St. Anthony & Our Lady of Fatima

What is the church? A mystery imbued with the hidden presence of God. It is as Cardinal Avery Dulles described it -an institution, a mystical communion, a sacrament, a herald, a servant. The church is a community of disciples.                   ~ Fr. Matt

In Richard Wagner’s opera “Das Reingold”, the weary and worn gods are near Valhalla.  There is no way across the chasm.  Thor creates a rainbow as a bridge and all are finally at rest.  Today on Easter Sunday we are battered and worn out Christians.  We are celebrating a passage to a more wonderful home.  Jesus Christ through his death and resurrection has become the rainbow bridge traversing the chasm of sin and forgiveness, slavery and freedom from darkness to light.  We travel this passage in faith.  This is the challenge of Easter.

~ Fr. Matt

St. Luke emphasizes Jesus’ UNION with the Father and doing the will of God over and above his suffering and death. The HEALING power of the passion of Jesus is pointed out by the reattaching of the man’s ear in the Garden.  The INNOCENCE of Jesus is announced by Pilate three times, surprisingly by Herod, the one thief, and the Centurion under the cross.             ~ Fr. Matt

Life is a series of passages, from youth to old age, from small dreams to fulfilled goals, from fool hardy to daring to experienced risk taking, from failure to repentance, from death to life.                  ~ Fr. Matt