Dear Friend of Carmel Mission,
It is with great pleasure that I can report on the success of our Easter celebration with our“virtual community.” Our Easter Sunday Mass has over one thousand views, and our online community continues to grow each day. As you know, we are reaching out in all possible ways, through the platforms of Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, as well as our own website, carmelmission.org. We are amazed and thrilled that so many of you are connecting with us regularly though the Daily Prayers, weekend Masses, and Prayer Requests. Thank you for being with us in these strange and difficult times.
I also wish to thank you for your generous Easter Offerings. Many of you aremoving to electronic giving, which is easier for you hopefully, and easier for us aswell. Many more still made a special effort to contribute more than usual for theirEaster Offering, and I am profoundly grateful. Your generous continued support ensures that we can continue to stay connected in ways old and new.
This Sunday, as we celebrate Divine Mercy, my mind turns especially to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Be assured that God’s mercy is greater than we can ever comprehend. In this time when the Sacrament of Reconciliation is not available to us, God knows our hearts and God hears our prayers. He knows our desire to be reconciled to Him, and our ongoing need for His mercy and forgiveness. Wanting only good for us, our God will, through His boundless and mysterious mercy, supply us with all that we need. Please see Bishop Danny Garcia’s letter regarding the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the time of COVID-19, available on our website.
In my Easter homily, I encouraged us all to “drive out the virus of fear by practicing the virtue of love.” We see that idea in action in the Gospel today where we find the disciples living in fear, hiding in a locked room. Jesus comes among them, and rather than offer any criticism of their cowardice or their abandonment of Him during His Passion, He acts with complete love, offering instead the gift of His peace, and the consolation of the Holy Spirit. Jesus will give no less to all of us who love Him and come to Him as we can, however we can, in these challenging times.
I wish you and your loved ones continued Easter blessings of new hope and profound peace,
I also wish to thank you for your generous Easter Offerings. Many of you aremoving to electronic giving, which is easier for you hopefully, and easier for us aswell. Many more still made a special effort to contribute more than usual for theirEaster Offering, and I am profoundly grateful. Your generous continued support ensures that we can continue to stay connected in ways old and new.
This Sunday, as we celebrate Divine Mercy, my mind turns especially to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Be assured that God’s mercy is greater than we can ever comprehend. In this time when the Sacrament of Reconciliation is not available to us, God knows our hearts and God hears our prayers. He knows our desire to be reconciled to Him, and our ongoing need for His mercy and forgiveness. Wanting only good for us, our God will, through His boundless and mysterious mercy, supply us with all that we need. Please see Bishop Danny Garcia’s letter regarding the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the time of COVID-19, available on our website.
In my Easter homily, I encouraged us all to “drive out the virus of fear by practicing the virtue of love.” We see that idea in action in the Gospel today where we find the disciples living in fear, hiding in a locked room. Jesus comes among them, and rather than offer any criticism of their cowardice or their abandonment of Him during His Passion, He acts with complete love, offering instead the gift of His peace, and the consolation of the Holy Spirit. Jesus will give no less to all of us who love Him and come to Him as we can, however we can, in these challenging times.
I wish you and your loved ones continued Easter blessings of new hope and profound peace,
Fr. Paul
Please take a moment to read our Carmel Mission Weekly Bulletin.