Poor Thomas. Singled out from among the disciples because he refused to believe what they were telling him—that they had seen, in the flesh, their friend and their Lord, Jesus Christ. Can any of us really blame him? All of the disciples were terrified, crestfallen, hiding. But what of Thomas? Just where was he when Jesus appeared the first time to the group huddled in fear? He had gone “out”—out of the community where his faith had life. Maybe this was actually a blessing for Thomas and not the curse associated with the “doubting Thomas” moniker bestowed on him by tradition. Oh, the divine mercy of the Lord! Could Thomas be the forerunner of all of us who come in fragile hope and uncertainty to the Christian community, so beautifully described in the reading from the Acts of the Apostles? Could Thomas be an ultimate exemplar of the faith described in the First Letter of Peter?

— Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Saint John Paul II named the Second Sunday of Easter “Sunday of Divine Mercy” in response to Saint Faustina Kowalska’s Divine Mercy devotion, which offered spiritual comfort to hearts worldwide. But Pope Francis challenged us to make the comfort that we receive a gift we gladly share, saying that because mercy is first shown to us we are therefore called to show mercy ourselves. The clearest expression of merciful love, said Francis, is pardoning others. He acknowledged how difficult it could be to forgive sometimes, but if we are to achieve peace in our hearts, pardon is the tool that has been put into our very fallible hands. The necessary condition for living joyfully? We must let go of anger, hatred, revenge, and violence. A tall order in a world seemingly bent on the destruction of every peaceful impulse. May Divine Mercy Sunday remind us that Jesus made mercy our life’s ideal and a criterion for our faith’s credibility: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7).

— Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Mass Schedule

• Sunday, April 12 — 9:00 AM (Ana Mendoza†) & 12:00 PM (Spanish)
• Monday, April 13 — 8:30 AM (Jorge Nieves†)
• Wednesday, April 15 — 8:30 AM & 6:30 PM
• Thursday, April 16 — 8:30 AM
• Friday, April 17 — 8:30 AM
• Saturday, April 18 — 8:30 AM & 5:30 PM
• Sunday, April 19 — 9:00 AM (Ilianette Bosque†) & 12:00 PM (Spanish)

Announcements

• CCD Classes — CCD classes will meet today at 10:15 AM.
• Easter Flower Donations — There are envelopes on the tables in the hall and vestibule if you would like to make a donation for Easter flowers in memory of a loved one.
• Tennessee Register — Renewal for the Tennessee Register started in February. Each parish in the diocese must ensure that 70% of its parishioners receive this diocesan Catholic newspaper at a cost to our parish of over $2,400. Please mail your payment or drop it in the collection basket.
• Online Giving — Use the parish QR code to make your donation online.
• Welcome New Parishioners! — Registration cards are on the table in the hall and vestibule. Fill out the card and put it in the collection basket the next time you come to Mass. If you would like envelopes and/or would like to receive the Tennessee Register, please contact Jenny at the parish office 359-5017.
• We welcome: Grant Aubuchon, Steve Lykins, Ilianette Bosque, Pauline, Fernandez Van Clive Family, Guzman Lugo Family, Joseph, Catherine & Philip Costanzo, A. Ozark, Eugene N.

Financial Report

Week of April 5, 2026 — Week 40

Holy Land: $297

Easter Flowers: $275

Ministry Schedule

• Lector: Viazcan
• Eucharistic Ministers: Allison Revetta, Mike Jones, Tyler Moorehead
• Altar Servers: James Wilson & Aaron Lopez

• Lector: Peter Wilson
• Eucharistic Ministers: Richard Johnson, Dustie Trahan, Wesley Trahan
• Altar Servers: Harrison Warf & Anthony Brindle

Today's Readings

• First Reading — All who believed were devoted to the teachings of the apostles, the communal life, the breaking of the bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42–47).
• Psalm — Be thankful to God who loves us forever (Psalm 118).
• Second Reading — God has given us an undiminished inheritance, safeguarded for us in heaven (1 Peter 1:3–9).
• Gospel — The risen Christ comes to his disciples with peace and the Spirit. The absent Thomas doubts (John 20:19–31).

Readings for the Week

• Monday: Acts 4:23–31; Ps 2:1–9; Jn 3:1–8
• Tuesday: Acts 4:32–37; Ps 93:1–2, 5; Jn 3:7b–15
• Wednesday: Acts 5:17–26; Ps 34:2–9; Jn 3:16–21
• Thursday: Acts 5:27–33; Ps 34:2, 9, 17–20; Jn 3:31–36
• Friday: Acts 5:34–42; Ps 27:1, 4, 13–14; Jn 6:1–15
• Saturday: Acts 6:1–7; Ps 33:1–2, 4–5, 18–19; Jn 6:16–21
• Next Sunday: Acts 2:14, 22–33; Ps 16:1–2, 5, 7–11; 1 Pt 1:17–21; Lk 24:13–35

Reflecting on the Word

Today, along with the Second Sunday of Easter, we celebrate the Divine Mercy, God’s immense compassion and mercy that is offered to humanity to help us through the messiness of our lives and, more importantly, to sustain and nurture us in our covenantal relationship with God and others. The unconditional love of God for humanity is demonstrated in this revelation of the Divine Mercy. According to today’s Gospel, the apostles become the instruments of Divine Mercy with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, which they receive as Jesus breathes on them.

One of the central messages in the vision of the Divine Mercy is Jesus’ desire for us to trust him. Implicitly. Without reservation. Even when we doubt, we are asked to repeat the words, “Jesus, I trust in you.” In the second half of the Gospel passage today, we hear Thomas asking to see Jesus’ wounds. Could that be because he doesn’t trust his friends? Or does he not trust Jesus’ promise that he would rise from the dead? Either way, Thomas has trouble trusting. After Jesus invites Thomas to touch his wounds, we hear Thomas acknowledging Jesus, and he sheds his fear and doubt. Jesus’ gentle rebuke is full of love and kindness. The same loving kindness is extended to all humanity as Divine Mercy. We only need to trust in Jesus to be blessed with the many gifts that God desires for us, most especially the gift of the Holy Spirit.

— Excerpted from Living the Word

Birthdays & Anniversaries

• April 13 — Max Davis
• April 13 — Miller Veron
• April 13 — Laura Rodriguez
• April 15 — Terry Jackson
• April 17 — Castro Astrologo
• April 18 — Jose Martinez

Prayer Requests

Agustin Fernandez, Ray Neiner, Gordon McKay, John Rawe, Darey Galindo, Elaine Johnson, Susan & David Brindle, Jan Knox, Alice White, Mike Hull, Chris Rupp, Gina Rupp, Peggy Turvey, Valerie Villafane, Jim Davis, Zippy Ribeiro, Mary Childress, Patricia Davis, Ian Roncskevitz, Diana Pomatto, Adriana Stoltz, Mary Bale, Ray Novelly, John Lademan, Nan Leonard, Kansas Veron, Lynda Skillington, Howard & Joan Eddins, Mike Saites, Julia Schklar, Harry Brandon, Dorothy Walsh

Mission Statement

Adoration

• 8:00 AM, 1st Saturday of the month
• 7:00 PM, 1st & 3rd Friday (Spanish)

30 minutes before Masses