He did it: Christ is risen. He kept his promises. The Resurrection of Jesus is our life now. We know our future. St. Paul says that “if there is no resurrection our faith is in vain.”
He also makes this proclamation: “Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”
Easter Season: It’s one long feast! There are fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost. We celebrate in joyful exaltation. The Gospel readings for the first three Sundays recount the appearances of the risen Christ. The first reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. It’s amazing how the apostles had the courage to spread the faith after being afraid before. The Church grew through the power the Holy Spirit. The apostles literally turned the world upside down with the news of the Resurrection.
Thank You: Thanks to Jim Otis and his crew for the decoration of our Church. They always do a splendid job. I also want to thank Maddie White for her work with RCIA and all the twenty parishioners who received the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil. What a glorious evening!
Charlie Brown: Our school children are performing, “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” this Friday evening at 7 pm and on Saturday at 2 pm. We invite you to attend. Both events are in the parish hall. It’s been awhile since the school put on a play. The school is emphasizing the arts more and more.
Trumpet blast: Speaking of our school and the arts, our school auction is Saturday, May 20. We are trying to raise money for a new band. Please contact the school office if you are interested in attending. This is a fun and enjoyable evening.
Getting Ready: First Communion Masses will be the first two weekends of May. This Thursday, however, we are having a dinner with all the First Communion children and their parents. This is an enjoyable evening as the children are so excited about the gift God has for them.
My great-nephew Gus: Speaking of First Communion, my niece’s family lives in Indianapolis and attends St. Luke’s Catholic Church. My godson and great-nephew Augustine (Gus) is receiving his first Holy Communion this Saturday. I’ll be heading down there on Friday and coming back Saturday evening. Augustine told his parents he wants to be a priest. He often will pretend he is a priest and celebrate Mass when his grandparents come to town. We’ll see what happens!
With love and prayers for a blessed Easter season full of hope and joy,
Msgr. Jerry
Some great quotes on the resurrection:
• “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 this be overcome by Love that is stronger than either sin or death.” (Archbishop Fulton Sheen)
• “O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages.” (St. John Chrysostom)
• “In fact, everything that exists and moves in the Church – the sacraments, doctrine, institutions – draws its strength from Christ’s Resurrection.” (Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, Life in Christ)