Monday, March 21, 2016

Remember me when you come into your Kingdom, Palm Sunday, Cycle C, 3/20/2016


As we enter into Holy Week Luke’s Passion of the Lord provides us with the model of Christian discipleship:  being a humble servant, obedience to God’s will, and extending mercy and forgiveness.    There’s quite a bit to absorb in the Passion story and it would be good idea to read this on your own and reflect on it throughout Holy Week.   As I reflected on the Passion, Jesus’ acts of mercy really stood out to me.  Jesus was ministering to others, as he was being persecuted and crucified.  I suspect that the Jubilee Year of Mercy really helped me to focus on this aspect of Jesus’ Passion.

There are three acts of mercy that I’d like to point out.  Jesus healed the servant’s ear that was cut by Peter’s sword.  Jesus also forgave his executioners stating, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”.   He was extending mercy to those who were persecuting him.
 The repentant criminal asked Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom. Jesus responded, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise”.   In this final act of   Jesus extended his mercy to a man who admitted he was justly condemned.  What a beautiful example of why Jesus obediently followed the Father’s will in dying for us.   He did it to take on our sins and extend mercy on us so we can be reconciled with the Father.  Jesus didn’t come to condemn and judge us. He came to extend his mercy and welcome us into Paradise. We just need to ask to receive his mercy.

As we enter into Holy Week let’s act in ways to be instruments of God’s mercy.  There are many people who stay away from the Church because they feel like they’re being judged. If you know someone who’s been away from the Church invite them back to receive the sacrament of reconciliation or to attend Holy week services.  Holy Thursday’s foot washing is a beautiful witness of Jesus humble service extending his love and mercy.  Also pray for those who’ve felt judged or we may have judged ourselves.   Let’s ask for the grace to be merciful to others as we continue on to receive the Eucharist.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Jubilee Year of Mercy Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome, May 23-31

Deacon Ron and Linda Pirau invite you to join them on a 9-day pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome in celebration of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, May 23 – 31, 2016.   This pilgrimage will coincide with the Jubilee for Deacons from May 27 to 29, 2016.   An invitation has been extended to deacons and their families by the Most Reverend Rino Fischella, President of the Pontifical Council on the Promotion of the New Evangelization, on behalf of Pope Francis to participate in the convocation of deacons. Parish members are welcome to attend and there will be activities planned for them during the convocation for deacons. This will be a wonderful opportunity for deacons, family members, friends and parish family to travel together for a memorable spiritual journey.

Father Jeff Godecker will be joining us on the pilgrimage and will celebrate Mass at the sacred sites we will visit on the pilgrimage.  Fr. Jeff is a retired priest from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and offers retreats throughout the year at Fatima Retreat House.  He also provides spiritual formation for current the Archdiocese of Indianapolis Deacon formation class.  Fr. Jeff's bio is available by clicking here.



  Our all-inclusive pilgrimage will include domestic and international air from Indianapolis, first-class hotels, breakfast and dinner daily, entrance fees, gratuities, taxes and deluxe motor-coaches with professional guides throughout. We’ll enjoy two nights in Assisi with guided touring and five nights in Rome where we’ll Celebrate Mass with Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square with deacons from around the world. Sightseeing includes: the Vatican Museum, St Peter’s Basilica, the Jubilee Door, the Seven Pilgrimage Churches of St. Lawrence, the Coliseum, Pantheon, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. An Amalfi Coast post tour extension is available.


Complete details along with pricing of the tour are on EO Tours web site Jubilee Year of Mercy Pilgrimage with Deacon Ron Pirau or you may view itinerary and pricing below. To register for the pilgrimage please use tour host ID 56527 on the online registration form. For more information and a brochure, contact Deacon Ron by filling out contact just below the "Merciful Iike the Father" image to the upper right. A video presentation on the pilgrimage can be viewed by clicking on the image below:




Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome

Itinerary

Monday, May 23, 2016:   Day 1 - Depart USA   Our Italian adventure begins as you depart the USA on your international flight.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016:   Day 2 - Rome, Orvieto, Assisi  On arrival at Rome airport you will be met and transferred north by coach through the stunning countryside.  Celebrate Mass at the Cathedral here. Check into your Assisi Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016:   Day 3 – Assisi 
Today we’ll visit the Church and Convent of St. Damiano where in 1205 Saint Francis received his calling to "Rebuild My Church".  We’ll celebrate Mass at one of these sanctuaries of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels.  Dinner and overnight in Assisi.

Thursday, May 26, 2016:   Day 4  – Assisi   
This morning we’ll walk to the Papal Basilica of St Francis, the mother church of the Franciscan Order and burial place of St Francis. Celebrate Mass here.  Continue on your guided pilgrimage of the town’s highlights featuring the Basilica of St. Clare. This afternoon, make your way to Rome for dinner and overnight.

Friday, May 27, 2016:   Day 5– Jubilee of Mercy Conference   
Today in Rome, we’ll visit to the Forum and the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.

Conference Attendees - 5 PM - Deacons and wives will be organized by language (English, Italian and Spanish) for a series of presentations at the seven churches of St. Lawrence.  A keynote address will be presented on the subject, “Deacon – Icon of Mercy of the New Evangelization.” Three additional presentations will discuss application of the Deacon as the Icon of Mercy “- In the Family,” "- In the Parish,” and “- In the Workplace.”

Saturday, May 28, 2016: Day 6 – Jubilee of Mercy Conference  
Enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican’s Museums and Sistine Chapel.  Celebrate Mass and tour St. Peter’s Basilica.  At 6:00 pm, pilgrims will walk through theHoly Doors at St. Peter’s Basilica to hear official catechesis on the subject: “The Deacon: Called to the Service of Charity in the life of the Community.”

Conference Attendees Option- Starting at 8:00 am and ending at 5:00 pm, there will be opportunities for Eucharistic adoration, reconciliation and tours of the seven churches of St Lawrence as personal pilgrimages.

Sunday, May 29, 2016 Day 7 - Jubilee of Mercy Conference
At 10:00 am. Holy Mass will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Square with Pope Francis. All are welcome. Deacons will be seated to the front.

Afternoon  visit to the Arch-Basilica of Saint John Lateran.  Next door is theHoly Staircase (Scala Santa.  Next is the Basilica of Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls (San Lorenzo) and the Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Maria Maggiore).

Monday, May 30, 2016: Day 8 (M) – Rome 
Visit the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls and Saint Paul’s grave.  San Sebastian Outside the Walls is another of the seven Pilgrimage churches, built over the Catacombs of Saint Sebastian. Pray at the  Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem and the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Love.  Celebrate Mass in one of the churches.

Tuesday, May 31, 2016: Day 9 – Return to USA   Return home with memories of the people and places of our faith, or continue on with the Amalfi Coast Extension (See attached full itinerary with extension.


All inclusive price of $3,698.00 including air. Land only package is $2,398.00 all inclusive)

 
International Air from New York* (Add $348 from Indianapolis.  Many other cities avaiable)
First Class Hotels 
in Rome and Assisi
Breakfast and Dinner Daily 
Licensed professional local guides.
Guided Touring
Deluxe A/C Motor Coaches
Entrance. Program fees and Gratuities
Overseas Transfers
Fuel Surcharges and Government Taxes