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Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021

Dear Friends,

After battling our sinful inclinations for 40 days, we gathered in community to share the wondrous gift of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper and venerated the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, accompanying his lifeless body to the tomb. Today, we REJOICE in receiving the incomparable gift of LIFE through the Resurrection of Jesus!

We are now truly filled with “the joys of the Sunday of the resurrection with uplifted and responsive minds” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 110). Our many and varied spiritual exercises during the 40 days of Lent prepared us well to receive the blessed experience of true EASTER JOY.

And that joy is two-fold, having accompanied and prayed for our Catechumens, now “Neophytes” (newly initiated Catholics), who entered the waters of the baptismal font during the Easter Vigil, signifying their willingness to die to sin and death and emerge anew in the life of the Risen Lord. Congratulations to Danielle Bologna and Danielle Pastor for their commitment and perseverance through the RCIA process. We welcome Michael Combs, now in full communion with the Catholic Church, and Genevieve Pastor, who received the Sacrament of Baptism during the Vigil. Thank you to their sponsors and, most especially, to Terry Tagye for leading them in preparation for this profound experience.

ALLELUIA is the song we’ve been waiting to sing, and now we can intone that ancient exhortation of our forebearers in faith with conviction. Let our lungs be filled to overflowing … the time to sing has come! Yes, indeed, ALLELUIA is our song! Let us, then, sing it joyfully. 

ALLELUIA! JESUS CHRIST IS TRULY RISEN FROM THE DEAD!  

On behalf of Fr. John Patrick, the deacons, and the staff, I wish you all a VERY HAPPY EASTER!

May you and your loved ones be filled with the GRACE, GLORY, AND JOY of the RESURRECTION!

Be Blessed!

With love, Fr. John