Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

Now, in the Easter season, it is a good time to share your faith with others. Wish them a Happy Easter; offer the Paschal greeting (Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed. Alleluia.); and talk about how we are saved in Christ by his death and Resurrection. It is also good to give witness to the faith by how you live your life - especially by serving others as Jesus taught us to do at the Last Supper (Cf. Jn 13:1-17). When Lent ends, we are not supposed to simply revert back to how things were before, but rather to recognize those spiritual gains from our Lenten practices and apply them in our lives and communities.
 

Now is also a good time to invite others to become Catholic if they are not. As I mentioned in my Easter Vigil homily, the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process - the preparing for the sacraments of initiation - can take a year for classes and other discussion. So starting now would help someone be prepared for next year's Easter celebration. I encourage you to go out and ask people why they are not Catholic, and share with them the reasons you are. Have discussions about how the fullness of faith is in the Catholic Church; that it is the Church founded by Christ and entrusted to His apostles and their successors. Do your best to answer their questions. I would love to know what reasons people give for not being Catholic, and would appreciate if you share your experiences with me. I would also be happy to help you answer any questions or objections they might present to you.
 

May we all be brought together to unity in Jesus, as He Himself has prayed (Cf. Jn 17:20-23).
 

Peace in Christ,

Father Timothy