GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE
April 5, 2026
Easter Sunday
John 20:1-9
Zander Price was the fastest kid at my grade school. He won every race on Field Day. To me, his swiftness meant he was the greatest. Zander was the best.
It’s the same with the speediest Apostle on Easter morning. John tells us he “ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first.” (John 20:4) But only after Peter entered did John go in, see the burial cloths, and believe. Here is a symbol of two dimensions of the Church. John, the beloved disciple, represents the contemplative, mystical life: affection, prayer, intimacy. Peter, the rock, represents the Church’s institutional life: steady, authoritative, structured…but slower.
Of course, John runs faster! Love is the heartbeat of Christian faith, so love will always arrive first. Peter’s role is, in a sense, secondary. He arrives later, but is still very much needed. John waits for him. The Church must be built, balanced, protected, and led. Love without structure can vanish; structure without love becomes lifeless.
This dynamic is not just historical — it is personal. In you, there is a John who longs to run to the tomb in love. Let him run! Pray, sing, love Jesus. There is also a Peter, who eventually gets to the tomb and takes charge. The Risen Christ wants both. Remember: if you want to get to the mystery of Jesus’ resurrection fast…love him, for love is best.
— Father John Muir
PRAYER – FOR EVERYDAY AND EVERYBODY
Easter Blessing
Dear Lord,
Where there has been death, bring new life! Renew and redeem the sorrow in our stories with Your goodness and grace. Bless our hearts and homes this Easter and always. Amen.
Devotions, Explained! Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Explained The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is an intercessory prayer invoking God’s mercy on the world, utilizing words drawn from the text of The Diary of St. Faustina Maria Kowalska. St. Faustina was a Polish nun who received visions of Christ imploring her to spread the message of his Divine Mercy, specifically through the recitation of this chaplet.
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is prayed using an ordinary five-decade Rosary. To begin, make the Sign of the Cross, then pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Apostles’ Creed. On each of the large beads (where the Our Father is said), pray: “Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.” On each of the 10 smaller beads (used for the Hail Mary), pray: “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” This pattern is repeated for all five decades of the Rosary. To conclude the chaplet, pray three times: “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”
WELCOME ONE AND ALL TO NORTH AMERICAN MARTYRS PARISH
Our Mission Statement:
We, the North American Martyrs Parish, a strong community of faith, Nourished by the Holy Eucharist, Guided by the Holy Spirit and Trusting in the grace of God, Dedicate ourselves to live God’s Word and Let the light of Christ shine through our Community. We strive to provide sound religious formation for people of all ages; To care for the spiritual, social well-being of one another With particular attention to the stranger and the poor in our midst.
“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ John 20:21
Upcoming Events
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
KEEP KIDS SAFE-ABUSE AWARENESS TRAINING
Did you know? The Diocese of Manchester requires all those who work with children and youth in our parishes, schools, and camps to complete "safe environment" training. This training teaches adults to recognize, and report suspected abuse and boundary violations. Training is offered free of charge to all NH Catholic adults and is available online at https://mancheser.cmgconnect.org
For more information about child safety, visit www.catholicnh.org/safety
- Prayer for Victims of Abuse
Christ calls each of us to reach out to victims of abuse in their time of need. Sometimes it is difficult to know how to help, but one effective way of expressing care and concern is through prayer. Please commit to praying on a regular basis for victims of abuse, particularly those abused by clergy or others representing the Catholic Church.
Prayer of Healing for Victims of Abuse
God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong,
always present, always just:
You gave your only Son to save us by the blood of his cross.
Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace, join to your own suffering
the pain of all who have been hurt in body, mind, and spirit
by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.
Hear our cries as we agonize over the harm done to our brothers and sisters. Breathe wisdom into our prayers, soothe restless hearts with hope,
steady shaken spirits with faith:
Show us the way to justice and wholeness, enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy.
Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts, heal your people’s wounds
and transform our brokenness.
Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace, so that we may act with justice and find peace in you.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
If you have experienced abuse by someone representing the Catholic Church, you are encouraged to contact the diocesan Coordinator of Healing and Pastoral Care at 603-669-3100.