Tuesday 21 April is the first anniversary of the passing of Pope Francis. Pope Francis was elected as our Holy Father on 13 March 2013. In his twelve years as our Holy Father, Pope Francis stressed the need for all of us to recognize the Image of Christ in every person and strive to awaken that image in all by kindling the flame of faith that burns within the heart of every person. We pray for the repose of his soul as we also continue to pray for Pope Leo, whose first anniversary of his election, 8 May, draws closer.
Brochures promoting “The Catholic Church of Philadelphia, Catholic Every Day” are at the entrances of our churches. These brochures have been published by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as a follow-up to the Trust and Hope Initiative.
The brochure details the goals, purpose, and visions of the Missionary Hubs. Currently there are five Missionary Hubs in the archdiocese, one per county. St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Chester is the Delaware County Missionary Hub. The long-term goal is to have ten missionary hubs per county within the next decade.
As baptized members of the Church it is the responsibility of each of us to engage and encourage each other in the practice of our faith. Through our witnessing of the unconditional love of the Father, the mercy of our Savior and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we challenge ourselves to preserve the missionary spirit of the early disciples and welcome others to do the same.
The Catholic Charities Appeal kicked off the 2026 campaign in late February. Thank you to all who have donated so generously to this vital social ministry initiative of the archdiocese.
Envelopes for the 2026 Catholic Charities Appeal are located at the entrances of our Churches. The goal of the 2026 Appeal is $10 million which will support social service ministries, evangelization, special education, mission parishes, and care for elderly clergy within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Archbishop Perez offered the following reflection as the 2026 Catholic Charities Appeal commenced.
“You are living out the mission of Christ’s compassionate love and mercy through your support of the Catholic Charities Appeal—bringing hope to the vulnerable, comfort to the suffering, and light to those in darkness. Together, as Missionary Disciples, we can ensure that everyone in our community knows they have a home in the Church and that God loves them beyond measure.”
Additional information can be found at www.catholiccharitiesappeal.org. Thank you for your continued financial and prayerful support of the annual Catholic Charities Appeal.
Readings and reflection questions for the 3rd Sunday of Easter – Cycle A / 19 April 2026
Acts 2:14, 22-33 – Compare and contrast this first reading with the Gospel. Are they both equally effective? What advantage did Jesus have that St. Peter did not? / Do you trust that God is at your right hand? How does this trust keep you from being disturbed?
Responsorial Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9, 10-11 – R. Lord, you will show us the path of life. – Compare and contrast this Psalm with today’s Gospel. / What is your lot? How is the Lord holding it fast? / Why does the psalmist set the Lord before him? How is it our responsibility to do this? Do you set the Lord before you? What effect does this have on your life? On your spirituality?
1st Peter 1:17-21- What does it mean to sojourn? What does God ask of you during this sojourn? What do you need from God? / St. Peter asks us to conduct ourselves with reverence. What is reverence? What are you called to revere that you may have been overlooking or downplaying?
Luke 24:13-35 – Does the travel of the Emmaus disciples qualify as a sojourn? Why or why not? / Do you like talking to strangers when you travel? Why or why not? / Why is only one of the disciples named? / Apparently these two disciples left after the Resurrection but before the appearance of Jesus. Would you have left at that point? Do you tend to leave before an event is over? / With what prophecies of the Messiah are you familiar? / What causes your heart to burn within you? / Why did Jesus vanish from their sight? Has he ever vanished from yours?