Message from Fr. Tom

"Christ is Risen!"

Can you imagine what it would have been like for the Holy Apostles to witness both the resurrection and ascension of our Lord?

The Lord had risen from the dead, Jesus appeared to them, showed them His wounds. Jesus walked with the two to Emmaus and spoke to the disciples. Even with all this evidence, the Apostles were fearful and unable to face the people and begin their ministry.

From the day of Jesus' arrest, the Apostles showed great weakness. Many were unable to fight against the false accusations, some went into hiding and even Peter, the rock and leader of the apostles, denied that he even knew Christ.

They were afraid and apprehensive. And yet these weak human beings were invited by our Lord to consider things that were unimaginable, to do things they could never comprehend, to change the world!

What an extraordinary and immediate change came over the Holy Apostles on that day of Pentecost (the Church's birthday)! Fear and doubt turned to courage and strong faith. They were transformed by remembering what Jesus had taught them; their convictions and belief were unshakable. Nothing could stop them from spreading the Good News and pursuing their mission to love.

How did the Apostles receive this changing power? It was truly the power of the Holy Spirit! It engulfed them and transformed them into great teachers and healers. They were examples of ordinary men and women loving God with all their hearts, minds and souls.

I believe it is no coincidence that our church is named after these saints and evangelists, the Holy Apostles. We, the growing church of Holy Apostles are given that same challenge: to proclaim a sacred message, to stir the hearts of the world, to make the dead in spirit come alive, to bring hope to the hopeless, peace and healing to those who are suffering, to love those in despair, and proclaim the message of Christ.

Just like the Holy Apostles, we are invited by the Holy Spirit to proclaim Christ's message of love. Jesus tells us, as he did to St. Peter: "Alone you can do nothing, but with me, you can move mountains!"

Certainly, we are at an important juncture on our journey at Holy Apostles. It is time for all of us to take action in opening the doors of our church community. Each of us needs to reach out, to open our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to continually transform us.

We must seriously consider how we will give using our gifts, time, talents and treasures to glorify God and support His Church. May we pray daily and be filled with the fruits of the spirit... "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self- control. Continue to proclaim to all, "Christ is Risen!"

In His Service,

Fr. Tom

"Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, the treasury of blessings and Giver of life: come and abide in us. Cleanse us from all impurity and save our souls, gracious Lord."