So, how is your Easter season?  Are you even aware that we are still celebrating?  We are at the end of Week 4 and I loved last Sunday - Good Shepherd Sunday! 

Have you been listening to the words of our Holy Father during his visit?  I have only had a chance to watch the Evening Prayer and address last night with the bishops.  As you may know, his theme for this visit is "Christ our hope."  A phrase he said last night stood out to me: "…find new life in Christ our hope."  New life.  After lent have you found new life in Christ?  Is there a sense of living a new hope?  Being re-created in Christ?  Being a new creature?  Experiencing new life?

I invite you to be open to the grace of this visit of our Holy Father, our shepherd here on earth.  Let the Lord speak to you through his words [1].  Even if you miss the live delivery, you can still return to it later. 

Tonight I depart with a group of 55 young people and adults to journey to New York to see Pope Benedict XVI!  Please pray for us and a safe journey.  Please pray that all are open to the grace being poured out on us, on our country!  We will listen to his message at the youth rally on April 19th, his anniversary of being elected to the pontificate.

Whatever you may be experiencing, may you find new life in Christ.  A new hope.  He never lets go [2]of you!  You are loved!