My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

A Blessed Easter to all of you. I pray that the Lenten Season was a season of renewal for each of you and that as we enter into the Easter Season, we can allow the gift of the Resurrected Christ to continue to lead us in that new life He brings to our lives.

I would like to take this time to thank all who made our liturgies during Holy Week and Easter a Blessed Occasion.  This includes all who made time to decorate our Churches, our sacristans who prepared for the liturgies, our musicians, choir and cantors, our Lectors, Ushers, EMHCs and all who have been behind the scenes making everything possible.

We welcome all our Elect and Candidates of our OCIA Program who received the Sacraments of Initiation during the Easter Vigil – Jerome Garrison, Nolen Miller, Dylan Miller, Austin Nilius, Magdalyn St. Cross, Emilie Thompson, Jason Hevelone, Jaimee Conmy, Karina Lara Navarro, Haley Haefner, Jessica Odvody-Wernimont, Brenton Hahn, Jaret Wernimont, Braeden Fustos, Shane Smith, Aaron Wallin,  and Presley Porter.  Since August of last year, they have been journeying with our OCIA team and their sponsors to learn more about the Faith that we share.  Thank you especially to our OCIA Team for all they do in allowing that gift of Faith to shape their lives.

The following two Sundays, we will be celebrating First Communion with our Second Graders in our Family of Parishes. The Second Graders at Mary Our Queen will be receiving their First Communion next Sunday and the Second Graders at St John Vianney will be receiving their First Communion the following Sunday.  Please keep them and their families in your prayers.

The scene of the empty tomb is special for us as it speaks of how death has no power over God and that this is the very reason why Christ came into our lives – to draw all of us to himself.  Prior to his trial that led to His crucifixion and death on the Cross, Jesus spoke to his disciples and told them not to let their hearts be troubled but to have faith in God.  He goes on to speak about His Father’s House – that there are many rooms and that He is personally going to prepare a room for each one for us and that where He is going, we know the way for Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  Easter is the biggest Feast in our Church as it speaks about us being the very reason why he came to be with us – to suffer and die for our sake – to bring healing to a world that is in need of a Savior.

Since we have been offering confessions prior to Easter, this week there will be no confessions on Thursday and Saturday.  We will resume our regular confession schedule the following week.

On behalf of Fr Steve and myself, we would like to wish you and your family a Blessed Easter.

Blessings this Easter Season,

Fr Marc

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