1919 North 2nd Street, Bismarck, ND 58501-1735email: info@corpuschristibismarck.comwebsite: www.corpuschristibismarck.comfacebook: www.facebook.com/CorpusBismarck

Parish Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600Parish Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255-3104Parish Fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4616

WEEKLY LITURGY SCHEDULE

Saturday (Vigil of Sunday) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:00 p.m.Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:30 & 10:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.Spanish Mass (3rd Sunday) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:00 p .m .Monday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12:10 p.m.Tuesday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:10 & 5:30 p.m.Wednesday-Friday . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:00 a.m. & 12:10 p.m

EUCHARISTIC ADORATIONTuesdays (12:45-3:15 p.m.); Thursdays (7:00 p.m.)

Rev. Paul D. Becker, Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 203)Rev. Raphael Obotama, Parochial Vicar 255-4600 (ext. 211)Rev. Terry Wipf, Parochial Vicar . . . . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 218) Tracy Kraft, Parish Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 212)

PASTORAL MINISTERS Cindy Anderst, Pastoral Care . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 205)Jennifer Braun, Music Ministry . . . . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 209)Mariah Conner, Faith Formation . . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 219)Mary Janusz, Pastoral Care . . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 220)Sr. Ivo Schoch, Outreach Ministry . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 208)

DEACONS: Michael Fix, Lonnie Grabowska, Rex McDowall

PARISH SUPPORT STAFFLoretta Arntz, Bookkeeper . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600 (ext. 201) Jane Bosch, Kitchen Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600Viola Bullert, Janitress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600Niel Heinze, Maintenance Technician . . . . . . . . . . . 255-4600Bridget Johnson, Administrative Secretary . . . . . . 255-4600

MISSION STATEMENTAs disciples of Jesus, we live our faith through Word, Sacrament, and Service.

CHURCH OF CORPUS CHRISTI

PARISH BULLETIN DEADLINE: Articles must be received by noon on Wednesdays (typed format).

PRAYER TREE: 255-4600

April 1, 2018SACRAMENTS

Reconciliation is offered: Saturdays: 3:00-3:30 p.m. Mondays - Fridays: 11:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Tuesdays: 5:05-5:20 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays: 6:35-6:50 a.m.

Two Priests available Saturday afternoon & Wednesday before the 12:10 p.m. Mass. If you are unable to make these times, you can call the pastor at 701-255-4600 for an appointment. Baptism - The Baptism Preparation Program and Schedule are by arrangement. Please call the office at 255-4600 to register prior to your delivery date and the program director will return your call. Parents must be registered at Corpus Christi or have permission from their parish. Marriage - Couples planning to be married should call the parish office at 255-4600 at least 9 months in advance. Completion of required paperwork and taking the FOCCUS premarital inventory is also needed this early. The April FOCCUS will be April 26th. Natural Family Planning Classes are offered by the Bismarck Diocese. The methods offered are Billings Ovulation Method, Creighton Model Fertility Care System, Marquette Model and Sympto-Thermal Methods. If you have questions about NFP please contact the Diocese of Bismarck at 222-3035 or www.bismarckdiocese.com/nfp. Persons wishing to learn more about the Catholic faith may call Tracy Kraft at 255-4600.

EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD APRIL 1, 2018CONTRIBUTIONS (GENERAL FUND) - (2,278 households)Adult Envelopes (449) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,466.08Youth Envelopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 379.42 TOTAL RECEIVED (March 25) . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,845.50 1st Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $23,989 .09 Electronic Contributions (146) . . . . . . . . . .$14,117 .68

2nd Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,091 .213rd Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $17,333 .91 Electronic Contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 9,244 .68 Spanish Mass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 154 .00 4th Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20,845 .50

We appreciate your generosity which is part of being faithful stewards of Corpus Christi.

Weekly Mass Intentions

Monday, Apr. 2- VHelen Eberle (12:10 p .m .)Tuesday, Apr. 3- VMartin Stroh (12:10 p .m .)

VJames Miller (5:30 p .m .)Wednesday, Apr. 4- Special Intentions (7:00 a .m .)

VElizabeth Wald (12:10 p .m .)Thursday, Apr. 5- VBetty Stroh (7:00 a .m .)

VFred Kraft (12:10 p .m .)Friday, Apr. 6- VKen Stroh (7:00 a .m .)

Phyllis Lentz (12:10 p .m .) Saturday, Apr. 7- VRyan Schaner (4:00 p .m .)Sunday, Apr. 8- V Leona Werlinger (8:30 a .m .)

VAnton Glatt (6:30 p .m .)

Stewardship Thoughts: Jesus asks us to commit ourselves to be good stewards of the gifts entrusted to us, to share our time, our talent and our treasure as an outward sign of the love and gratitude we have for Him.Vocation Views: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad!" This day changes everything. The power of sin and death are broken, live in the freedom that comes solely in Christ. (Psalm 118)

Marriage Moments: Easter: Lent is over, Alleluia! Yes, you can go back to eating sweets if that's what you gave up, BUT, don't go back to taking your "sweetie" for granted. Can you each treat the other to some favor today? Looking for the opportunity is half of the favor.Parenting Pointers: "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them." (John 20:23) Confession need not be limited to a priest in the confessional. Confess a mistake you've made to your child. Is there anyone they have hurt and can ask forgiveness from? Especially consider siblings. (Susan Vogt....www.SusanVogt.net)

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION. Tuesdays 12:45-3:15 p.m. (private, quiet time, incense free) with the chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3:00 p.m. All are welcome to spend time in Jesus’ awesome Eucharistic presence. Eucharistic Adoration (Benediction, rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy) is also available Thursdays with Father Terry from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

LENTEN ALMSGIVING 2018Thank You for your generous donations to the food pantry. Since January 1st we have served 527 families and distributed 17,249 pounds of food for the needy in the Bismarck-Mandan area.

There will be no 5:30 p.m. mass April 10th due to the Spring Clergy Conference. The rest of the daily mass schedule will

stay the same.

OPERATION RICE BOWLWe prayed, fasted and gave alms - now we celebrate Easter joy! Our lenten journey with CRS Rice Bowl ends as we encounter our Risen Lord. We reflect on our brothers and sisters we have walked with, and we commit to bringing Easter Joy to each person we meet in our daily lives. Don't forget to turn in your CRS Rice Bowl this weekend. There are baskets placed at the entrances of the church for your convenience.

Address/Phone ChangesIf you have moved and changed your mailing address or phone number, please contact the office so we can update our records.

CHURCH OF CORPUS CHRISTI BISMARCK, NDWhat’s Going on Here This Week

Tues. 4/03 Quilting, 9:00 a.m., Community Room Eucharistic Adoration, 12:45-3:15 p.m., Chapel Wed. 4/04 Men's Spirituality Breakfast, 7:00 a.m., Parish Hall Faith Formation (B), 3:30-5:00 p.m. Children's Choir, 4:30 p.m., Choir Room Faith Formation (B), 6:00-7:30 p.m. Confirmation (3), 6:30 p.m., Conference Room Pre-Confirmation (2), 7:00 p.m., Community Room Middle School Faith Formation, 7:00 p.m., Parish Hall Confirmation (4), 7:30 p.m., Conference Room Thurs. 4/05 Toastmasters, 6:30 a.m., Community Room Afternoon at the Movies, 1:00 p.m., Community Room Bell Choir Practice, 5:30 p.m., Choir Room Eucharistic Adoration, 7:00-8:00 p.m., Chapel

Sat. 4/07 Spanish Ministry Rosary, 6:00 p.m., Chapel Hispanic Prayer Group, 6:30 p.m., Hospitality Room Sun. 4/08 Faith Formation, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Faith Formation 9:40-10:40 a.m. Children's Liturgy, 10:45 a.m., Community Room

UPCOMING EVENTSSteubenville in Rochester, MN

July 12th-15th

Vacation Bible School 2018May 30th - June 1st

MEN’S SPIRITUALITY BREAKFASTAll men of the parish are invited to come on Wednesday, April 4th at 7:00 a.m. to have breakfast (served at NO charge), grow in spirituality, and listen to Fr. Paul before you begin your busy day.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

2018Rescued by GOD

Venture onto an uncharted island

where kids survive and thrive. Anchor Kids in the truth that God carries them through life's storms.

MAY 30TH - JUNE 1ST

Wednesday & Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.Friday: 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

(We will conclude with Mass and lunch for the whole family on Friday beginning at 12:00 p.m.)

Who is it for?Children Preschool - Grade 5Crew leaders (young people

who have completed 5th grades) and Adult leaders

are needed to facilitate the activites.

Registration forms are on our parish website and downstairs in our lower gathering space.

Online registration will be available starting April 2nd.

*** Cost is $40 per child, which includes crafts, lunches, and snacks.

*** The children of Adult volunteers get to attend for

free!

September Spanish MassSunday, April 15

1:00 p.m.

88 Corpus Christi children will be making their first communion April 14-15 and 21-22. Please keep these children in your prayers.

Your stepping stones back into life...SOS (Sounds of Silence) is a suicide support group which provides compassionate support and grief education with the hope that family members and friends will find guidance on the path of healing. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 3rd, at 7:00 p.m. at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway. The topic will be "Dealing with our fears."

Welcome! Thank you for choosing to worship with us today and we hope you will return often. If you do not belong to a parish, please consider choosing Corpus Christi as your church home. You may call the parish office at 255-4600 to register.

Can you help? The blank spaces mean we need more help in that ministry.Please come to the ushers room and sign in on the schedule to help. Thank You.

The Holy Father Speaks...The Paschal Triduum, or "three days", begins with the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Thursday evening and ends on Easter Sunday. Christians are called to live the mystery of Jesus' death and resurrection as "the matrix of their personal and communitarian lives". The climax of the Church's liturgical year is proclaimed at Mass on Easter Sunday in the Sequence: "Christ, my hope, is arisen; into Galilee he will go before his own." This is both a proclamation of joy and home and an appeal to responsibility and mission. The triduum prepares us to receive this proclamation: "It is the center of our faith and our hope, it is the kerygma, which continuously evangelizes the Church, which in turn is sent out to evangelize." The Paschal Triduum renews baptized Christians in the meaning of their new condition. In baptism we are raised with Jesus and we die to the things and logic of this world. This new condition must be lived out concretely day by day. A Christian - if they truly let themselves be washed by Christ and stripped by him of 'the old man' to walk in newness of life - even though they remain a sinner, cannot be corrupted. The Christian can live no more with death in their soul, nor can they be a cause of death. The world becomes the space to live our newly resurrrected lives. We are called to do this, on our feet, with our head held high. Thus, can we share the humiliation of those who today, like Jesus, still suffer nakedness, need, loneliness, and death. It is thanks to Jesus and with Him that we become instruments of redemption and hope, as well as signs of life and resurrection. All Christians are invited to live well the Holy Triduum and to be ever more inserted into the mystery of Christ's death and resurrection. May the Virgin Mary accompany us on this spiritual journey, she who followed Jesus in his passion, was present with Him under the Cross, and received in her mother's heart the joy of the resurrection.

Date: Apr 7-8 April 7, 2018 April 8, 2018 April 8, 2018 April 8, 20184:00 PM 8:30 AM 10:45 AM 6:30 PM

Hospitality 1 Mary Ann Grossman 1 Helen Dauenhauer 1 Bonnie Kisch 1 2 Evelyn Spangler 2 2 Stella Schiele 2 3 3 3 Lucille Shea 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 56 6 6

Ushers 1 Helen Berger* 1 John Novak 1 Nancy Haunz* 1 Tim Rivinius

2 Michael Kordonowy 2 John Saiki 2 Chuck Holzer 2 Karen Selensky3 Derek Theurer 3 George Simek 3 Bernie Holzer 3 Vince Selensky4 Ron Hopfauf 4 Pius Ternes 4 Dennis Mastel 45 5 Bob Dauenhauer 5 56 6 6

Lectors 1 Joyce Hinman 1 John Saiki 1 Joyal Meyer 1 Michael Schaff

2 Nikki Ferderer 2 2 Albert Wolf 2 Annie Paulson

Servers 1 Noah Weber 1 Kylie Packowski 1 Charlie Holzer 1 Mikayla Brackin2 2 2 Taylor Howell 2 Zachary Brackin

Eucharistic Min BODY OF CHRIST BODY OF CHRIST BODY OF CHRIST BODY OF CHRIST

R-1 Carol Thompson R-1 William Knudson R-1 Gary Feist R-1 Maureen Vosberg2 Clyde Thompson 2 Helen Dauenhauer 2 Matt Kraft 2 Myles Vosberg3 Darrell Pladson 3 Jim Janusz 3 Karen Stahl 3 Moni Krantz4 Phyllis Lentz 4 Amy McKay 4 Vicki Wetzel 45 Lorraine Hoffman 5 Kermit Herner 5 Corrine Scholl 56 Sharlene Pulver 6 Teddie Herner 6 Mary Siverson 6 7 7 Kathy Knudson 7 Kim Wetzel 7 Father Terry8 8 Helen Werlinger 8 Phyllis Lentz 89 Father Paul 9 Father Raphael 9 Father Paul10 10 1011 1112 12LG LG LG LG

BLOOD OF CHRIST BLOOD OF CHRIST BLOOD OF CHRIST BLOOD OF CHRIST

1 Bob Clooten 1 Gerard Mathern 1 Cora Buchholz 1 Tim Bohan2 Sandy Wald-Clooten 2 Pamela Mathern 2 Laverne Kaufman 2 Pat Herbel3 3 Emerita Loeb 3 Rick Kaufman 34 4 Anna Rathbun 4 Mary LaDuke 45 5 Jerome Werlinger 5 Steve Mittelsteadt 56 6 Charlie Volk 6 Kathy Zahn 6 7 Deacon 7 Deacon 7 Deacon 7 Deacon8 8 8 Raymond Zink 89 9 910 10 1011 1112 12

THANK YOU!!Thank you for your great respect and attention to our signs that indicate

where we should park so emergency vehicles can access the Church. And again thank you to all of you, for respecting our neighbors and not

blocking their driveways.

St. Mary’s Cemetery Clean Up: With the arrival of spring, we will begin our spring cleaning at the cemetery. Over the winter, there have been many things placed on the graves. The rules at the cemetery state all things placed on graves except one week before and after Memorial Day must be in a vase attached to the headstone base or to the headstone itself. This includes solar lights, etc. We will be removing all items after April 15th that do not meet this criteria so we can complete our spring cleanup. If you have any questions, please call Deacon Rex McDowall, cemetery manager at 701-426-2097 or email mcdowall@midco.net.

Afternoon at the MoviesJoin us for popcorn and the movie "Restless Heart" - a story of St. Augustine, St. Monica and St. Ambrose on Thursday, April 5th from 1:00-3:30 p.m. in the Community room. All are welcome! Invite a friend to join you. If you have any questions, call Cindy in the parish office at 701-255-4600.

Filmed in Europe, this first full-length feature movie on Augustine uses a historic backdrop to tell the true story of one of the Church's most beloved and well-known saints. Its message of sin, conversion, and redemption is as timely today as it was in the fifth century. Alongside Augustine, the stories of two other great saints, Monica and Ambrose, are also portrayed.

"The Wedding at Cana"Corpus Christi Women's Group

All women are invited to attend the Prepare, Care, Share and Prayer women's group on Thursday, April 12th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Community Room. We will view and discuss the video, "The Wedding at Cana" from Edward Sri's, "Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother."Come and meet other Catholic women and explore your faith with this welcoming group of women. Please feel free to invite a friend. For questions, please contact Cindy in the parish office at 701-255-4600.

SPRING RCIA SESSION(Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)

Do you want to learn more about your Catholic faith? Are you interested in joining the Catholic Church? Were you baptized Catholic, but didn’t receive the Sacraments of Eucharist, Reconciliation and/or Confirmation? This spring, our parish is offering a “Fast Track” Seminar which is specifically geared toward individuals who have a basic understanding of the Catholic Faith and would like to explore the possibility of making a formal commitment to the Church. The first session will be Sunday, May 6 at 5:00 p.m. We will meet from 5:00-6:15 p.m. and continue from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., with 6:30 p.m. Mass in between the two sessions. We will meet over the course of six weeks and celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for those that are ready over the summer. For more information or to register for these sessions, please contact Tracy in the parish office at 255-4600.

Sunday, Apr 01, 2018SOLEMNITY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD (EASTER SUNDAY)This is the dayEaster isn’t a footrace, as the first disciples demonstrate. Itdoesn’t matter when you come to faith, whether you werebaptized as an infant or just last night. You don’t win points forwhat you understand at the mouth of the empty tomb, whetheryou’ve studied 20 centuries of dogma about it or just rely on a gutfeeling that this event changes everything. Mary Magdalene,Peter, and the beloved disciple each perceive the tomb and itssignificance from different angles—yet they all spend their livesas witnesses. Go and live like Easter makes a difference!

TODAY'S READINGS: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Colossians 3:1-4 or 1Corinthians 5:6b-8; John 20:1-9 or Mark 16:1-7 (42, 41) or, at anafternoon or evening Mass, Luke 24:13-35 (46). “This is the day theLord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.”

Monday, Apr 02, 2018MONDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTERTime stands stillA young monk chided his novice master for having prayed at theEaster Monday Mass, “On this Easter day . . .” “Certainly, youshould have sung ‘in this Easter season,’ ” the novice explained.“After all, Easter is over.” The wise older priest pointed out—much more gently than deserved—that Easter Day itself lastseight days, a full week, and only then do we move into the Easterseason. Like the obliteration of the reign of death that Easter is,time itself is set on its head. Like the wedding day that, in manycultures, is simply too overflowing with joy to be contained in asingle 24 hours, the spirit of hope that is Easter will not beconfined. May it rise in your heart this Easter Day!

TODAY'S READINGS: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Matthew 28:8-15 (261). “ThisJesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.”

Tuesday, Apr 03, 2018TUESDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTERA place in the heartSometimes, in the least suspecting places, we can find miracles.For Mary Magdalene it was a tomb where she had gone to weepand grieve the death of Jesus. But instead she found life. Sheexperienced the risen Jesus and became the first person toproclaim that to the world. Somehow in the midst of her grief andsense of loss, Mary left a tiny space for hope that allowed her torecognize the voice of Jesus as he called her name. Thepossibility for miracles great and small is with us every day. Leaveopen a space within your heart—you just may hear your namebeing called.

TODAY'S READINGS: Acts 2:36-41; John 20:11-18 (262). “MaryMagdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen theLord.’ ”

Wednesday, Apr 04, 2018WEDNESDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTERWhat do you expect?The disciples walking the road to Emmaus after Jesus’ deathwere disappointed—they had expected from him something otherthan what they saw, and they assumed his mission had failed withhis death. There is a lesson in that, taught by Jesus later in thesame story when he breaks the bread and opens their eyes: Ourexpectations can blind us to the blessings right in front of us.

Keep your expectations in check and you might find all you couldever hope for, and much more, right in front of your eyes.

TODAY'S READINGS: Acts 3:1-10; Luke 24:13-35 (263). “We hadhoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.”

Thursday, Apr 05, 2018THURSDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTERBe braveThe Acts of the Apostles, which we read throughout the seasonof Easter, is a riveting account of faith, courage, healings,conversions, and a miraculous escape from prison. It is the storyof how God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, intervened inthe lives of Jesus’ disciples to ensure the spread of his wordthroughout the world. The courage of the first followers of Jesusis truly inspirational. Take some time to read Acts this month.Then consider: “In what ways is God inviting me to live morecourageously? What is keeping me from responding to thatinvitation?”

TODAY'S READINGS: Acts 3:11-26; Luke 24:35-48 (264). “To this weare witnesses.”

Friday, Apr 06, 2018FRIDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTERBreakfast anyone?Meeting friends for breakfast is such a delight. There’s somethingabout the morning meal together that makes life feel good. Thestory of the risen Jesus inviting his friends to breakfast strikes thatfamiliar note of unity and peace. Yet the disciples named in thestory were all characters that had crossed Jesus in one way oranother: Peter the denier, Thomas the doubter, Nathanael thecynic, and the Zebedee brothers, who persisted in their childishsibling rivalry. The morning repast was a reconciliation service—and a nice way to start the day. Let that same spirit of unity andreconciliation begin your day today.

TODAY'S READINGS: Acts 4:1-12; John 21:1-14 (265). “When theyhad gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, andbread.”

Saturday, Apr 07, 2018SATURDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTERDo the right thingSometimes you have to do what’s right even in the face ofopposition. Whether it’s no reward at best or open hostility atworst, the world around you doesn’t always approve of what youknow to be the best thing. The apostles ran into the same problem—in fact, they were on both sides of it. When the religiousauthorities ordered them not to speak or teach in Jesus’ name,they refused to obey. On the other hand, when Mary Magadalenecame to some of these same disciples with news of the risenJesus, they did not believe her. Of course it’s unwise to alwaysreject what others think of you. But when faced with a difficultsituation, ask God for the wisdom and the strength to do what isright and good.

TODAY'S READINGS: Acts 4:13-21; Mark 16:9-15 (266). “Whether itis right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you mustjudge.”

Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen and grow—a day at a time©2018 TrueQuest Communications. TakeFiveForFaith.com; mail@takefiveforfaith.com. All rights reserved. Noncommercial reprints permittedwith the following credit: Reprinted with permission from TakeFiveForFaith.com. Scripture citations from the New American Bible RevisedEdition. For more information about TAKE FIVE and our regular contributors, go to PrepareTheWord.com. Free daily email and appavailable online at TakeFiveForFaith.com/subscribe.

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Begin a new life after Easter

Why do Catholics offer the sign of peace?

Discovering hope and joy in the Catholic faith. April 2018

During the Mass, we offer the Sign of Peace in preparation for receiving Communion. After his Resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples in the Upper Room. Although his friends had abandoned him, Jesus

forgave them, saying: “Peace be with you”

(John 20:19). When we offer each other the Sign of

Peace, we imitate Christ. The Sign of Peace is also a sign of

spiritual unity. Just as Jesus reconciled with his disciples, we are called to reconcile with each other.

The promise of the Resurrection is that faithful followers of Jesus will have new life. Whether we had a fruitful Lent or were lukewarm in our resolve, we can begin now to become new creations. Make an examination. Call on the Holy Spirit to reveal what is keeping you from becoming the person God intends. Make an examination of your life as you live it. Look at your prayer life, your sacramental life, your dedication to spiritual growth. Do you share your faith? Do you serve others with love? Face the truth with courage. It can be discouraging to look honestly at our

many faults. Remember, though, that God understands we aren’t perfect. He asks us to act with integrity and

relentlessly �ght against sin. Being a sinner is not the worst

condition – remaining one is. Devise a plan. Decide what needs to change and make a plan. Write it down and commit to it. Sometimes making a brave life change entails leaving bad company behind. Often it means changing entrenched habits. Change may be uncomfortable but growth can’t happen without it.

Take the �rst steps. New life comes through God. Entrust your plan for change to him. Spend at least 15 minutes a day in prayer, asking for inspiration and strength. Then take the �rst steps toward new life.

St. Gianna Beretta Molla Born into a large Catholic family in

Italy, St. Gianna studied medicine and became a physician. She opened a medical practice in Mesero, where she met her husband. The pregnancy and birth of their fourth child was very dif�cult, but Gianna was willing to risk her life for the life of the child. St. Gianna gave birth to a baby girl and died a week later. She is the patroness of mothers, physicians, and unborn children.

No guesswork involved Followers of Christ never have to rely on guesswork to decide what is right. We have a perfect example for our daily lives in Jesus. And to guide us, he gave us the Catholic Church.

“A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your �esh the heart of stone and give you a heart of �esh” (Ezekiel

36:26).

April 2018 Page 2

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© Copyright 2018 Success Publishing & Media, LLC

Jesus’ Resurrection – the most important event in human history – is how we know that what he said and did

while on Earth is

true and his promises to

us are trustworthy. During his public ministry, Jesus spoke and acted as God. He promised that if we follow him, we will have eternal life. Either he was God and had the power to make it true, or he was a mere man claiming to be someone he wasn’t. That Jesus rose from the dead – a fact veri�ed by more than 500 eyewitness accounts – means that his word can be trusted. He warned of the speci�cs of his own death, predicted his Resurrection, and proved that he really is God. Therefore, his promises of eternal life are real, too. The Resurrection gives us hope. “By his death, Christ liberates us from sin; by his Resurrection, he opens for us the way to a new life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #654). All those who die in God’s friendship will live with him forever.

April 3 – St. Richard of Chichester (1253). Born in England, St. Richard studied law at Bologna. Known for his holiness and administrative skills, he was named archbishop of Chichester, but King Henry III refused to let him rule until the pope threatened the king with excommunication. Even as an archbishop, St. Richard lived a humble life. He died in Dover while preaching a crusade. April 8 – Divine Mercy Sunday (1935). In 1931, Jesus appeared to St. Faustina and asked that the Sunday after Easter become the “Feast of

Mercy.” Jesus promised anyone who honors him as King of Mercy and prays the Chaplet of Divine Mercy – the prayer he gave St. Faustina – would receive special graces and great mercy. April 25 – St. Mark the Evangelist (1st Century). St. Mark wrote the second Gospel largely based on St. Peter’s perspective. Mark accompanied Saints Paul and Barnabas (Mark’s cousin) on their missionary journey through the island of Cyprus and is credited with founding the Church of Alexandria.

Daily prayer, weekly Mass attendance, and regular Confession form the foundation for a solid Catholic life. Yet, discipleship calls us to more. Discipleship moves us to make a “conscious, �rm decision, carried out in action, to be followers of Jesus Christ no matter the cost” to ourselves (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops). A conscious decision. Disciples consciously resolve to follow Jesus with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. This governing resolution – renewed every day – controls all other decisions in a disciple’s life.

Demonstrated by action. Our discipleship is visible to others by our devotion to the Church and by the good works

we perform. Our charitable actions are offered in obedience to Jesus’ example – and instructions – in the New Testament. The Church suggests the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy as guidelines.

Despite the cost. “So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple”

(Luke 14:33). To be Christian isn’t always comfortable. Yet, disciples persist out of love, no matter the cost.

John 15:1-8, Stay faithful to Christ

Catholic disciples are called to more

What doesthe Resurrection mean for us?

This Gospel comes from Jesus’ Last Supper Discourse, a kind of farewell speech for his disciples. Jesus told his disciples – and us – that without him, we can do nothing. He used a familiar image to explain. A grapevine has a main stem and smaller branches growing from it. Just as the main stem is the source of life for the branches, so Jesus is the source of spiritual life for us. We received this life when we were “grafted onto” Jesus in Baptism. We preserve this life by taking his words seriously and

striving to live by them. Then our hearts will become like his. When

we pray in Jesus’ name, we can trust that God will

answer our prayers. There is a “catch” to following Jesus, though. Just as the

branches on a grapevine are pruned – cut short – to

bear fruit, we will encounter dif�culties and even

persecution. Yet, Jesus reminds us that if we remain faithful to him, this pruning will work for our good and God’s glory. Then we’ll become the saints we were called to be.