Dear Parish Family,
I write this note to you on March 27th – the day before Holy Week begins. I find myself getting fired up with enthusiasms as the staff, clergy and volunteers run around making last minute changes and additions to our liturgies, the music, and the environment. This year our tech team also plays a major role in the celebrations of this most holy season. Due to social distancing, our seating capacity is dramatically reduced so the live streaming of the liturgies is extremely important.
The Easter season is the most exciting time in our Church year. Everything of who we are, what we do, why we gather, is based on Christ’s resurrection from the tomb. The 40 days of Lent are meant to prepare us for the celebration of what the empty tomb represents. All the liturgies, Lenten mission, penance services, the Formed digital program, weekly stations of the cross, and your private readings are meant to help us be ready for the enormity of what we celebrate at Easter.
The Lenten journey opens our eyes and hearts to the depth of our Easter celebration and season. We enter the season with humility and awe as we try to wrap our minds around the sacrifice he made for us. We enter with joy at the amazing gift we have received through Easter. We enter the season with pride knowing we are His children and that He will be with us always. And finally, we enter the season with a deep sense of gratitude for the many blessings our loving God bestows on His people today, tomorrow and always.
St. John Paul wrote; we know Jesus has conquered sin and passed through his own pain to the glory of the Resurrection. And we live in the light of his Paschal Mystery - the mystery of his Death and Resurrection. “We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!”. We are not looking for a shallow joy but rather a joy that comes from faith, that grows through unselfish love.
Happy Easter everyone. May God bless you for your fidelity and generosity.
Peace,
Fr. Rick