Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

April 17, 2022 To him all the prophets bear witness,

that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.

— Acts 10:43

ALTAR WORKERS FLOWER GUILD April 22: Evelyn Fairbanks April 23: Easter Lilies

PARISH INCOME LAST WEEKEND Weekly amount anticipated to meet budget Amount received last weekend WeeklyEnvelopes: $14,003.37 $11,794.00 (146) Loose Contributions: $347.00 $758.60

Special Collections:

Saturday Vigil April 23, 2022 5:00 p.m. Vigil St. Mary Basilica

Sunday Mass April 24, 2022 10:00 a.m. Divine Mercy Sunday St. Mary Basilica

Lectors: Bernita Dunbar, Judy Bartley Eucharistic Ministers: Melinda Laird, Jean Biglane Greeters: Patricia Cavin, Becky Junkin Ushers: Freddie Biglane, Paul Burns, Kot Morris, Philip Zuccaro Servers: Jack Aubic, Thomas McKnight Sacristan: Philip Zuccaro

Lectors: Melissa Vaughan, Susan Marlow Eucharistic Ministers: Laura Laird, Betty Lou Hicks Greeters: Angie Waller, Michelle Kaiser Ushers: Walt Brown, Dallas Morris, Mark McCann, Gabe Cassagne Servers: Joey Gunning, Thane Aldridge, S.K. Cauthen Sacristan: Gabe Cassagne

PRIESTLY POINTS From an Easter homily by Saint Melito of Sardis, Bishop

The Easter Praise of Christ

We should understand, beloved, that the paschal mystery is at once old and new, transitory and eternal, corruptible and incorruptible, mortal and immortal. In terms of the Law it is old, in terms of the Word it is new. In its figure it is passing, in its grace it is eternal. It is corruptible in the sacrifice of the lamb, incorruptible in the eternal life of the Lord. It is mortal in his burial in the earth, immortal in his resurrection from the dead.

The Law indeed is old, but the Word is new. The type is transitory, but grace is eternal. The lamb was corruptible, but the Lord is incorruptible. He was slain as a lamb; he rose again as God. He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, yet he was not a sheep. He was silent as a lamb, yet he was not a lamb. The type has passed away; the reality has come. The lamb gives place to God, the sheep gives place to a man, and the man is Christ, who fills the whole of creation. The sacrifice of the lamb, the celebration of the Passover, and the prescriptions of the Law have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Under the old Law, and still more under the new dispensation, everything pointed toward him.

Both the Law and the Word came forth from Zion and Jerusalem, but now the Law has given place to the Word, the old to the new. The commandment has become grace, the type a reality. The lamb has become a Son, the sheep a man, and man, God.

The Lord, though he was God, became man. He suffered for the sake of those who suffer, he was bound for those in bonds, condemned for the guilty, buried for those who lie in the grave; but he rose from the dead, and cried aloud: Who will contend with me? Let him confront me. I have freed the condemned, brought the dead back to life, raised men from their graves. Who has anything to say against me? I, he said, am the Christ; I have destroyed death, triumphed over the enemy, trampled hell underfoot, bound the strong one, and taken men up to the heights of heaven: I am the Christ.

Come, then, all you nations of men, receive forgiveness for the sins that defile you. I am your forgiveness. I am the

Passover that brings salvation. I am the lamb who was immolated for you. I am your ransom, your life, your resurrection,

your light, I am your salvation and your king. I will bring you to the heights of heaven. With my own right hand I will

raise you up, and I will show you the eternal Father.

The following friends and members of our parish need our prayers. Please add these names to your prayer list. Contact the church office at 601-445-5616 to have names added to the prayer list. Names will be removed after four weeks.

Orvis Marlow John Barnett Ken Beesley, Sr. Johnnie and David Galer Darrell Smith Clint and Elizabeth Smith George and Anita Souderes Gayle Anders Margaret Cooley Charles Garrity Carolyn Krueger Selah Willard Ray Olivero Todd Welch Mark Welch Stan Burkley Chip McIntyre Virginia S. Harrigan Ricky Brown Rosa Lee Eidt ************** Barron Black Cole Doughty Daniel Miller Phillip Mardis Betty White Edna Rose Bellan John Holleman Rita Tebbetts Ben Sandel Fred Salvo Mary Estelle Sanguinetti Deana M. Ferguson

Dane P. Mallette Dorothy Garrity Terry Griffey Camella Richardson Mary Eidt Danny O’Beirne Mark Taunton Jeanne Eschete Gernon Lillie Ann Whittington Ellie Brunson Cameron Whittington Tia Ferguson Freddie Baker *************** Charlene Rushing Pete Cantu Dennis McDaniel Erin Myers Paisley Mardis Dennis Christian Elsie Evans Delphine Prestridge Fr. David O’Connor Ed Eidt Butch Brown Jolene Ortego David Burns Jim and Dot Bright Walter Caldwell Paul Zuccaro Rusty Moak Patricia Clark Brett Ashley Anna Jo Sasser

Roy King, Jr. Brian Greer Joy Greer Buddy Frank Trisha Spence Judy Uzzetta *************** Jack and Doris Kerwin Brian Warren Mary Gunning Ben Butler Loveta Byrne Sissy Eidt Browning Sonny Vance Walter Maier Pat Dale Ron Gaude Peyton Murphy Mimi Sandel Murphy Dickie Butler Stella Golden Lucille Golden Midge Billingsley Yolanda D’Aquilla Glenn Kidder David Williams Carolyn Fish Vickie Stowers Jim Willard Kellie Dallalio Hughes Bill Richardson Lashaunda Spiller

PRAYERS FOR MILITARY and LAW ENFORCEMENT

We pray for those listed below who serve in the military or in law enforcement at this time. Contact the church office to have names added.

Ashley Bennett Tyler Wheeler Andrell Hardy Delayne Bush Lee Best Josh Jackson Casey Snyder Ben Long Martin Latimer Fr. Anthony Okwum

Brandan Bordelon Christopher Shaidnagle Marcus Estes Aaron Moore Matthew Henderson Matthew Voss Xander Miller Nathan Latimer

Mike Chapman Travis Patten Josh Gamberi Conner Burns Luke Eidt Brian Hughes Albert J. Hughes, Sr. Frank Smith Priester Byrne

TAI CHI CLASS

*QiGONG / TAI-CHI CAO for Seniors or anyone is offered every Wednesday from 9:00-10:00 a.m. in the O’Connor Family Life Center Youth Wing. Chairs are available.

PLEASE JOIN US!

LINE DANCING AT ST. MARY FLC Line dancing is now offered at the Family Life Center (Youth Wing) from 9:00-10:00 a.m. every Monday. Everyone is invited!

NOTE: No class Easter Monday, April 18, 2022.

Exposition / Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held every Monday immediately following the 12:05 p.m. Mass. Adoration concludes at 5:20 pm with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Come to a quiet place and spend an hour with Jesus. During Eucharistic Adoration hours, someone must be in the church at all times. The

Blessed Sacrament can never be left unattended!

ONLINE GIVING We encourage you to consider online giving for your future contributions. Convenient for you … less work for our staff. Please visit our website [stmarybasilica.org] or scan the QR image here with your phone camera to give a secure gift to our parish. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact us at the church office or email bookkeeper@stmarybasilica.org

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS DURING HOLY WEEK The St. Mary Basilica and Assumption of the BVM Church offices will be closed Easter Monday, April 18, 2022. The offices will reopen Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at the usual time.

Fr. Mark Shoffner and the staffs of both churches wish everyone a very joyous and blessed Easter.

SIGN UP FOR FLOCKNOTE Flocknote is one of our most important means of parish communication. Messages are sent to you from your church by text or

email. If you have not yet signed up, please consider doing so. We urge all adult members of your household to individually join. You can call Regina in the church office and she can sign you up for Flocknote—all you need to give her is your phone number and your email. Be sure you are in the know!

RCIA meets on Thursday evenings in the O’Connor Family Life Center, 613 Main St. Everyone is welcome. 6:00—7:30 p.m. RCIA light supper and a weekly presentation by an instructor followed by questions, answers, and discussions.

Masks / Social Distancing are encouraged. Babysitting is available. Please join us!

Period of Mystagogy: Celebrating the Gift Mystagogy comes from Greek and refers to the profound and joyous “mystery” of living life fully aware that Jesus is Lord. April 21 Pot Luck Dinner Celebration / Priest, Prophet and King April 28 New Life as a Catholic: Personal Prayer May 5 New Life as a Catholic: Prayer, Rituals May 12 New Life as a Catholic: Forming a Conscience: Decisions and Discernment May 19 New Life as a Catholic: Works of Mercy **May 25 Wednesday New Life as a Catholic: An Active Part in Parish Life (after the May Wednesday Night Dinner)

UPCOMING 2022 IRELAND TRIP WITH FATHER O’CONNOR

IRELAND: September 7 - 15, 2022 Beauty and culture around every corner on this 8 night Wild Atlantic Tour of Ireland. With its leisurely pace of 4 nights Galway, 3 nights Donegal, ending in a beautiful castle, this tour is a true gem. For more information visit https://caragrouptravel.com/tour-of-ireland-with-father-o-connor-2022/

Are You Receiving The Catholic Newspaper? Please call or email Regina in the church office if you have not been receiving Mississippi Catholic for the

last few months or the last few years! We have discovered this past week that several families are not receiving their newspaper. Please let us know if you are not. Thanks.

PRIESTLY ORDINATION OF ANDREW BOWDEN

Deacon Andrew Bowden will be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Jackson at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson, MS on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. Everyone is invited to his ordination. He interned at St. Mary Basilica from June-October of 2021.

Our parish sends its congratulations!

"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song." —Pope John Paul II

SYMPATHY We extend our sympathy to Angela Gibson and family on the death of her mother Leah Ann Bedson on April 12, 2022.

May God be with this family in its time of grief, and may He grant Leah eternal rest and peace.

THREE SIZES OF HANDMADE CROSSES AVAILABLE FOR SALE

Master craftsman Walter Maier has made three different size batches of beautiful crosses using portions of wood from the original cypress floors of St. Mary Basilica (c.1837). The original crosses are approximately 19 inches tall. Each one is unique and sells for $40. Walter has also made 9-inch crosses ($25) and 6-inch crosses ($20). All are available in the church offices as long as they last.

These crosses will make perfect gifts for Confirmation and First Communion students and for those going through RCIA.

FAREWELL TO FATHER MARK; HELLO TO FATHER AARON!

Bishop Joseph Kopacz has appointed Father Aaron Williams as pastor of St. Mary Basilica and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church as well as administrating to Cathedral Catholic School. He is currently serving as Parochial Vicar in Meridian, MS, at St. Joseph Catholic Church and St. Patrick Catholic Church. He will move to Natchez the week of May 9, 2022. We welcome Father Aaron to Natchez and pray that God blesses him as he leads St. Mary, Assumption and Cathedral School. Fr. Mark Shoffner will be leaving Natchez and has been appointed pastor of St. John the

Evangelist Catholic Church in Oxford, MS, near the Ole Miss campus. Fr. Mark’s last weekend in Natchez will be May 7 and 8, 2022. He will return to St. Mary for Baccalaureate Mass and Cathedral School graduation. We thank Fr. Mark for his dedication and service to St. Mary, Assumption and Cathedral School for the last three years. He will be missed, and we wish him God’s blessings and true happiness as he begins this new assignment in Oxford.

BISHOP GEROW’S PONTIFICAL SLIPPERS (aka Liturgical Sandals) White satin shoes known as sandals were mandated to be worn in years past by bishops and archbishops for the celebration of Pontifi-cal Masses and other ceremonial functions. Bishop Gerow would have acquired his liturgical sandals when he was ordained a bishop in 1924. They are pictured here and are kept in the Archives in the Rectory. —Submitted by Gigi Johnson, SMB Archives

FROM THE ARCHIVES . . .

ECHO WITH BISHOP DONALD HYING

ECHO is a series of short and engaging videos that introduces fundamental Catholic teachings and provides an inspiring start to personal growth in the Faith. This beautiful work of cinematography is hosted by Bishop Donald Hying of Gary, Indiana.

FORMED

PICK OF THE WEEK

SIGN UP FOR FREE AT FORMED.ORG/SIGNUP Call Ruth at the rectory 601-445-5616 with questions.

SAVE THE DATE!!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER APRIL 20, 2022 5:30 p.m.

FAMILY LIFE CENTER

MENU Jambalaya

Bread Green Salad

Dessert

COST Adult $5.00 Senior $4.00 Student $3.00 Under 3 No charge Family Maximum $20.00

Bishop’s Listening Session Tuesday, April 19!!

Bishop Kopacz’s listening session for the Synod on Synodality that was scheduled for Wednesday, March 30, has been rescheduled for

April 19, 2022 in the Family Life Center from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Par ticipants from par ishes throughout southwest Mississippi are invited to attend this session.

In this regional session on April 19, Bishop Kopacz will be seeking concrete ways to advance the ideas gathered from the local sessions held in February.

Please mark your calendars now so that you can participate in this Synod listening session.

St. Mary’s Kids Earth Day Event for Pre-K 3 through 2nd grade

“Planting a Mary Garden”

At the Prayer Garden on the corner of Main Street and Rankin Street (weather permitting)

Wednesday, April 20, 2022, following our Parish Dinner! Mary Gardens were a very popular type of prayer garden throughout the Late Middle Ages and into the Renaissance. Made to honor Blessed Virgin Mary and were centered with a statue of her, often holding the Christ Child. They were planted with flowers which had some symbolic association with Mary, like roses (symbolizing her love), lilies (symbolizing her purity or the Annunciation), marigold (literally, Mary’s gold), or various blue flowers because blue is the color usually associated with Mary. St. Mary’s Kids will have a brief prayer service thanking God for the gift of the Earth and then plant a container garden with flowers dedicated to Mary at the Basilica Prayer Garden after the Wednesday night dinner.

PRAYER FOR PEACE AND THE CESSATION OF WAR

O God, merciful and strong, who crush wars and cast down the proud, Be pleased to banish violence swiftly from our midst and to wipe away all tears, So that we may all truly deserve to be called your children.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

OUR LADY OF THE OAKS LADIES RETREAT AT GRAND COTEAU

Would you like to grow closer to God? Do you need some time away to listen to Him, to grow, to rest? Experience the natural beauty of oak trees and the beautiful setting of nature. The ladies of the Natchez area will be attending their annual three (3) day retreat December 1-4, 2022. You are invited to join us to rest in the care of the Lord in silence, solitude, deep

prayer and reflection. It is time to send

in our deposits ($50.00) to hold our rooms as they fill up so quickly. Deposits should be

sent in as soon as possible. Please contact Kot Morris at 601-334-8339.

PARISH GIFT TO DEACON ANDREW

At the request of Father Mark Shoffner of St. Mary Basilica, Walter Maier, master carpenter, built a portable altar for Deacon Andrew, who will be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Jackson, on May 14, 2022. The portable altar is made from the old wooden floors of the Basilica. The gift was presented to Deacon Andrew at the 10:00 a.m. Palm Sunday Mass from the St. Mary Basilica Parish.

BLOOD IS NEEDED! MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT.

St. Mary Basilica Spring BLOOD DRIVE TUESDAY, April 26, 2022,

Family Life Center from 12:30-6:00 p.m.

We hope that all our regular donors and many new donors will give blood on this date and help to save lives! Blood is desperately needed.

Call Regina in the church office to schedule an appointment (601-445-5616) or go online at www.vitalant.org to schedule your appointment.

SYMPATHY We extend our sympathy to the family of Eloise Hicks Smith who died on November 17, 2021. There will be a funeral Mass at St. Mary Basilica for Eloise on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. Following the Mass, burial will be at the Natchez City Cemetery. A repast in the Family Life Center will follow the burial.

May God be with her family during this time, and may He grant Eloise eternal life.

St. Mary's Vanguard [Young Adult Ministry] will host our monthly TRIVIA NIGHT for everyone in the Family Life Center at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2022!

*$5 to play * $1 soft drinks

*$5 Potato Bar *Prizes * BYOB

This month we are doing a drive for The Natchez-Adams County Humane Society. Everyone is asked to bring a monetary donation, dry dog and/or cat food, cleaning supplies, paper towels, etc.

RETURN LENTEN RICE BOWLS

We hope that many of our families have participated in the Lenten Rice Bowls. Please return your filled CRS Rice Bowls to the church if you forgot to do so during Holy Week. You may leave your rice bowls with any usher at one of the Masses or drop them by the church office. Thanks!

Divine Mercy Chaplet, an Intercessory Prayer: Jesus, I Trust in You

The message and devotion to Jesus as the Divine Mercy is based on the writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun, who in obedience of her spiritual director wrote a 600-page diary of revelations she received through visions regarding God’s Mercy. Three important points include:

Ask for Mercy: Approach God in prayer , constantly repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world. Be Merciful: Receive God’s mercy and let it flow though us to others. Jesus wants us to extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us. Completely Trust in Jesus: The Graces of God’s mercy are dependent upon this trust. The more we trust in Jesus, the more we will receive.

Saint Faustina states that Jesus promises anything compatible with his will can be obtained by praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet, particularly on Fridays at 3:00 p.m. and on Divine Mercy Sunday also at 3:00 p.m., which is the Holy Hour of the triumph of mercy when Jesus died on the cross.

Ultimately, the simple message of Divine Mercy and praying the chaplet will bring an experience of God’s mercy to oneself and in turn to others.

Our Lord, in explaining the image of his mercy, which he desired to be printed and venerated, said to Saint Faustina: The two rays denote Blood and Water…These two rays issued from the very depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the Cross. These rays shield souls from the wrath of My Father…I desire that the first Sunday after Easter be the Feast of Mercy…whoever approaches the Fount of Life on this day will be granted complete remission of sins and punishment. Mankind will not have peace until it turns with trust to My mercy.” (Diary, 299-300) —Submitted by Philip Zuccaro, St. Mary Liturgy Commission

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY APRIL 24, 2022

3:00 p.m. Exposition and the praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet with Benediction

Keep First Communicants in Your Prayers

Please keep these children and their families in your prayers as they prepare to receive this sacrament at St. Mary Basilica on Sunday, April 24, 2022, at

1:00 p.m.: Jett Noland Biglane, Gerard Francis Malloy, John Grant Gibson, John Sutton Loomis, Charlie Jaynne Anderson, Anne Lees Edwards, Kenda Marie Goldman, Gryffin Callen Long, Evelyn Marie Morris, Conor Jacob Hardy, Travis Wyatt Jex, Lola Kathleen Gibson, Elizabeth Corinne Callon, Tristan Lawrence Walton, Evangelyna Naomi Lindsay, and Mary Adelaide Milliken.

CONFIRMATION 2022

Confirmation is scheduled with Bishop Joseph Kopacz at St. Mary Basilica on Friday, May 6, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. Please pray for these students who are preparing to receive this sacrament and for their sponsors. Mrs. Carrie Lambert

is the facilitator this year.

St. Mary CANDIDATES SPONSORS Abby Rose Mire Barbara Mire Bella Milligan Rosalie Smith Chance Bertelsen Karen Verucchi Emma Ledford Natalie Schwager Graci Jane Gamberi Mia Gamberi Gracie Bradley Betsy Bradley Helen Schwager Gina Cauthen Jackson Navarro Nestor de Jesus Jacob Moore Brandon Bruscato Jordan Henry Neifa Hardy Maddie Verucchi Carolyn Verucchi Matt Kaiser Jennifer Russ Nicholas Leigh Kenny Decareaux Parker Claire Maxwell Olivia Waycaster Sarah Katherine Cauthen Karen Foley Searcy Branton Brian McGaugh

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS

St. Mary Basilica parish administrator Fr. Mark Shoffner and parishioners

welcome the following people who are receiving the sacraments of initiation at the Solemn Easter Vigil Mass this Saturday, April 16, 2022. CATECHUMENS SPONSORS Arington Jackson Cam Huff Cade Jackson Cam Huff Chet Yates Cathy Roboski

CANDIDATES SPONSORS Janice Miller Dan Miller Rivers Ater Melissa Johnson Heather Carter Will Carter Casey Reeves Josh Welch Charlie Reeves Josh Welch Avery Reeves Josh Welch Sara Williams Mattie Brown Chris Maxwell Emily Maxwell CONGRATULATIONS and WELCOME!

LITTLE WHITE BOOKS The Little White Book is designed to help us enjoy six minutes a day in prayer during the 50 days of the Easter season. This year, the book bases the meditations on various parables found in the New Testament.

The main thing is to spend some quiet time with the Lord using one of our oldest traditions of prayer called lectio divina—sacred reading. We take a short Scripture passage and simply let God speak to us through the words, guiding us to reflections that sometimes seem to come from nowhere. But they're not “from nowhere.” They’re from God.

These books are now available by the doors of the Basilica. There is no cost, but donations are welcome (drop in the black standing shrine by center doors of the church).

Second Collection: April 23-24 Catholic Home Missions The Catholic Home Missions Appeal contributions help to strengthen the Church at home. Your generosity will provide catechesis, seminarian education, lay ministry training, and other pastoral programs in needy dioceses throughout the United States. Envelopes will be in the pews.

ST. MARY YOUTH

YOU’VE BEEN LOVED!!!

Please don’t forget about our “You’ve Been Loved” fundraiser! It starts the day after Easter. This is one of our biggest fundraisers. We very much appreciate your support!! CYO (9th-12th grade) Sun., April 17 – Happy Easter! No meetings $50 DEPOSIT DUE FOR CYO SUMMER TRIP Wed., April 20 – 6-7:30 – Confirmation Meeting Fri., April 22 – Sun., April 24 – Confirmation Retreat Sun., April 24 – No CYO Wed., April 27 – 6-7:30 – Confirmation Meeting

HAPPY EASTER!! Happy Easter! Oh He is risen! He is risen indeed! Many people think that Christmas is the holiest Christian day for the faith, but au contraire. Easter is our greatest day, for it is on Easter Sunday, after Holy Thursday, the Last Supper, when Jesus instituted the Eucharist, after Good Friday and our Lord’s passion, after all is silent, somber, and empty on Holy Saturday, when Christ emerges victorious on Easter Sunday! It is through Jesus’ conquering death that we all can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

“Christians are called to believe in the logic of the resurrection of the body and not succumb to heresies that reduce it to a mere spiritual experience,” Pope Francis said. “When looking toward the future, the uncertainty about what happens after death often can lead to not understanding Christianity’s ‘logic of the future,’ which proclaims that believers will rise will rise again in body and soul like Jesus did. . . . A spiritualistic piety, a nuanced piety is much easier; but to enter into the logic of the flesh of Christ, this is difficult. And this is the logic of the day after tomorrow. We will resurrect like the risen Christ, with our own flesh,” he said. “In his homily, the pope reflected on St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, in which the apostle admonishes some of the early Christian community for saying ‘there is no resurrection of the dead.’” Pope urges Christians to believe in the ‘logic’ of the resurrection – Catholic Telegraph (thecatholictelegraph.com) “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then neither has Christ been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then empty, too, is our preaching; empty, too, your faith,” St. Paul wrote. That about sums it up. If we do not believe that Christ was raised from the dead on Easter Sunday, then we have lost the basic truth on which our faith is built upon. “The cross alone would not be able to explain our Christian faith. On the contrary, it would simply remain a tragedy, a sign of the absurdity of existence. The paschal mystery consists in the fact that the crucified Christ “was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4), as early Christian tradition affirmed. (St. Paul and the Resurrection| National Catholic Register (ncregister.com))

“The pope said that, for some, it is difficult to understand and accept the ‘logic of the future’ regarding what happens after death. The belief that, like Jesus, Christians will experience the resurrection of the body ‘is not easy. Yesterday’s logic is easy, today’s logic is easy. Tomorrow’s logic is easy: We will all die. But the logic of the day after tomorrow, that is difficult,’ he said.” The Resurrection is why there was a Cross. “The Resurrection is a fundamental fact, almost a prior given (see 1 Corinthians 15:12), the basis on which Paul was able to concisely formulate the kerygma (synthetic message) he proclaimed: He who was crucified, thereby manifesting God’s immense love for man, has risen from the dead and is alive in our midst” St. Paul and the Resurrection| National Catholic Register (ncregister.com).

“[He] is alive in our midst.” Let us all go out and remember this key phrase to our faith. Christ is with us always, and we must be his physical hands and feet in this world. Happy Easter Blessings! Carrie Lambert, Youth Minister, St. Mary Basilica

YOU’VE BEEN LOVED!! From the Monday after Easter, April 18, through Sunday, May 29th, (the entire Easter Season) the youth wish to celebrate this Season of Love - with LOVE! You can start sending in your orders to have someone “LOVED”!! Much like people being flocked – well this is a twist on that idea. Below is an order form that you can fill out and put in the collection basket. Someone will contact you with information on how you can submit your payment. NOW IS A WONDERFUL TIME TO SHOW SOMEONE YOU LOVE THEM BY ORDERING 10, 20, or more (up to 90) RED HEARTS FILLED WITH LOVE TO BE PLACED IN THEIR YARD!! They will also receive a note telling them how much they are loved. You can choose to send this gift of love anonymously or we can put your name on the note we leave.

Name of friend to be LOVED: _____

Friend’s Physical Address: (Note: Love Hearts are not allowed to be placed on public property or apartment complexes.) Special Instructions: How many Love Hearts do you want to put on your Friend’s Yard? 10 Hearts - $10 Donation 20 Hearts - $20 Donation 30 Hearts - $30 Donation Hearts - $10/pack of ten Donation Do you want your friend to know it was you who ordered the LOVE? Your Name: Your Phone: Other Info: THE YOUTH THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!

Mass INTENTION DONOR INTENTION DONOR

12:05 p.m. Mass Monday-Friday

April Monday, 18

Mamie R. Junkin (D)

Family

Tuesday, 19 Stephen Loomis (D) Family Member

Wednesday, 20 Ross Partridge (D) Emmett and Teresa Burns

Thursday, 21 Richard Pitchford (D) Family Member

Friday, 22 Allie Gaude (L) Lance and Tracy Gaude

Saturday, 23 8:00 a.m. Mass David McNamara (D)

Leonard Scott Family

5:00 p.m. Vigil Mass Mallory Rose Mahony (D)

Family

Sunday, 24 10:00 a.m. Mass People of the Parish

ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK ST. MARY BASILICA

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; Mt 28:8-15 Tuesday: Acts 2:36-41; Ps 33:4-5, 18-20, 22; Jn 20:11-18 Wednesday: Acts 3:1-10; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Lk 24: 13-35 Thursday: Acts 3:11-26; Ps 8:2, 5-9; Lk 24:35-48 Friday: Acts 4:1-12; Ps 118:1-2, 4, 22-27; Jn 21:1-14 Saturday: Acts 4:13-21; Ps 118:1, 14-21; Mk 16: 9-15 Sunday: Acts 5:12-16; Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24; Rv 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19; Jn 20:19-31

April 17 Billy Key Smith Emmett Burns Braxton Hobdy Elliottt Long Warren Jane April 18 Travis Jex Dale Jane

Parishioners, please contact the parish office if your birthday is not listed. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

April 22 Gloria Butler Amy Gamberi Mary Virginia Waycaster April 23 Janet Aubic Abby Laird Christopher Coley

April 19 Walt Brown Charlie Anderson April 20 David Cothren Jacqueline Horton April 21 Kristin Foster Van Voss

SUNDAY, April 17 EASTER SUNDAY -10:00 a.m. Mass MONDAY, April 18 Church Offices Closed -9:00-10:00 a.m. Line Dancing, FLC Youth Wing -12:05 p.m. Mass -12:35-5:20 p.m. Adoration of Blessed Sacrament -5:20 p.m. Benediction TUESDAY, April 19 -8:45 a.m. Archives, Rectory -12:05 p.m. Mass -6:00 p.m. Listening Session with Bishop Kopacz, FLC WEDNESDAY, April 20 -9:00 a.m. Tai Chi for Seniors, FLC Youth Wing -11:30 a.m. Individual Confessions -12:05 p.m. Mass -4:00 p.m. Community Services Commission, FLC -4:00 p.m. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, School -5:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Dinner followed by St. Mary Kids Mary Garden Planting -6:00 p.m. Confirmation Meeting, FLC THURSDAY, April 21 -12:05 p.m. Mass -6:00 p.m. RCIA Light Supper and Program FRIDAY, April 22 Confirmation Retreat at Chatawa --11:30 a.m. Individual Confessions -12:05 p.m. Mass SATURDAY, April 23 Confirmation Retreat at Chatawa -8:00 a.m. Mass / 2nd Collection: Catholic Home Missions -4:115-4:45 p.m. Reconciliation SUNDAY, April 24 Divine Mercy Sunday Confirmation Retreat at Chatawa -10:00 a.m. Mass / 2nd Collection: Catholic Home Missions -11:15 a.m. Lamber t Baptism -1:00 p.m. First Holy Communion Mass, Basilica -3:00 p.m. Exposition and pr aying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet with Benediction