As I compose this column for the Easter Sunday bulletin (on Tuesday, March 23) there is not surprisingly, some uncertainties about whether there will be any relaxation of the protocols we have followed inside our church facilities for almost a year. Needless to say, it will surely be an Easter FAR DIFFERENT from last year when we were not able to gather together in person to celebrate with joy the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and what that means to us who truly believe in the new and eternal life Jesus won for us through his passion, death, and resurrection. I recall sitting in an empty church on Easter Sunday morning with rain falling outside and trying to celebrate in my heart the resurrectioin of Jesus without presiding at Masses filled with people who had been renewed by their Lenten practices at home and at church and happily renewed their baptismal promises. Thankfully we were able to start having public Mass before the Easter season was over (May 9 and 10) though it was anything but "normal" with all of safety protocols in place due to the coronavirus. This Easter is still not "normal," but I hope and pray that we have let the Lord strengthen us with his spirit throughout this "unprecedented" year and lift us up when we were down and tempted to stay down.
While I know in advance that we won't have the normal numbers of people coming to Mass on Easter, I am prepared to do what I can, with your assistance to welcome back during the long 50 day Easter Season those who have not been in church for Mass for a long time and join with them in praising God for his mercy and love that has shone and continues to shine even in the darkest of times in the minds and hearts who worship him as the "Light of the World" and hopefully the Light of our own individual lives. As Steve Angrisano's song goes: "Alleluia! Love is alive the Lord he has risen for all. Your people sing ALLELUIA!!!"
A Blessed Easter and Easter Season to us all!!!
While I know in advance that we won't have the normal numbers of people coming to Mass on Easter, I am prepared to do what I can, with your assistance to welcome back during the long 50 day Easter Season those who have not been in church for Mass for a long time and join with them in praising God for his mercy and love that has shone and continues to shine even in the darkest of times in the minds and hearts who worship him as the "Light of the World" and hopefully the Light of our own individual lives. As Steve Angrisano's song goes: "Alleluia! Love is alive the Lord he has risen for all. Your people sing ALLELUIA!!!"
A Blessed Easter and Easter Season to us all!!!