9 April 2026 - St Thomas of Tolentino - homily for Thursday of the octave of Easter - Act 3:1-10

Born in Ancona, Italy in 1260, Thomas became a member of the Friar Minors as a youth. He distinguished himself in his strict observance of the Franciscan rule, being strict in his observance of the Franciscan spirit of poverty. He had a great zeal in brining others to the faith, which sent him to Persia and Armenia to work for years as a missionary. In 1320, he was sent out to the missions in China, but got as far as Thana, near Mumbai, India. He and two of his Franciscan companions were martyred there, being accused of disrespecting the prophet Mohamed. He and his companions were beatified in the 14th century. 

In our reading from the Acts of the Apostles today, we hear about Peter and John heading off to the Temple area to pray when a lame man stops them and asks for assistance. Instead of giving him money, they heal him through the Holy Spirit. The lame man is overcome with joy. As he shouts out to God in praises, the commotion draws the attention of a crowd, giving Peter the opportunity to preach about Jesus. Peter and his companions tell the crowd about what happened to their Lord. They want the people to repent and to change their lives. However, it is not the miracle itself that draws our attention, but rather the power and truth behind the miracle, as it teaches us about God’s kingdom and about our faith. May we learn from the growth and development of the early Church this week in our first readings at daily Mass from the example of faith given us the Acts of the Apostles.

9 April 2026 - prayers of the faithful for Thursday of the octave of Easter

Lord Jesus - you call us to a life of discipleship.

Christ Jesus - you bring us the love of your Father.

Lord Jesus - you are the resurrection.

Priest: Our joy is in Christ’s rising from the dead. In our Easter joy, we now present our prayers to our heavenly Father

1. For Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Kopacz, and all our church leader. May they continue to inspire the members of the body of Christ to deepen their reverence and prayer life on their journey of faith.

2. That pastors may lead and serve their flock entrusted to their care with humility and wisdom.

3. That all governmental leaders may reach out to their people in hope and unity.

4. For all those who are sick and in need of healing in their lives. 

5. For our medical professionals, first responders, veterans, and the men and women in the military. For those on the front lines and who keep us safe. For peace in the Middle East and throughout the world. 

6. For God's prophets in the modern world.  May their message enter our hearts and our minds. 

6. For the faithful departed. For their entry into eternal life. For the souls in purgatory. 

7. For the prayers we hold in our hearts today. For those who have asked for our prayers. 

Priest: Father, you know the many needs of your people. Hear and answer the prayers that we make through your son Jesus Christ, our risen Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

8 April 2026 - St Julie Billiart - Wednesday of the 2nd week of Easter - Luke 24:13-35

St Julie Billiart has a very interesting story. She was born in France to a prominent farming family in 1751. As a youth, she started getting involved in teaching the catechism to farm laborers and to other youth. She was stricken with a mysterious illness at the age of 30, which left her paralyzed and mostly bedridden. However, she still gave spiritual advice and taught the catechism, having a big heart for evangelization. When the French Revolution started in 1789, she spent several years in hiding, since the revolutionary forces were aware of her allegiance to fugitive priests. She always stayed true to her Catholic faith. Later, her friendship with an aristocratic woman led to the founding of the Institute of Notre Dame in 1803, dedicated to the education of poor Catholic girls and to the training of catechists. She died at the motherhouse of the institute in Belgium in 1816 and was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1969. 

We hear the familiar Gospel story of the road to Emmaus today. While our theological knowledge of the faith is important, there is no substitute for a personal encounter and relationship with Christ. The disciples on the Road to Emmaus knew that Jesus died on the cross, so they did not recognize him as he appeared to them on their journey. Yet, through their interaction with Jesus, through the kindness they offered him, and through them breaking open God’s word together and breaking bread, they finally recognize Jesus and they believe. This encounter inspires these disciples to share their experiences and to bring the Gospel message to others. Like these disciples, we are also called to offer acts of kindness to the stranger.  We are called to break open God’s word, to have his word interact with the reality of life. In the Eucharist, in the breaking of the bread around the Lord’s table, we are to receive nourishment and encouragement. Like the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, we also are pilgrims on a journey. 

8 April 2026 - prayers of the faithful for Wednesday of the Octave of Easter

Lord Jesus - you bring us the joy of the Easter season.  

Christ Jesus - you raise us to new life. 

Lord Jesus - you bring us the hope of our faith

PRIEST: As we place our needs before God, let us rejoice because Christ has triumphed over death and has brought us salvation:

1. For the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Kopacz, and all our Church leaders. May they continue to lead the Church in witnessing to the joyful truth of the Resurrection. 

2. For all who have dedicated their lives to God. That they may be Christ’s witnesses in the world in their words and their actions. 

3. For the unemployed. For those struggling economically. For the hungry and the homeless. For those crying out for justice. That their needs be met. 

4. For the family of God gathered here at Mass today. In our Easter joy, may we bear witness to the risen Christ and reflect him in our lives. 

5. For the sick and the afflicted. For all those who need healing in body, mind, or spirit. 

6. For those who have died. That they may rise to eternal life in Christ. 

7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts.  

PRIEST: Almighty Father, your beloved son has risen from the dead, as he promised us. In peace and joy we present our prayers to you, through the same risen Lord, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.  Amen.

7 April 2026 - homily for Tuesday of the Octave of Easter - Act 2:36-41

Today, we celebrate Tuesday of the Octave of Easter. The Octave of Easter is a 8-day liturgical period which starts on Easter Sunday and which concluded on the following Sunday when we celebrate Christ’s divine mercy. The Octave is a special time of celebration of the resurrection our Lord Jesus Christ, with each daily Mass within the octave celebrated as a solemnity. 

The saint we celebrate today is Hermann Joseph von Steinfeld, a Norbertine priest from Germany who was born in the late 12th century. As a child, he had a deep devotion to Mary. A legend is told him out on a cold day without adequate shoes, with Mary providing shoes for him.  He entered the Norbertine Abbey at Steinfeld at the age of 12. He maintained a mystical devotion to Mary throughout his lifetime. He was trained as a clockmaker, and even as a priest, used that skill to make and repair clocks. He is declared a patron saint of clock makers. He died in 1241 at a cloister of Cistercian nuns where served as chaplain, where he is now buried. He was canonized a saint by Pope Pius XII in 1958, more than 700 years after his death. Many miracles of healing from the medieval period are attributed to his intercession. 

In our reading today from the Acts of the Apostles today, we hear about 3,000 people who were baptized in response to the message that Peter preached to them. On Good Friday, we heard the crowd cry out in the midst of Christ’s passion to have him crucified. Some of those same people who cried out for Jesus to be put to death could have been the very ones who responded to Peter’s call of repentance and baptism in our reading today. They “were cut to the heart” when they realized that Jesus, who was just crucified, was made Christ and Lord by God. May their witness be an example of faith for us today. 

7 April 2026 - prayers of the faithful for Tuesday of the Octave of Easter

Lord Jesus - you are the living word of God - Lord have mercy.

Christ Jesus - you bring us hope and truth - Christ have mercy.

Lord Jesus - you are the Word of God - Lord have mercy.

PRIEST: As we celebrate the Octave of Easter, we bring our prayers to our heavenly Father:

1. As we commemorate Christ’s resurrection in a special way today, may his love be visible in our words and actions as we live out our faith each day.

2. That the Holy Spirit may help find that truth in Christ our Savior in the reality of our lives.

3. For our children preparing for the sacrament of holy Eucharist. For our youth who will receive the sacrament of confirmation tomorrow. For those adults who entered the Church on Easter weekend. May they find hope and encouragement on their journey.

4. For all who are suffering or struggling in any way. For all who need healing of body, mind or spirit. May the love of family, friends, and neighbors remind them of God’s loving care.

5. For the faithful departed. For their entry into eternal life. For the souls in purgatory.

6. For the prayers we hold in our hearts today.

PRIEST: Heavenly Father, we ask that you continue to lead and guide your people during the holy season of Easter. Hear our prayers that we make through your son Jesus Christ, our risen Lord forever and ever. Amen.

5 April 2026 - prayers of the faithful for Easter Morning Mass

Introduction - We rejoice that this is the day the Lord has made. God’s love reaches out to all of us today on Easter morning. By Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, he has conquered sin and defeated death. A new life has dawned for us, as God’s love survives sin and overcomes death. Jesus has shown us the way to the Father. May the promise of the resurrection fill us with hope and lead us to eternal life.

Penitential rite - Priest: 

Lord Jesus, you are the risen Christ.

Christ Jesus, you were anointed by God with the Holy Spirit. 

Lord Jesus, you will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Priest: Filled with Easter joy by the promise of the resurrection, we now bring our prayers to God with hope and trust:

1. That by our mercy and compassion, we in the Church may raise our brothers and sisters out of their pain and suffering, sharing the Good News of the risen Christ with them. We pray to the Lord.

2. That the peace Christ brings us on Easter morning extend to the nations of the world, filling their hearts with justice and healing. We pray for peace especially in the Middle East and Ukraine. We pray to the Lord.

3. For all who entered the Church at yesterday’s Easter Vigil Mass. May they grow in their love of God as they live as children of the light. We pray to the Lord.

4. For all who suffer from illness, hunger, isolation, or neglect. May their burdens be lifted by Christ’s continuing mission in the world. We pray to the Lord. 

5. For the sick and the afflicted. For all who cannot be at Mass with us today. May they feel our love and prayers reaching out to them. We pray to the Lord. 

6. May our Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and works of charity continue in our daily lives in the joyful season of Easter. We pray to the Lord.

7. For our deceased loved ones and family members. For their entry into eternal life. We pray to the Lord.

8. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. For our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken. For those who have asked for our prayers. We pray to the Lord.

Priest: God of creation, out of your love for us, you have given us your only begotten son and you have raised him from the dead. We make our prayers this morning through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.