s grace true repentance is possible.

My sisters and brothers, today we are invited to look into our hearts and to know that we need salvation. We are invited to recognize that we are sinners and we need repentance. We are invited to accept that Jesus came to die for us and for our sins and that in Him we are redeemed. We are invited to proclaim repentance and the forgiveness of sins throughout the whole world. We are invited to follow Jesus Christ in every aspect of our lives.

This is not an easy road! This calling can only be achieved by the grace of God the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit in the Most Holy Name of Jesus. As we continue with the celebration of the Holy Mass, let us keep in mind that Jesus suffered in our place for the forgiveness of our sins. That is an incredible message of hope and love.

Let us rejoice because Christ is risen!

As you know our country and the entire world lives in a very difficult times when moral values and human life itself is in a danger. Economic and financial crisis is very serious. People are concerned and afraid about future, what is going to happen next day.

My friends, God is stronger than any difficulties and any evil forces.

On first Good Friday, many believed that everything has ended with the crucifixion of Jesus. They lost faith and hope, but only for few days. On Sunday morning the women returned from the tomb and told the Apostles that Jesus had risen, as He had promised. They told them and the whole world that Jesus is alive and He conquered death.

As we approach joyous Easter let us not forget how important and significant is Lent as a preparation for the Feast of Resurrection. Lent and Easter is a good opportunity for renewal of our faith, for deepening unity with our Savior, and also for deepening our love for God and people.

Easter Season reminds us that Jesus has redeemed all people. The message of Easter is that we too will experience a resurrection and live in eternal happiness with God. This is the truth and mystery which may be difficult to comprehend, but we know that it happened, because we have the testimony of the witnesses, the Apostles.

On Easter Sunday let us rejoice with the Risen Lord. Jesus is our Lord, our truth and our hope in the time of happiness and difficulties.

Best wishes for a Blessed, Holy and Joyous Easter Season.

Fr. Andrew Koterba

• Sunday, April 1st at 9 am – Palm Sunday Procession & Mass
• Thursday, April 5th at 7 pm – Holy Thursday Mass
• Friday, April 6th at 7 pm – Good Friday Liturgy
• Saturday, April 7th at 1 pm – Blessing of Easter Baskets. Bring your eggs, cooked foods, uncooked foods, baskets or not, covered with a white linen cloth (or not)… Father Andrew will bless your Easter foods in a short, cheerful service.
• Sunday, April 8th at 9 am – Easter Resurrection Mass