Reflection by: Fr. Salvator M. Stefula, T.O.R.

Today we celebrate the Third Sunday of Easter. The Acts of the Apostles have been speaking about the beginnings of the early Christian community. They were attentively reflecting on the teachings of the apostles, gathering in prayer, and sharing their resources together. In our first reading today, we hear Peter’s first sermon which was on Pentecost Sunday. It is interesting that a few weeks before this, Peter had denied that he even knew Jesus. We hear him now boldly speaking about Jesus.

The gospel speaks about discouragement and hope. How many of us have been discouraged or felt disappointed at times? I am sure many of us can relate to this question. Perhaps the better question is, how did we cope with this situation? The apostles felt disappointed at first after Jesus died. Their hopes were shattered. How often did we want to walk away from God when He did not do the things we wanted him to do for us? Saint Luke wants us to know that even in our discouragement and disappointments we are not alone. Even if we do not recognize God’s presence during these moments, He is always there with us. I would suggest that we pray, the prayer FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND, to give us the courage needed in difficult moments. God bless you.

Hoy celebramos el Tercer Domingo de Pascua. Los Hechos de los Apóstoles han estado contando sobre los comienzos de la antigua comunidad Cristiana. Ellos atentamente reflexionaban acerca de las enseñanzas de los apóstoles, se reunían en oración, y compartían juntos sus recursos. En nuestra primera lectura de hoy, escuchamos el primer sermón de Pedro que fue el Domingo de Pentecostés. Esto es interesante ya que varias semanas antes, Pedro había negado que hasta conocía a Jesús. Ahora lo escuchamos hablando de Jesús con valentía.  

El evangelio habla sobre desilusión y esperanza. ¿Cuántos de nosotros nos hemos sentido a veces desanimados o decepcionados? Estoy seguro de que mucho de nosotros nos relacionamos con esta pregunta. Quizás una mejor pregunta es, ¿cómo manejamos esta situación? Al principio, los apóstoles se sintieron decepcionados después que murió Jesús. Sus esperanzas estaban destrozadas. ¿Cuán a menudo hemos querido alejarnos de Dios cuando Él no ha hecho las cosas que queremos hiciera por nosotros? San Lucas quiere que sepamos que aun en nuestras decepciones y desilusiones no estamos solos. Aun cuando no reconozcamos la presencia de Dios durante estos momentos, Él siempre está ahí con nosotros. Les sugiero que recemos la oración HUELLAS EN LA ARENA, para que nos dé el coraje necesario durante momentos difíciles. Dios te bendiga. 

On the Occasion of the Celebration of the 800^th Celebration of the Transitus of Saint Francis of Assisi 1226-2026

Our dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this year we are celebrating the 800^th anniversary of the death, or transitus, of Saint Francis. The ministers General of the whole Franciscan family have called all Franciscans to celebrate what they have called the Easter of Francis of Assisi. Additionally, Pope Leo XIV has invoked a Jubilee Year, often referred to as a holy year, for all believers to share in this commemoration of Saint Francis entering into heaven. What a wonderful gift for the whole Church!

In contemporary society, we rarely think about death, not only because it reminds us that we are limited creatures, but also because it exposes the false security we get from believing that we are masters over time and life. Saint Francis, on the other hand, welcomed Sister Death with song in his Canticle of the Creatures, the Canticle of Brother Sun, because he understood that death is not the termination of everything but the end that allows us to enter into full communion with God. Indeed, life is a gift that must be given back: “Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally!” (Francis of Assisi, Letter to the Entire Order #29)

At the end of his days, Saint Francis contemplated his life and discovered the presence and action of the Lord everywhere. Thus, in his Testament he repeats, like a refrain: “The Lord gave me, Brother Francis… The Lord gave me such faith in churches… The Lord gave me, and gives me still, such faith… And after the Lord gave me some brothers, no one showed me what to do, but the Most High Himself revealed to me that I should live according to the pattern of the Holy Gospel” (Testament 1-14).

The celebration of the 800^th anniversary of the Easter of Saint Francis invites us to contemplate our lives, both personally and as Catholics, with the eyes of faith, and by doing so, perceive the divine presence and action in everything, even in the difficult and dramatic situations we have experienced or are experiencing now.

It is an opportunity to thank God for all the gifts he has bestowed on us, particularly (on this occasion) for the gift of Saint Francis of Assisi and his evangelical life, which has become a light to the world reflecting the greater Light who is Christ for the world, and which today still has the strength to call out to women and men of all cultures, both inside and outside the Catholic Church.

And finally, celebrating the passing of the Poverello (the little poor one) is an occasion to remember that we are all called to holiness, and that like Saint Francis, we are invited to reflect the beauty of the gospel, because “holiness is the most attractive face of the Church” (Pope Francis, Gaudete et exsultate 9).

So, in this spirit we welcome all those who come to Saint Patrick in South Tampa to share in the light of the faith of Saint Francis, to experience the rich blessings of this Jubilee and Eighth Centenary of his transitus from this life to life with God. May you be inspired to, as Francis told his brothers at the end of his life: “Let us begin, brothers, to serve the Lord God, for up until now we have done little or nothing.”

Yours in Christ and Saint Francis,

Fr. Salvator M. Stefula, TOR                                                                                                                             Fr. Alberto F. Bueno, TOR

Pope Leo XIV Declares Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi | Gulf Coast Catholic

https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/letters/2026/documents/20260107-lettera-morte-sf.html

https://www.centenarifrancescani.org/index.php/en

BINGO & DINNER

Tuesday

2026 Dates: May12th, June 9th, July 14th, August 11th, September 8th, October 13th, November 10th, December 1st

St. Patrick Catholic Church

Social Hall

Dinner served between 5:30pm- 6:30pm. 

Bingo will start at 6:30pm.

Cost: $25.00

Includes 9 pack of 13 sheets (26 games)

and 4 specials. MUST BE 18 TO PLAY.

TICKETS SOLD AT THE DOOR ONLY.

*Meals subject to Change