2026.04-19 3rd Sunday of Easter

Dear Parishioners,

It won’t be an understatement to say that today we live in a world that feels increasingly fractured—where headlines are heavy with war, division, unrest and tensions.  In such a world, the longing for peace rises from the depths of every human heart. Peace is not just the absence of conflict; it is the presence of justice, compassion, and a quiet strength that refuses to give in to hatred. While negotiations and discussions occur among countries and regional groups, peace doesn’t start solely in conference rooms — it starts in people's hearts. It begins in the small, hidden choices we make each day: to listen instead of dismiss, to forgive instead of retaliate, to speak gently when anger would be easier.

  The words of our risen Lord, the Prince of Peace, still echo with urgency today: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” This is not a passive calling. It is an invitation to courage. To be a peacemaker is to stand in the tension of conflict and choose love anyway. It is to build bridges where others are building walls.

  The call to be peacemakers also means seeing the humanity in those we disagree with, recognizing that behind every label—nation, religion, ideology—there are people who love, fear, and hope just as we do. When we lose sight of that, peace becomes impossible. On the other hand, when we begin to see others not as enemies but as fellow travelers, something changes. Compassion softens hearts. Dialogue replaces suspicion. And even if the world does not transform overnight, something within us does—and that is where lasting peace takes root.

  In times like these, we are called not to despair, but to pray for peace, yes—but also to live it. To become, in our own circles, instruments of reconciliation. May we have the courage to choose peace when it is difficult, to hold onto hope when it feels fragile, and to believe that even in a divided world, peace is still possible—one heart, one act, one moment at a time.

Fr. Vijai, CSC ~ Pastor