Dear Parishioners,

Despite being unable to celebrate it together at Easter Mass, in our new Easter clothes, with Easter eggs, jelly beans and chocolate – despite being unable to gather with family and friends for an Easter meal and family time—despite it being an Easter like no other – the fact of the matter is that

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS TRULY RISEN!

What we celebrate is the RESURRECTION—and that has happened for sure!
It doesn’t need the clothes and chocolate and jelly beans and eggs – in fact, as hard as this is for me to say – it doesn’t even need the Mass to make it true!
It has happened, and as a result, our world is RENEWED!

Christ’s Resurrection is the CONQUEST of LIFE over DEATH – LIGHT over DARKNESS

We know all too well, that we have to experience GOOD FRIDAY to get to EASTER SUNDAY – that we have to experience the pain and the struggle and the sacrifice. And this year we have experienced all that in ways that we did not expect. But the message of EASTER – even if its celebration needs to be delayed this year – is that after the isolation and uncertainty, and even after the sickness and the unfortunate death of some – GOD REIGNS!

This year the spirit of HOLY SATURDAY lasts longer than usual. The spirit of Holy Saturday is a spirit of silent calm – a spirit of stillness. We’ve known that spirit now for a month – and it will continue longer. But at the end of it, the activity will begin again, we will gather to worship, family gatherings will happen. LIFE WILL RETURN—even for those who have gone to Eternal Life.

JESUS SHOWED US THAT IN HIS RESURRECTION!

Praised be the name of Jesus Christ now and forever!
HAPPY EASTER!
Fr. Tom