From our pastor, Father Neil Herlihy
This Sunday we celebrate Easter Sunday. We proclaim the glory of the Resurrection. The suffering of the cross gives way to the glory of the Resurrection. Just as we share in the suffering of Christ in this life, we hope to one day share in His glory. Through his Resurrection, Jesus has conquered sin. He has conquered death. This is the message of his Good News. This is the message of Easter, and Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, invites us to wholeheartedly embrace this message. He stated, “With one voice, in every part of the world, we proclaim the great message: the Lord is truly risen, as He said! May Jesus, who vanquished the darkness of sin and death, grant peace to our days.”
The following “EASTER SUNDAY PRAYER” provided by the “Catholic Saints” website reflects the sentiments of Our Holy Father:
GOD OUR FATHER, BY RAISING CHRIST YOUR SON,
YOU CONQUERED THE POWER OF DEATH AND OPENED THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE.
LET OUR CELEBRATION TODAY RAISE US UP AND RENEW OUR LIVES BY THE SPIRIT THAT IS WITHIN US.
GRANT THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU
AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.
YOU CONQUERED THE POWER OF DEATH AND OPENED THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE.
LET OUR CELEBRATION TODAY RAISE US UP AND RENEW OUR LIVES BY THE SPIRIT THAT IS WITHIN US.
GRANT THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU
AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.
As we reflect on this prayer, with a renewed spirit, we welcome all to our vibrant Parish community. We especially welcome all those who have completed a thorough period of inquiry, education and catechesis and who have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, or the Eucharist for the first time at our Easter Vigil Mass. They have freely chosen, at various times in their faith journey, to embrace the Catholic faith. They are invited to go forth and preach the Good News of Jesus by word and example. We also welcome those who do not attend our Church on a regular basis. We invite you to become part of our community of faith, to take a risk and step out of your comfort zones. You will be welcomed. But you will also be challenged to be a better person, challenged to be a better Christian, challenged to be a better disciple, challenged to truly get closer spiritually to the Lord and trust in Him. As we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, we are all challenged to more fully embrace and truly live the faith that we boldly proclaim.
I want to thank all those staff members and volunteers who worked so diligently to enhance the reverence of our sacred liturgies during Holy Week, and all those who participated in our liturgies and activities. I also want to thank all of our parishioners who do so much to enhance the spiritual vitality of our faith community. I wish you and your families a holy, happy and healthy Easter season.