I wish you peace and all good things in the powerful name of the risen Christ. The resurrection teaches us that justice and mercy prevail over violence, sin, and suffering. It shows us that God is real, God is love, and God is good. Through the power of this goodness, we can participate in the healing of this world and see eternal life break into this life.
 
Please save the dates of 
 
Sunday, April 22, when we hold our coffee table.
 
Saturday, April 28, a day of recollection on JPIC and evangelization at the Church of Saint John the Baptist.
 
Monday, May 7, when we hold our next monthly meeting.
 
Sunday, May 20, when we take part in the parish ministry fair.
 
Here is an update on activities and projects. 
 
Care for Creation
 
Our study group is having great conversations about ecology. Our discussions have generated a few ideas for parish action. We will continue meeting every other Thursday until May 31. Look for Catholic ecological resources at the coffee table on April 22, which is Earth Day!
 
Homelessness and Housing
 
Come out this spring for our days of street outreach. Join us on Saturday, April 21, at 10 a.m. for another walk around Inwood’s streets. We will listen to the homeless people we meet and learn what they need. On Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m., we will walk through Inwood and give out sandwiches, clothing, and other basic necessities to the homeless. The next working group meeting is Wednesday, April 11, 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Room. Contact Alba Fresco, amfresco@gmail.com.
 
Immigration
 
We are looking for volunteers to start a working group. There is another woman, Aura Hernandez, who has taken sanctuary in Manhattan. She is living at Fourth Universalist Society on the Upper West Side. We pray for her as we continue to pray for Amanda Morales and her three children who live at Holyrood Episcopal Church. If you want to visit to Amanda or Aura, please contact Brother Anthony.
 
Rezoning and Library
 
Please attend the public hearing with Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer on the Inwood rezoning plan. It will be on Tuesday, April 10, 6 p.m. at I.S. 218 (Salome Ureña) on 4600 Broadway. Thanks to all who are leading community efforts to preserve affordable housing in Inwood. The rezoning working group will continue to educate and mobilize the parish at key moments of the rezoning review process. Please join! Contact Graham Ciraulo, gciraulo86@gmail.com.
 
Day of Recollection
 
Last October we held a social justice retreat to bring our JPIC ministry to birth. We welcomed parishioners from Holy Cross-Saint John the Baptist, the Capuchin parish in Midtown. I have been asked to give a day of recollection on April 28 at Church of St. John the Baptist on social justice and evangelization and the gifts God gives us to work for justice. You are invited to join me. Please let me know if you would like to participate.
 
Coffee Table and Ministry Fair
 
Our JPIC coffee table is around the corner—Sunday, April 22. You all did a great job in January as bakers, greeters, recruiters, and servers. We need your help again! We need assistance with setup from 8 to 9 a.m. and cleanup from 1:30 to 2 p.m. We need people to sign up for an hour (or two) to greet others, serve refreshments, and recruit to JPIC activities (9 o’clock, 10 o’clock, 11 o’clock, 12 o’clock, 1 o’clock). Please contact Brother Anthony to volunteer.
 
Finally, JPIC will be a part of the parish ministry fair on Pentecost Sunday, May 20. All the groups, ministries, and societies of the parish will participate. This was our idea. Let’s show up and make our ministry visible to others! We hope that this exhibit of the good works of Good Shepherd will help bring our community together in ways that make us a stronger witness to the Gospel of liberation and life.