Dear Parishioners in the Risen Lord!

No doubt this Lent was again a different one. I hope that Easter 2022 is and will be better than the two previous. Just before Ash Wednesday the world in XXI century experienced the tragic and brutally unjust invasion of the Ukraine by Russia. We all saw the pain and suffering of the People of Ukraine, while facing our own fear and afflictions of the pandemic in a new form of COVID. However, I hope that the Easter Season will conclude these agonies, and the victory of Truth, Love and Peace will be visible in the world and around us. I believe that through prayer, penance, and almsgiving, you are well prepared for the celebration of the most important Solemnity of the year, the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that you, your families, and friends will feel God’s blessings.

I’d like to update you with some good news from our wonderful community and campus. On Palm Sunday we celebrated the full liturgy of Christ’s Entrance to Jerusalem with Palms and Hosannas, as well as the beginning of His Passion. On Holy Thursday at the Celebration of the Last Supper, we were blessed to listen to our Msgr. Gerard Krieg, the oldest priest and only living Monsignor in the DOR! On Good Friday Service (the one day when the Church does not celebrate Mass) we commemorated the death of Christ. Now, the Vigil and Easter Day give us a new assurance of our faith in the Risen Lord and glorious celebration of the Resurrection. After Easter we will reestablish coffee with donuts after the 8:00am Mass (with no fat and calories!) and young children's liturgy during the 10:30am Mass (ages 5-7). On Palm Sunday and Easter, we had and will continue to have the basket collection at the Sunday 10:30am and 5:00pm Masses. I really appreciate all those who were, are, and will support us through online donations (which is the best and easiest way) checks and cash, as well as those who volunteer with us at the church and in the community. God knows your intentions and dedication, even if your pastor doesn’t see or recognize them.

Confirmation for our students will take place on Tuesday, April 26th at 7:00pm, in our Sacred Heart Cathedral. First Communions will also take place on Saturday, May 14th and May 21st at 10:00am here at St. Louis. Last, but certainly not least among the Sacraments, we have the Ordination of Gerard de La Fuente to the Deaconate on Saturday, May 21st at 10:00am in the Sacred Heart Cathedral! There will be a Sunday reception on May 22nd after the 8:00am and 10:30am Masses for anyone who would like to meet or congratulate him. He will be the second Deacon (after John Payne) from our parish! Let’s give thanks to God for His vocation, and pray for more vocations to the diaconate and priesthood.

I hope you have noticed how beautiful our campus looks. As I mentioned in my Lenten message, we are on the way, in the near future, to changing the church HVAC, roof at the Rectory, and roof at the Ministry Center. Kudos to Sally Schrecker, Laurie Martin, Members of the Building & Grounds Committee, Trustees, and for all current and future donations. I need to report to you, that since the middle of February we needed to manually restart our very, very old (here since the church’s construction) church furnace every day!

I am grateful for CMA donations of $246,961.85, with more than dozen donors from $3 to $30K and 88 new donors this year! We need an additional $25,860.00 to meet our goal. Let me once more beg those who have not had a chance to give, give whatever you can before May 15th, so we achieve our goal. May the Risen Lord fill you with hope and lasting joy! Praying that peace might be reestablished in Ukraine, in the world, in our country, in our local area and that this Easter might be rich in spiritual growth.

I am grateful for your faith and remain in Christ.
Yours,

Fr. Mitch

Rev. Mitchell Zygadlo, Pastor