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From the Pastor's Desk: April 9, 2023
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From the Pastor’s Desk: April 9, 2023
Jesus our Lord is Risen! Alleluia!
It is with great joy that we gather this resurrected morning to celebrate Easter - the greatest festival of our faith that brings to fulfillment the essence of our belief that God’s love is stronger than death! Jesus, condemned to death, scourged, mocked, and crowned with thorns, jeered when He died on the cross, is risen and alive! Today the Truth we celebrate changes the entire concept of life. The victory of life over death, light over darkness, joy over sadness, hope over despair; the victory of peace and love over discord and hate is now our own experience. The Risen Lord invites us to make everything new again in our lives and to believe that Jesus has been raised and the call to become His beloved disciples is now ours.
In the joy of the Easter celebration, with the message of the Resurrection and commissioned by Jesus to share that Truth with each other, we ought to proclaim that only in Christ life is worth living. This is our call as disciples and messengers of the Risen Lord, to bring His message to every person, household, community- and to the world, that the power of the Risen Christ, who through His Church lifts people from their miseries, revives hope, joy, and happiness to those who thought that all was lost. The Risen Lord brings fulfillment of truth to people who live in lies of confusing messages of the world, and protects the safety and integrity of His own people, especially now, when our freedom, moral values, conscience, and peace are being threatened by the secularization of our society. Today we share in the belief that the happiness and truth of the Resurrection can never be dimmed or taken away from us, but by our faithfulness and witness continue to bring its message to people everywhere!
A word of sincere welcome to our brothers and sisters who through the process of RCIA, entered at the Easter Vigil into full communion with the Catholic Church. I pray that you will forever appreciate the Easter Mystery in a very profound way and together with all the faithful proclaim the truth that “He is Risen!”
In February, we were invited to participate in the Stewardship Renewal of Time, Talent and Treasure. We were asked to fill out a commitment card with our own plan to support the initiative. We have collected about 450 commitment cards which we used at the Easter Vigil to start the new fire. This new fire gave flame to the Paschal Candle which burns brightly and offers us a powerful reminder of our commitment to our parish community and an incredible opportunity to walk confidently in the shining light of Christ Jesus.
This Easter, we have a gift for all who came to worship with us – the book “The Wisdom of the Saints” by Matthew Kelly. This book is an invitation to become friends with some of the greatest men and women who have ever lived. As you read it, “You will encounter the voices of the saints, their greatest insights into how to live well, their most inspiring wisdom for growing in virtue, and their most powerful advice for stepping into the heart of God. No man becomes great on his own. No woman becomes great on her own. We all need people in our lives who inspire us, show us what is possible, raise our standards, remind us of our essential purpose, and challenge us to become the best-version-of-ourselves. This book will help you to step into a new and ever-deepening friendship with the saints so that you may know, love, and serve God like never before.”
The Resurrection is the feast of joy, hope, and peace. In the spirit of Easter joy, filled with the peace of Christ, I extend on behalf of Fr. Jaison, Deacon Steve, and the entire staff of our parish- best of wishes and sincere prayers to all of you. May the gifts of the Resurrection fill your hearts and accompany you every moment of your faithful lives. Let us welcome it with joyful songs and prayers and greet one another by the triumphant cry of the angel, echoed by the apostles: “The Lord is Risen!“
A Blessed Easter to all of you! Alleluia!!!!!
With prayers,
Fr. Andy
