My Dear Sisters and Brothers,

There are moments that happen that we never seem to forget. These events in our lives seem to have much more power and emotional impact than others.  These moments and these events change the course of our history and are the moments by which we measure all others!  These moments define who we are, and shape who we become.  Often these defining moments and events are packed with drama, emotion and meaning.

The Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is a defining moment in the life of Jesus. In fact, the Resurrection is a defining moment in the life of the Church.    The Resurrection is a defining moment in the history of the world!  It is such a powerful moment that time is measured from it, either Before Christ or After Christ.  The Church counts it as the Most Sacred Event that has ever happened, as Jesus overcomes the power of death and sin to make our life with God possible.

As we gather this Easter morning, we can only imagine the thoughts and the feelings of the Apostles as they race to the tomb that first Easter morning.  Confusion!  Fear!     Puzzlement!  and most likely also, Excitement!  After all, they could be running into a trap set by the officials.  They could be pawns in a political move designed to discredit Jesus and His disciples once and for all.  Or, just maybe, it might be what they hoped for, but dared not believe nor even to mention to one another.  Maybe it is true after all what the women said the angel told them.  Maybe, just maybe, He is risen!

Our faith too races to the tomb this Easter morning.    You and I, we have our own questions, our own doubts, our own fears, our own concerns, especially in view of all the headlines these past two months.  There is room enough and grace enough for them all.  Human wisdom and knowledge cannot grasp in a single instant the wonder of the Resurrection.     I am not sure it can truly grasp the meaning of the Resurrection of Jesus in a whole lifetime.  But faith's vision reassures us that sin and death have lost the battle.  The empty tomb points to the Risen Lord!     

The words inscribed over Jesus' tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem seem to shock us when we visit there--not only shock us, but haunt us:  "Non est hinc!   Resurrexit sicut dixit!"    (He is not here!    He is risen as He said!)

But that is where faith may linger.  The work of faith is not the adoration of an empty tomb.  Rather, the work of faith is proclaiming the Good News of Jesus:  the words He spoke, the message of comfort and hope He left us, the things He did, and the fact that He did rise from the dead as He said He would.     By word and by deed we must give witness to the saving work of the Lord.  Such words actions by us will speak as loudly as

St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Community is much more than just a Catholic Parish.  Rather, it is an integral part of the Catholic Christian Familial Community of Los Angeles.  And, it is home for repenting sinners who gather together with care and concern for one and for all.  We worship together, we work together, we cry and struggle together, we laugh together, we pray together, and we try reaching out to all around us, especially to those with needs: the poor and homeless, the handicapped and disabled, the lonely and the despairing, the old and the young, the young married and the old married, the weak and the strong.

One and all are invited, in fact, are encouraged, to enter into the life and activities of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Community.  No one is excluded!  All are welcome!  New faces and new ideas are always welcome and needed!  In fact, all are needed so that we can become all that we can be!     

Come by the Parish Pastoral Office to get acquainted and find out about our many ministries and activities.  Become a part of who we are!