Today we celebrate Easter Sunday and the Resurrection of Jesus. In an Easter message, as reported by the media outlet “Vatican News”, Our Holy Father, Pope Francis stated, “Brothers, sisters, may we rediscover the enjoyment of the journey, quicken the heartbeat of hope and experience a foretaste of the beauty of heaven! Today, let us summon the energy to advance in goodness towards Goodness itself, which never disappoints…May you, the Lord of life, encourage us on our journey and repeat to us, as you did to the disciples on the evening of Easter: ‘Peace be with you!’”
Today, our Holy Father invites us to embrace this message. In a world growing more and more secular, we are challenged to strive to focus 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 all those 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. 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.