Friendship and Cooperation with the Risen Lord
Dear Parishioners,
These days of Easter—between the Resurrection, the Ascension, and our preparation for Pentecost—are a special invitation to deeper friendship with the Risen Lord. Christ comes to meet us even in our fear and hidden places, just as He did with the disciples in the upper room, offering us His peace and drawing us into relationship with Him.
In the readings, for Sunday and daily Masses, we see both movement and intimacy: the Church in Acts goes forth with joy, but only after first encountering the Risen Lord and being transformed by Him. The Gospel draws us into those personal moments where Jesus reveals His heart and invites His disciples not just to follow Him, but to remain with Him. After renewing our baptismal promises, we are called not only to mission, but first to friendship—and from that friendship, a real cooperation with the Lord for the purpose of building up our community in Him.
I have seen this especially in our OCIA mystagogy gatherings, where many are growing in prayer and in a deeper awareness of the grace received through the sacraments. Recently, one member shared his story of serious health challenges and what he described as a miraculous healing—an experience that drew him back to God in a profound way. After he spoke, another member, who had been journeying quietly with the group for months, became emotional. He shared that he had experienced the same condition and that, in his own suffering, others had come to pray with him. Through that experience, he found himself longing for God in a new way. In that moment, you could see how the Holy Spirit was at work—drawing them into friendship with the Risen Lord and, through that, into a deeper unity with one another.
It was a powerful reminder that the Lord meets each of us personally and invites us to cooperate with Him. He uses our lives—our struggles and our healings—to build up His Body. Each of us is chosen and called by name, with a part to play in this work.
This weekend, I will be preaching at all the Masses about this call—how we are chosen and how we are being built together as a parish in Christ.
As we continue through this Easter season, let us remain close to the Risen Lord, growing in friendship with Him and learning to cooperate more fully with His grace as He builds up our community.
In the Risen Christ,
Father Kevin Regan,
May is just around the corner, a month dedicated to Mother Mary and our Mother.
Please know that the life of grace is extended the first few weeks of this month in the following ways in our community:
Friday, May 1 – First Friday Devotion – Fr. Joseph Gonzales
Saturday, May 2 – Young Families – Rosary and Play
Saturday, May 9 – First Communion
Sunday, May 10 – May Crowning after 10:45 am Mass
Sunday, May 10 – Launching Survey on Education at Mother Seton Parish
Mother’s Day Novena begins
Saturday, May 16 – Confirmation with Bishop Esposito
Sunday, May 17 – Welcoming our Summer Seminarian, Sam Guevara
Durante el tiempo de Pascua, la Iglesia nos invita a entrar en una amistad más profunda con el Señor Resucitado, quien viene a nuestro encuentro en medio de nuestros miedos, luchas y aun en aquellos lugares donde nos sentimos ocultos. Así como se apareció a los discípulos en el cenáculo, Jesús nos ofrece su paz y nos llama a una relación personal con Él. Esta amistad no está destinada a quedarse en lo privado, sino que se convierte en el fundamento de nuestra misión. Desde nuestra cercanía con Cristo, somos llamados a cooperar con su gracia para edificar nuestra comunidad parroquial. A través de la oración, los sacramentos y las experiencias compartidas de fe—especialmente en momentos de sanación, testimonio y conversión—el Espíritu Santo nos va formando como un solo Cuerpo. Cada persona es elegida y tiene un papel importante. Al prepararnos para Pentecostés, recordamos que la unidad, el amor y la misión brotan de una amistad viva con el Señor Resucitado.
Pendant le temps pascal, l’Église nous invite à entrer dans une amitié plus profonde avec le Seigneur ressuscité, qui vient à notre rencontre au cœur de nos peurs, de nos luttes et même dans nos lieux cachés. Comme il l’a fait avec les disciples au Cénacle, Jésus nous offre sa paix et nous appelle à une relation personnelle avec lui. Cette amitié n’est pas destinée à rester privée, mais elle devient le fondement de notre mission. De notre proximité avec le Christ découle l’appel à coopérer avec sa grâce pour bâtir notre communauté paroissiale. À travers la prière, les sacrements et les expériences partagées de foi—en particulier les moments de guérison, de témoignage et de conversion—l’Esprit Saint nous forme comme un seul Corps. Chacun est choisi et a un rôle à jouer. En nous préparant à la Pentecôte, nous nous rappelons que l’unité, l’amour et la mission jaillissent d’une amitié vivante avec le Seigneur ressuscité.
Trong mùa Phục Sinh, Giáo Hội mời gọi chúng ta bước vào một tình bạn sâu sắc hơn với Chúa Kitô Phục Sinh, Đấng đến gặp gỡ chúng ta giữa những nỗi sợ hãi, những khó khăn và cả những nơi chúng ta muốn ẩn mình. Giống như khi Người hiện ra với các môn đệ trong phòng tiệc ly, Chúa Giêsu ban bình an và mời gọi chúng ta sống mối tương quan cá vị với Người. Tình bạn này không chỉ dừng lại ở đời sống riêng tư, nhưng trở thành nền tảng cho sứ mạng của chúng ta. Từ sự gắn bó với Chúa, chúng ta được mời gọi cộng tác với ân sủng của Người để xây dựng cộng đoàn giáo xứ. Qua đời sống cầu nguyện, các bí tích và những kinh nghiệm chia sẻ đức tin—đặc biệt là những chứng từ về chữa lành và hoán cải—Chúa Thánh Thần đang hiệp nhất chúng ta thành một Thân Thể duy nhất. Mỗi người đều được chọn và có vai trò riêng, khi chúng ta hướng về lễ Hiện Xuống.