RISEN: On behalf of our parish staff, Happy Easter everyone!!! Today’s Gospel comes from the early morning discover by Mary Magdalene that the tomb is empty. He is risen from the dead. Death no longer has any sting. I’ve mentioned a few times that there is the veil of the face of Jesus in a Church in Manopello, Italy. It’s what they believe is the “cloth that had covered his head” among the burial cloths when Peter and John went into the tomb. On the veil Jesus’ mouth and eyes are open. He was dead but now is alive. May all of us experience the greatest joy and peace knowing that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. And may we tell others the greatest of all news.
Congrats: So, so happy for all the candidates and catechumens who went through the Rite of Christian Initiation and received the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil. They are a tremendous blessing for our Church.
Imagine: I can’t express enough my deepest hope that you watch the movie I Can Only Imagine now playing in cinemas. It’s based on the story of how the song I Can Only Imagine came to be. It’s a message of mercy, hope, forgiveness and redemption. I loved the movie and hope to watch it again.
St. Paul: I haven’t seen the movie on St. Paul currently playing in cinemas as well, but people who have seen it really enjoyed it. I hope we all get to see it. It’s amazing that the Lord chose the one who persecuted Christians the most to spread his love and mercy throughout the world.
Knights: Last weekend the Knights of Columbus raised over $7,100 by conducting their biannual Tootsie Roll Drive. The money will be used in support of People with Intellectual Disabilities. Thanks to all of you who participated.
Celebrate: Just a reminder that the Easter season lasts 50 days culminating in the Feast of Pentecost on May 20. This should be a time of great rejoicing!!! During the Easter season we will conclude our Liturgy with the prayer of the Holy Spirit.
Creed: Also during the Easter season we are going to profess the Apostles Creed rather than our usual Nicene Creed. The Apostles Creed is the one that most people are used to, since it’s part of the Rosary. It’s bound to be confusing for a little while, and it’s okay if we mess up.
Thanks: Thank you to all the music ministers, servers, liturgical ministers, staff and the arts and environment team for all their hard work and dedication to make our liturgies and Church beautiful during the Triduum.
Vacation: Our school will be closed during the Easter break. Hope all our students and staff enjoy a welldeserved break.
Favor: If we don’t have your email address and you want to be informed on the building project and other important items, can you please send your email to Nicole Urbanik at nurbanik@hfgb.org. Thanks! I hope to develop a regular update on what’s happening.
Divine Mercy: Next Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday. The message is quite simple. Jesus appeared to St. Faustina so that she may be a conduit of God’s divine mercy for the world.
Vacation: Fr. Dan will be gone this week on vacation. Hope he enjoys the time of relaxation.
Hope you enjoy Easter with your family and are filled with hope and joy.
In Christ’s love,
Msgr. Jerry
Some quotes on the resurrection of Jesus:
“The Gospel of Easter is very clear: we need to go back there, to see Jesus risen, and to become witnesses of his Resurrection. This is not to go back in time; it is not a kind of nostalgia. It is returning to our first love, in order to receive the fire which Jesus has kindled in the world and to bring that fire to all people, to the very ends of the earth.” (Pope Francis)
“Faith in the Resurrection of Jesus says that there is a future for every human being; the cry for unending life which is a part of the person is indeed answered.” (Pope Benedict XVI)
“The Cross had asked the questions; the Resurrection had answered them…The Cross had asked: “Why does God permit evil and sin to nail Justice to a tree?” The Resurrection answered: “That sin, having done its worst, might exhaust itself and thus be overcome by Love that is stronger than either sin or death.” (Archbishop Fulton Sheen)