Today, we celebrate Easter Sunday and the Resurrection of Jesus. In an Easter message in 2024, as reported by the media outlet “Vatican News”, Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, stated, “Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is risen! Only the risen Christ, by granting us the forgiveness of our sins, opens the way for a renewed world.” Pope Francis further noted, “On this day when we celebrate the life given to us in the Resurrection of the Son, let us remember the infinite love of God for each of us: a love that overcomes every limit and every weakness.”
As we reflect on these profound words of Our Holy Father, in a world growing more and more secular, we are challenged to strive to focus on the infinite love of God and on the heavenly kingdom that awaits those who are faithful. Pope Francis calls on us to live for Christ, to love for Christ, to take risks for Christ, and to witness for Christ. When we embrace this call, we can show by our witness and by our actions that we are truly the body of Christ, the community of hope, and the Easter people of faith.
At Easter, 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.
On this Easter Sunday, we welcome all to our vibrant Parish community. We especially welcome our large number of men, women, and children who have completed a thorough period of inquiry, education, and catechesis and will be receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, or the Eucharist for the first time. During their period of study, they have grown closer together, and they will be invited to go forth and preach the Good News of Jesus by word and example.
We also welcome all those who are attending our Church for the first time and those who do not attend our Church on a regular basis. We invite you to become part of our community of faith.
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all who participated in our Holy Week liturgies and other services and activities. As we celebrate this day, I also want to thank you for all that you do to enhance the spiritual vitality of our wonderful Parish, and on behalf of our priests, deacons, and staff, I wish you and your families a holy, happy, and healthy Easter season.