In the April edition of Faith in Action:
🙏 Fr. Mase & Fr. St. Denis get together to discuss the importance of good and holy friendship
💡 DYK: Easter lasts a whole FIFTY days?!
🎙️ Bishop Senior shares his annual Diocesan Easter update
🏀 A great season for our student-athletes, including two state championships!
🕯️ A record-breaking number of people entered the Church this Easter
❤️ Learn about Divine Mercy Sunday, the Sunday after Easter
A faithful friend is more than a companion, but a gift that draws us closer to God.
In this month’s Scripture & Reflection, Fr. Andrew St. Denis and Fr. Cole Mase reflect on Sirach’s wisdom and the difference between surface-level connections and true, virtuous friendship. In a world longing for real connection, discover how God uses friendship to lead us deeper in faith.
Hallelujah! He is Risen!
Indeed, this Good News is worthy of celebration -- and it is born out in the liturgical calendar of the Church. While we just spent 40 days in the penitential season of Lent, we now spend 50 days in the celebratory season of Easter!Some interesting and important facts about Eastertide:
- Begins with the octave of Easter, starting Easter Sunday
- Includes Divine Mercy Sunday, the Sunday following Easter and the end of the octave
- Lasts for 50 days, culminating on Pentecost
- Catholics are obliged to receive Communion (in a state of grace) at least once between Easter Sunday and Trinity Sunday.
🎙️ A Reflection on Holy Week
w/Bishop Timothy Senior
As the beginning of Holy Week, Bishop Timothy Senior joined Michael Parks of WHP580 for a thoughtful conversation on the meaning of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection. This annual Easter episode invites you to slow down and enter more deeply into the heart of the season. Tune in for insight, perspective, and a renewed sense of hope.
🏅 Built on Faith, Driven to Win: Highlights from an Incredible Season
From buzzer-beaters to record-breaking performances, it’s been an unforgettable season for our Diocesan student-athletes. Championship titles, state medals, and hard-fought postseason runs highlighted the dedication, teamwork, and resilience on display across our schools. From the Seven Sorrows girls’ CYO state title to standout performances from Bishop McDevitt, Trinity, Lourdes Regional, and more, our athletes competed with excellence and integrity.
To learn more about Catholic education in the Diocese, visit www.hbgdiocese.org/catholic-schools
✝️ A Quiet Sign of Hope: Why This Easter Tells a Different Story About the Catholic Church
by Bishop Timothy Senior
You've probably heard the headlines — faith is fading, churches are emptying. But this Easter, 265 people in our Diocese entered the waters of Baptism, were sealed with the Holy Spirit in Confirmation and received the Eucharist for the first time. That's not decline. That's the Church doing exactly what she's always done. Read Bishop Senior's reflection on why this Easter is a quiet, powerful sign of hope.
Featured Events
💙 Diocesan Men's Conference
Saturday, April 18th
🚴 Biking for Babies
Sunday, April 25th
🙏 Unafraid: Out of the Upper Room
(Young Adult Retreat)
Friday, May 22nd - Sunday, May 24th
Celebrated each year on the Sunday after Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday highlights the heart of the Gospel: God’s boundless love and mercy for every person. The feast was inspired by revelations to St. Faustina Kowalska in the 1930s and was officially established by St. John Paul II in 2000.
On this day, the Church invites us to trust more deeply in God’s mercy, especially through the Sacraments of Confession and the Eucharist. Jesus promised extraordinary graces to those who turn to Him with sincere hearts, reminding us that no sin is greater than His mercy.
Divine Mercy Sunday is a powerful reminder that, no matter where we’ve been, God’s love is always ready to meet us, heal us, and make us new.
On this day, the Church invites us to trust more deeply in God’s mercy, especially through the Sacraments of Confession and the Eucharist. Jesus promised extraordinary graces to those who turn to Him with sincere hearts, reminding us that no sin is greater than His mercy.
Divine Mercy Sunday is a powerful reminder that, no matter where we’ve been, God’s love is always ready to meet us, heal us, and make us new.
Faith in Action is the Diocese of Harrisburg's monthly newsletter. Each month, we share a timely Scriptural reflection, a few key highlights from the previous month, upcoming Diocesan events, and more!
We pray these reflections and resources help you as you encounter Jesus Christ, and help others to encounter Jesus through you!