April 5th, 2021
Alleluia!
We Are Always Easter People
“We are Easter People; let’s remember this, always” Father Aidan McAleenan often says in his homilies. This declaration implies that Easter is the most important feast for Christians.
Indeed, Easter is uniquely Christian, as it celebrates the actions that Christ took to save humanity. It is the “Pascha” or the Passover, the passing of Christ through death to life. Through baptism Christians join Christ in this passing through death to life.
Indeed, Easter is uniquely Christian, as it celebrates the actions that Christ took to save humanity. It is the “Pascha” or the Passover, the passing of Christ through death to life. Through baptism Christians join Christ in this passing through death to life.
In the Encyclopedia of Catholicism, John Melloh tells us that Easter is a “living symbol … the passage of God’s people in Christ through death to new life.” As Easter people, what does this year’s Easter mean to us? Doing Justice!
At Easter, we do not commemorate but instead symbolize, remember, and practice the dying and rising to new life. Easter is something we practice often to become a habit, which is the Christian habit, and culture. Easter people are people who have been trained, just as their Messiah, to handle death not as a destination but a means through which new life emerges.
The resurrection of Christ from death gives hope that never fails. Easter gives Christians the hope and power of transcending every situation of death. We, the Saint Charles Borromeo family and friends, within this country and at this time in human history, are no different in this empowerment.
While preparing to plan our parish’s pastoral goals, some of our pastoral councilors rightfully have been musing on our parish’s slogan which, says “we are not a place where… but a people who ….” Those ellipses are there specifically for that purpose: inviting our participation in thinking afresh about our identity – as Easter people – in relation to the changing events of time and space. As Easter people, we are already equipped to pass through the deadly events and experiences of our times.
We still live in times of deadly pandemics. In spite of the vaccines God has blessed us to discover, the deadly Covid-19 is far from over. We are still suffering the losses of this disease in the form of human lives, finances, and personal relationships that have affected Church unity.
Throughout history, humans have experienced the blessings of increased knowledge about civility, society, earth, and the universe. Yet, we still struggle to rise from the deadly cultures of injustice that keep us stuck in death or on the road to death.
Let this Easter count! Let this Easter be relevant to our current human situation. We must not only recall, remember, or commemorate dying and rising - let us actually live by “dying and rising.”
Easter is the most Christian thing to do. Let us seek to learn and know about all the injustices we have engaged in - consciously, unconsciously, and subconsciously. Let us pass through the death of racism, homophobia, classism, selfishness, oppression, murder, the cult of personalities, and religious fundamentalism. Let us rise to the new life of unity in diversity, sharing, equity, respect for life, cult-of-God-in-Christ, religious change, and progress to serve and provide human flourishing.
I wish you and your family a very HAPPY EASTER! May Christ in you arise and empower you as Easter people so that, in doing justice, you may always bring new life into every dead situation of our times.
Fr. Kwame
Apr
6
Come and See on Zoom
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
Adult Faith Formation Zoom Meeting
"COME AND SEE"
We welcome all who are interested in walking with Jesus
Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM
Each meeting lasts about 40 minutes and includes a brief discussion on a topic basic to the Catholic faith. You don't have to go to one meeting to be able to go to another. The meeting format will accommodate discussion, so please bring your questions.
If you have a friend or family member who wants to learn more about the Catholic faith we invite you all to “come and see”.
To Join Zoom Meeting, Click HERE
Meeting ID: 321 832 6812
Password: Jesus2020
Meeting ID: 321 832 6812
Password: Jesus2020
We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information, contact
Daniel Goodman at gotfordtires@gmail.com.
Fr. Kwame's Adult Bible Study Program:
We are currently on break and will return on
Thursday, April 22nd at 7:00 pm
Thursday, April 22nd at 7:00 pm
Meanwhile, You May Watch
Videos of Fr. Kwame's Previous
Adult Bible Study Sessions
Videos of Fr. Kwame's Previous
Adult Bible Study Sessions
Jesus Boost Podcast
This week's episodes are about MERCY
Episode 28:
Episode 28:
Humility is the mother of all virtues,
says Mother Theresa. Jesus said to
humbly value others above ourselves.
In this world of hustle, success,
and individualism, how
do we balance ambition with humility?
and individualism, how
do we balance ambition with humility?
Listen now, breathe in More of God,
breathe out Less of me,
with key action steps to be more
humble and kind.
Be inspired and empowered each week! Jesus Boost invites you to connect with and tap into the infinite strength and unconditional love of God, available to everyone. There is so much beauty, joy, and power in knowing you are never alone and that Jesus is by your side on this journey. Jesus Boost is your reminder with honest, insightful commentary about modern-day situations, supported by scripture and words of wisdom from renowned leaders. Come away with a fresh perspective, a smile, and a wonderful, unique spiritual lift to help you greet life with renewed hope and strength.
Apr
12
Monday Evening: Men of Faith - Monthly Zoom Mtg.
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
Please join us!
Men of Faith will hold their next monthly Zoom meeting on Monday, April 12th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Our guest speaker will be Richard Murray of The Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Antioch, CA. Richard is a teacher, writer, and a former Carmaldolese monk currently working on his first book on the Bible and the spiritual evolution of humanity.
Men of Faith will hold their next monthly Zoom meeting on Monday, April 12th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Our guest speaker will be Richard Murray of The Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Antioch, CA. Richard is a teacher, writer, and a former Carmaldolese monk currently working on his first book on the Bible and the spiritual evolution of humanity.
Please join us for his talk on the Lord’s Prayer and some surprising and inspiring secrets it holds for us. Read his bio and a short treatment of his talk HERE.
Join our Zoom session at 7:00 pm:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83474917333?pwd=SUZPRVBRbUwraHUrTTdaTGRtUEt1dz09
Meeting ID: 834 7491 7333
Passcode: 097186
Jim Lucas
(925) 980-7871
gojimlucas@gmail.com
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83474917333?pwd=SUZPRVBRbUwraHUrTTdaTGRtUEt1dz09
Meeting ID: 834 7491 7333
Passcode: 097186
Jim Lucas
(925) 980-7871
gojimlucas@gmail.com
Apr
14
RELIGION CHAT - Interfaith Interconnect
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
Please Join Us on Zoom
Interfaith Interconnect Religion Chat!
Topic:
How does your community provide for
those who come in need of forgiveness?
those who come in need of forgiveness?
The meeting room opens at 4:45 p.m., and
the program begins at 5:00.
the program begins at 5:00.
Speakers:
Rev. Ellie Kilpatrick,
Unitarian Universalist Church, Livermore
and
Bishop Roger Persson,
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Rev. Ellie Kilpatrick,
Unitarian Universalist Church, Livermore
and
Bishop Roger Persson,
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
After the presentations, there will be time for questions, followed by optional participation in break-out groups. All are welcome.
A recording of last month’s program on this topic is available on II Facebook: https://fb.watch/4mnGZuQcPu/
Interfaith Interconnect comprises over twenty Tri-Valley congregations, including St. Charles. Its mission is, “To enrich, inform and educate ourselves and others about the great diversity of faiths and cultures in our valley.”
Contact Marcia at 925-321-0730
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Community
1315 Lomitas Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550
