Easter

We are all still digesting the events of the Marathon. Many in our community have been physically scarred. Some have lost their lives. All of us have been emotionally scarred. As more and more information emerges more and more questions will arise. The usual questions of who, what, when, where, how will be there. The question that will haunt us will be why? How could two human beings be so callous and knowingly maim and kill their innocent brothers and sisters? How could such evil intent enter the minds of individuals?  After the initial killings what drove the two brothers to continue the slaughter? Alongside this behavior we saw the heroic, loving and caring responses of so many of our fellow citizens and neighbors. Maybe the two young men did not see the...

Le MEJ – Mouvement Eucharistique Des Jeunes or YEM – Youth Echaristic Movement of St. Matthew’s Dorchester. MEJ – MOUVEMENT EUCHARISTIC DES JEUNES OF ST MATTHEW’S will celebrate their 24th Anniversary at the 11AM Mass at St. Matthew’s Dorchester next Sunday 5 May 2013. The following Saturday 11 May 2013, they are inviting you to a cultural night of festivities that include folkloric dances, songs, poems, live music and refreshment. Click here for more details about MEJ – Mouvement Eucharistic Des Jeunes. Contact Jovenel Alphonse at 617-436-3590 or 617-298-0080.

Originally posted as “Father Joy’s Comforting Voice on Good Shepherd Sunday”. Updated! On this Fourth Sunday of Easter – as well known as “The Good Shepherd Sunday”, our pastor has special words for us: a few words of comfort to reassure us and to pray with us so that The Father “… delivers us from evil.” Father Joy spoke in reference to the recent bombings at the Boston Marathon finish line last week. He asks us to display gratitude to hospital professionals and police officers who courageously provide their services diligently at the time of tragedy.  Finally, he invites us to fulfill our civic duties next week at the special senatorial elections in the State of Massachusetts. Click the play button in our podcast to listen to...

From Our Pastor’s Desk – at Easter — HE IS RISEN ALLELUIA! These are the words that proclaim Easter. This is the feast that brings new life and hope to Christians throughout the world. Today we celebrate Jesus’ triumph over death. Our Lenten journey this year was unique for Catholics. We saw the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the election of Pope Francis. This Lent has made us all more aware of our Catholicity and the rich Tradition that is ours. Easter provides us with that spiritual boost to renew our efforts to live out the Gospel. The Church provides us a communal context in which we can serve one another and bring the Gospel of Jesus to life. Easter is also the time when we welcome new members into the Church and our Parishes...

Critical thinking and reflections On the Betrayal of Judas. I think that the idea that Judas was pre-destined - or “put on earth to betray Jesus” -  falls into metaphysical philosophies known as ‘determinism’, ‘fatalism’ and ‘defeatism’.  Such philosophies can not coexist with Christianity – or Catholicism for that matter. For one of many reasons, and as Richard P. mentioned, determinism contrasted with ‘free will’. The same way – via observation of individual characters and performances – a teacher has foreknowledge of students who will pass or fail his class, or a doctor about patients who will recover or die, etc … God has foreknowledge of the betrayal of Judas which was foretold in the scriptures. I believe the certainty of...