Letter from the Pastor
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April 17, 2022Happy and Blessed Easter! Welcome to all who are with us this morning. It is so good to have all of you here, our families, our visitors and guests; all of God’s holy people under one roof, once again.
Today should be for us the most joyful day of the year. St. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, announces in this famous Easter sermon, "Let all then enter the joy of Our Lord!” So joyful, so overwhelming, so encompassing is Easter that for the next eight days (octave) is celebrated as the one day! The structure, prayers, even the double Alleluia, is repeated at every Mass.
Christian history reaches its highest point in the Resurrection of Christ on this day. It is because of today, that life is worth living. There is nothing to be afraid of in the risen Jesus.
This greatest feast is our hope and joy. It is because of the feast that we can wake up each morning joyful, knowing that at life’s most difficult moments, our God was there before us and knows as one of us what it’s like. For the worst has already happened, but it has been restored; and all will be well.
It is good for us to be here and renewed in our faith. And no matter what may happen to us in this life, there is nothing that can ever separate us from the love of God, no sin, no person, and no personal tragedy—nothing can conquer us or enslave us ever again. We are God’s children, with a dignity and respect that no one can take away from us. And that is worth celebrating for at least 50 days, if not a lifetime.
Happy Easter, Jesus Christ is Risen from the dead;
He is truly Risen, Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Blessed Easter to you and your family, from your Priests and Staff:
Bheannaigh Cásca! Gesegnete Ostern!
Buona e santa Pasqua a tutti!
Feliz Pascua de Resurrección!
