Third Sunday of Easter

Why didn’t the Apostles immediately recognize the Lord when he greeted them at the Sea
of Tiberias? John gives us a clue. He states that Peter decided to return to his home
district of Galilee, very likely so he could resume his fishing career. Peter was discouraged
and didn’t know what to do after the tragedy of Jesus’ death! He went back to his previous
career out of despair and uncertainty. The other Apostles followed him back to Galilee.
When was the last time Peter was commanded to let down his net after a futile night of
fishing? It was at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee when the Lord dramatically
approached Peter in his fishing boat after a futile night of fishing and commanded him to
lower his nets (see Luke 5:4-11). After the miraculous catch, Jesus told Peter that he would
be ‘catching people” for the kingdom of God. Now Jesus repeats the same miracle. John,
the beloved disciple, is the first to recognize the Lord. Peter impulsively leaps from the
boat and runs to the Lord. Do you run to the Lord when you meet setbacks,
disappointments, or trials? The Lord is ever ready to renew us in faith and to give us fresh
hope in his promises.

Skeptics who disbelieve the resurrection say the disciples only saw a vision of Jesus. The gospels, however, give us a
vivid picture of the reality of the resurrection. Jesus went out of his way to offer his disciples various proofs of his
resurrection -- that he is real and true flesh, not just a spirit or ghost. In his third appearance to the apostles, after
Jesus performed the miraculous catch of fish, he prepared a breakfast and ate with them. Peter’s prompt recognition
of the Master and exclamation, “It is the Lord!” stands in sharp contrast to his previous denial of his Master during the
night of arrest. The Lord Jesus reveals himself to each of us as we open our hearts to receive his word. Do you
recognize the Lord's presence in your life and do you receive his word with faith?

Why did Jesus question Peter’s love and fidelity three times in front of the other apostles? It must have caused Peter
pain and sorrow since he had publicly denied Jesus three times. Now Peter, full of remorse and humility, unequivocally
stated that he loved his master and was willing to serve him whatever it might cost. When Jesus asks him "do you love
me more than these?" he may have pointed to the boats, nets and catch of fish. He may have challenged Peter to
abandon his work for the task of shepherding God's people. Jesus also may have pointed to the other disciples and to
Peter's previous boast: "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away" (Matthew 26:33). Peter now
makes no boast or comparison but humbly responds: "You know I love you".

The Lord calls us, even in our weakness and sin, to love him above all else. Augustine in his Confessions wrote: "Late
have I loved you, O Beauty so ancient and so new. Late have I loved you! ...You shone your Self upon me to drive away
my blindness. You breathed your fragrance upon me... and in astonishment I drew my breath...now I pant for you! I
tasted you, and now I hunger and thirst for you. You touched me! - and I burn to live within your peace." (Confessions
10:27) Nothing but our sinful pride and willfulness can keep us from the love of God. It is a free gift unmerited and
beyond payment. We can never outmatch God in love. He loved us first and our love for him is a response to his
exceeding graciousness and mercy. Do you allow God's love to change and transform your heart?

"Lord inflame my heart with your love and remove everything that is unloving, unkind, ungrateful, unholy and not in
accord with your will."

___________________________________________________________________________

SHARELIFE - The wonders of tomorrow…

People under the age of 19 represent approximately 20 per cent of our population. Statistics suggest
more and more youth experience poverty, unemployment, and domestic crisis every year. ShareLife agencies
provided food, shelter, guidance, care and counselling to more than 10,000 young people last year in the GTA.
These young lives represent the future of our society. It is incumbent on us to nurture them, protect them, and
prepare them to work the wonders of tomorrow. Help us reach out to our youth in crisis. Please support ShareLife.
Next Sunday, April 25, is the 2nd ShareLife collection.
Please give generously. Each gift makes a meaningful impact in the lives of the marginalized
and needy within our midst.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
EVENTS
 ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI GALA
Put on your dancing shoes and bring your appetites. Dance
to the sweet DJ sounds of the 60’s and 70’s. Enjoy a
fabulous gourmet buffet meal including salad, roast beef,
buttered chicken, Japanese prawns, Spaghetti Bolognese,
Basmati ghee rice, Portuguese baked
potatoes, mixed vegetables, dessert,
tea or coffee and cash bar. All this for
only ….are you ready… $30 per person.
When: May 15th. Where: St. Francis
of Assisi parish hall. Time: Cocktails
6:30 p.m. – Dinner at 7:30 pm sharp.
Dancing and good times to follow.
This parish social event of the year will
be a SELL OUT!! Don’t be disappointed, get your tickets
now. For ticket or table bookings contact the Knights of
Columbus: Ernest 905-569-8951, Kevin 905-781-1951,
Fred 905-608-1490, Charles 905-820-2358.
 "USED BOOK-DVD-CD-ALBUM SALE"
Your Knights of Columbus will be holding a "USED BOOK-
DVD-CD-ALBUM SALE" after Masses on the weekend
of April 24/25 in the Parish Hall and they are asking St.
Francis parishioners and friends to assist them by donating
items. There will be a drop-off bin for all your goodies at
the back of the church on the weekend of April 17/18. All
funds raised from the sale will go to a local worthy charity.
YOUTH MINISTRY CORNER: IGNITE!
What exciting discussions this week! We looked at the
relationship between science and faith. We thought about
Pope John Paul II’s words in Fides et Ratio - “Faith and
reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to
the contemplation of truth”. Our focus was on prayer and
hope and their relationship to science.
We would like to share with you some of the great
advertisements we created for our faith. One commercial
had the great slogan ‘Believing in You – Believing in us’. And
we’ll end with a rap song written by Joseph for his team’s
TV commercial. The last two lines say it all!
God is the best
He’s better than the rest.
Church is so great
Because it holds our faith.
We gotta go to church
So we won’t become a jerk.
We gotta believe in Him
So He will forgive our sins.
You can’t unplug the cord
Between you and the Lord.
EXCITING NEW RETREAT ... FIRST TIME
OFFERED IN CANADA, ACTS
(Adoration, Community, Theology, Service)
RETREAT WEEKEND FOR MEN – MAY 27-30, 2010 at
QUEEN OF APOSTLES RENEWAL CENTRE, Mississauga,
facilitated by a retreat team from the U.S.A. The goals are
to renew yourself spiritually, to strengthen your faith and
to apply it in your daily life. For more information or to
register call the Centre at 905-278-5229.
INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP
The recent ‘Financial Crisis’ has left many wondering if
they will be able to meet their financial goals. Together
with your spouse, or a good friend, attend a Financial
Planning “SECOND OPINION” interactive workshop,
hosted by Financial Advisor, Gerry Son Kee of Raymond
James Ltd., with keynote Speaker, Jennifer Cheung of
Hartford Investments, on Wednesday, April 28th, 2010 at
7.00 p.m. at St Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church
(Parish Hall). R.S.V.P to Mary Richmond at (905) 891-5222,
Ext 252. LIGHT REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED.
WE REMEMBER IN OUR PRAYERS
MONDAY, APRIL 19 AT 7:30 P.M.
Acts 6: 8-15, John 6: 22-29
+ John Joseph Hanan
TUESDAY, APRIL 20 AT 8:45 A.M.
Acts 7: 51-8:1, John 6: 30-35
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21 AT 7:30 P.M.
Acts 8, 1-8, John 6: 35-40
+ Nick Scarangella
THURSDAY, APRIL 22 AT 8:45 A.M.
Acts 8: 26-40, John 6: 44-51
FRIDAY, APRIL 23 AT 7:30 P.M.
Acts 9: 1-20, John 6: 52-59
SATURDAY, APRIL 24 AT 9:00 A.M.
Acts 9: 1-20, John 6: 60-69
SATURDAY, APRIL 24 AT 5:00 P.M.
Acts 13:14, 43-52, Rev. 7: 9, 14-17, John 10:27-30
+ Dann Saavedra,
S.I. Mauryzyn & Magdaleni Walczyk
SUNDAY, APRIL 25
Acts 13:14, 43-52, Rev. 7: 9, 14-17, John 10:27-30
8:00 a.m. *
9:30 a.m. For the Parish Community
11:00 a.m + Maria Lombardi
12:30 p.m. + Melusina Hermoso Sales, S.I. David & Andy
Calado, + Deceased members of the DeGouveia family.
*Mass Intentions are available where there is no name
mentioned. Please call the Parish Office – 905-822-8132,
Ext. 3.