In today’s Gospel Jesus appears to the disciples after the Resurrection.  They are locked away in a room, living in fear.  Jesus’s first words to them are, “Peace be with you!”  They rejoice when they see Jesus.  Now Thomas is not present for this. When he returns, the disciples, rejoicing, tell Thomas that Jesus has appeared to them.  Thomas does not believe them and basically says, “unless I see Him I won’t believe.”  For centuries, Thomas has been described as lacking faith, being the doubter, not trusting in the other disciples experience.  I think this is a bit harsh.  I believe we need to look at Thomas in a new light.  In reality, Thomas is the disciple for the average person, for us.  Any one of us, if we were in Thomas’s situation, would probably react in the very same way - I will believe it when I see it.  I also believe that when Jesus comes back the next week when Thomas is there, His words to Thomas are not a demand to believe, but an invitation to believe.

Jesus extends to us that same invitation to believe.  That is why we have the Gospels.  They share with us the life of Jesus: we hear his words, we hear of his miracles, we read about his forgiveness.  How do we respond?  This Easter Season is a time for us to recommit ourselves to our faith.  Jesus invites us to believe that He is our Savior and Redeemer and He calls us to be His disciples in today’s world.  Like Thomas, we sometimes have doubts or lose our way.  But, each day, Jesus continues to invite us to believe.  Let us take some time this week to reflect on how we respond to the invitation of Jesus to believe and be a disciple.

Congratulations to Chris Afoakwah who received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist at last week’s 12 Noon Mass; and to Michael Mohl who was received into the Catholic Church and received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist at the 8:00 PM Mass last week. We celebrate this great day of faith with them and offer them our support and prayers as they continue their journey of faith in the Catholic Church!

READING OF THE IRAQ WAR DEAD: Every Tuesday, from 12:15 PM - 12:30 PM at the Clocktower, there will be a reading of the names of those who have died in the Iraq War. This is one way we can remember and keep in prayer all those who have died in this war. I invite you to join us when you can. If you would like to volunteer to be a reader, please let me know.

FOOD AND CLOTHING DONATIONS: There is a BASKET in the back of the Chapel for food donations for the needy of our community. When you are shopping, consider getting a nonperishable food item and bring it with you to Mass to place in our food basket. If you have any old clothing that is clean and in good condition that you wish to donate, please bring it to the Osborne Newman Center and place it in the downstairs lounge. These are two ways we can serve those in need in our area.

Last Sunday’s Collection amounted to $352.32. Thank you for your generous support of Catholic Campus Ministry and its programs. 

**UPCOMING EVENTS**

CCM PLANNING FOR THE FALL SEMESTER: Next Tuesday, April 21^st, at 7:30 PM in the Osborne Newman Center, we will begin planning CCM events for the Fall Semester.  Please join us so that we can plan events that are of interest to you.  All are welcome!

 HAVE A BLESSED EASTER SEASON!