The Road to Emmaus

04-19-2026Weekly ReflectionFr. Fred Adamson

Dear Parishioners,

Happy Easter! As we continue our journey through this joyful season, we are invited to draw ever more deeply into the wellspring of God’s mercy and love. After the forty days of Lent, it can be tempting to slip back into old routines once Easter Sunday has passed. But this is not what the Lord desires for us.

Easter is meant to change us. Through the Resurrection, we are called to be renewed and refreshed by His saving love. The empty tomb and Christ’s appearances to His disciples are not only events of the past, they continue to give direction and meaning to our lives today.

This weekend, we hear the beautiful Gospel of the road to Emmaus. Two disciples, discouraged and disheartened, are leaving Jerusalem. Their hopes seemed shattered by all that had happened to Jesus. Yet, in their confusion, the Lord Himself draws near. He walks with them, patiently listens, and opens the Scriptures to them. Finally, in the breaking of the bread, their eyes are opened, they realize He had been with them all along.

What a powerful message for us. Christ is already walking with us, even when we do not recognize Him. Our disappointments, struggles, uncertainties, and the burdens of daily life can cloud our vision. We believe, yet still feel lost. We pray, yet sometimes feel unheard. Our expectations can prevent us from seeing the ways God is truly present.

But Jesus remains patient. He meets us in His Word and reveals Himself most fully in the gift of the Eucharist. The road to Emmaus is, in many ways, a reflection of our life as a Catholic community. At every Mass, we walk with the Lord, listen to the Scriptures, and encounter Him in the breaking of the bread. He is with us - always.

This weekend, we also rejoice with the 44 young people who received the Sacrament of Confirmation and their First Holy Communion, along with one adult and one teen, as well as six students from Notre Dame Prep. The gift of the Holy Spirit strengthens them to live the Catholic faith with courage and conviction. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue their journey of faith.

You may have noticed that the rectory area has now been fenced off as construction begins. This is an exciting step toward making the long- awaited on-site rectory a reality. I am deeply grateful to all who have supported this effort. With an estimated timeline of about 12 months, we look forward to the day when this project is complete. It will be a blessing to live so close to our church and, most importantly, close to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

I also invite you to join us next Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the church for “An Afternoon with the Artist,” featuring Mindaugas Vytis, the artist of our beautiful mosaics and stained glass. This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear the stories behind his work and to deepen our appreciation for the beauty that enriches our worship. Truth, beauty and goodness speak to the depth of our human spirit. Beauty leads us deeper into the mystery of God’s love and care. This should be a great afternoon to soak in God’s beauty in our church by spending time with the creator artist.

May the joy of Easter continue to fill your hearts and homes.

Continued Easter blessings.