From the Pastor – April 18, 2021

“ALMIGHTY GOD, YOU GIVE US THE JOY OF CELEBRATING OUR LORD’S RESURRECTION. GIVE US ALSO THE JOYS OF LIFE IN YOUR SERVICE, AND BRING US AT LAST TO THE FULL JOY OF LIFE ETERNAL.” (A Triduum Sourcebook, III, p. 482).
While the resurrection of Jesus has certainly changed our lives, the church, and the world, it is also supposed to energize us so that we can respond to the needs of others with a new attitude. The resurrection helps us to recognize that the gifts we are and the gifts we have are meant to help others experience the new life of the Risen Lord. This is how the world can be renewed so that it reflects the joy of new life that the Lord has gained for all of us. The resurrection requires faith in the Risen Lord and a willingness to share this faith with all we meet. In today’s Gospel, the apostles had difficulty believing that Jesus had risen until he appeared to them. While we do not have the opportunity to see the resurrected Jesus in person, we recognize  him in the Word, the signs and wonders around us, and in each other. There are a number of people who helped make Easter the glorious feast that it is. THANK YOU to PASQUALE and ANGELA MAZZACUVA & RITA LOMBARDI, for washing the church windows; MATT & TINA KJELLE,  for cleaning and sanitizing the church; PAT SULLIVAN,  for setting up the church for Easter and for organizing  the Holy Thursday “Breads of the World” loaves of bread collection; DAN PALKO, THE CANTORS AND THE ENSEMBLE for enhancing  our worship with music and  song; CLAIRE BERNSTEIN and JOANNE ROETHLIN for organizing the Helping the Hungry Good Friday food collection; KENN FERNANDEZ, for live-streaming the Easter Vigil and 10:30AM Mass; POTTED GERANIUM, for the beautiful flowers that adorn our altar and church; and ALL OF YOU, who were present – either virtually or in person – for the Vigil and Easter Masses, for your gifts to us priests, and your positive comments about how beautifully the church is decorated. If I have forgotten  anyone, it was not intentional. You are why I am proud and privilged to serve you as your pastor.  GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!HAPPY EASTER SEASON!! FR. JOE