The Resurrection of the Lord

April 5, 2026

GOSPEL MEDITATION

Zander Price was the fastest kid at my grade school. He won every race on Field Day. To me, his swiftness meant he was the greatest. Zander was the best.

It’s the same with the speediest Apostle on Easter morning. John tells us he “ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first.” (John 20:4) But only after Peter entered did John go in, see the burial cloths, and believe. Here is a symbol of two dimensions of the Church. John, the beloved disciple, represents the contemplative, mystical life: affection, prayer, intimacy. Peter, the rock, represents the Church’s institutional life: steady, authoritative, structured…but slower.

Of course, John runs faster! Love is the heartbeat of Christian faith, so love will always arrive first. Peter’s role is, in a sense, secondary. He arrives later, but is still very much needed. John waits for him. The Church must be built, balanced, protected, and led. Love without structure can vanish; structure without love becomes lifeless.

This dynamic is not just historical — it is personal. In you, there is a John who longs to run to the tomb in love. Let him run! Pray, sing, love Jesus. There is also a Peter, who eventually gets to the tomb and takes charge. The Risen Christ wants both. Remember: if you want to get to the mystery of Jesus’ resurrection fast…love him, for love is best.
- Father John Muir

PRO-LIFE CORNER

“To claim the right to abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia, and to recognize that right in law, means to attribute to human freedom a perverse and evil significance…The right to life is the most basic and fundamental right that is and must be protected.”
- St. John Paul II

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP

The great feast of Easter has begun, Christian stewards. Let us rejoice and be glad! Just as we embraced the disciplines and fasting of Lent, let us fully embrace the joy and feasting that the next 50 days offer. We are called to be good stewards of the Easter season.

Our first reading, from Acts, gives instructions on how to do this. Here, St Peter says that our Lord “commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead… that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.” How do we ordinary people preach and testify to all God has done? By the way we live our ordinary lives – through the intentional use of our time, talent and treasure for the kingdom of God. Putting God and others ahead of ourselves in every aspect of our lives is the most eloquent preaching we can do. Boldly and joyfully embracing a stewardship way of life is our most powerful testimony.

As Christian stewards, we are the modern-day witnesses of an incredible miracle prompted by unfathomable love – the death and Resurrection of our Savior for us. Let us rejoice and be glad, and let’s make sure our lives are a testimony to this amazing grace!

A FAMILY PERSPECTIVE

Today’s gospel instructs us Jesus “had to rise from the dead.” The dying we experience with unmet expectations in marriage and parenting is normal to family life. Families must rise above disappointments and be Easter people all year long.
- Bud Ozar

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are inviting all youth and adults who would like to be trained for service as an altar server, lector or Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, especially for the 12noon mass. Please contact the parish office at 814-943-8553 if you are interested and a training session will be scheduled for you.

Prayer Requests

Kathy Ansman, Mark Blackie, Rod Baronner, Dan Bauer, Dave Bauer, Jack Chilcote, Harry Chirdon, Karen Claar, Brandon Conaway, Shirley Conlon, Denise Conrad, James Conrad, Kathy Corl, William Costlow, Joe DeGennaro Jr., Colette DiMemmo, Margaret Dodson, Tim Dodson, Joan Donnelly, Matthew Dorman, Nate Dorman, Amelia Doughurty, Lois Duncan, Thomas Duncan, Paul Dunmire, Ashley Eagen, Corinda Ermin, Roberta Farabaugh, Herman Frederick, Pat Harpster, Leighton Hess, Lucy Horton, Raymond Kargo, Carol Keagy, Russell Keith, John Kleine, Ruth Lamca, Cyndi Lansberry, Beth Lloyd, Joan Maier, Charles McGrain, Shirley McIntyre, Mason Wayne McManus, Paul Angelo Morelli, Bev Mueller, Bonnie Neal, Jessica Neff, Lee Neff, Kevin O'Rourke, Lucille Parker, Sarah Rihnovich, Nancy Servello, Elizabeth Siglow, Laura Snyder, Bill stauffer, Alex Walter, Margo Wascherl, Joan Weston, Renee Williams, Mikayla Yanchik, Pat Zeak.

If you would like to add a sick or hospitalized person to our prayer list or readd a person, please call the rectory office, at 943-8553. Parishioners of Saint Mary are encouraged and welcome to participate. Remember, you must have the permission of the ill person/family to publish their name.

Sacred Heart Church