Pastor's Letter -- April 4, 2021

It is a joy to be able to celebrate Easter with a congregation!
We must thank God for the little things, because the everyday things are really the joys of this life. We must embrace
the beautiful goodness of our world with the eyes of a child,
wondering at what God gives us. And this above all on this
day of victory for all who are in Christ Jesus! Sin and Death
are vanquished by the Risen Lord! In Baptism, we conquer
with Him! And we welcome new members to the parish
family at the Easter Vigil - who either were themselves
baptized or have now entered the Church and received the
Lord in the Eucharist! God is so good!

And we get fifty days to rejoice in this new life. The Easter
Season allows us to unpack the graces that are ours every
day when we remain in Jesus. Such beauty, such great
blessings demand a response of gratitude and of love.
Last year a very simple insight was sent to me by e-mail
from a friend in the parish. It was going around so perhaps
you saw it or heard something similar. I think it is worth
reflecting on after a year that we none of us would have
imagined.

The very first Easter was not in a crowded worship space with
singing and praising. And the very first Easter the disciples were
locked in their house. It was dangerous for them to come out.
They were afraid. They wanted to believe the good news they
heard from the women, that Jesus had risen. But it seemed too
good to be true. They were living in a time of such despair in
such fear. If they left their homes their lives and the lives of
their loved ones might be at risk. Could a miracle really have
happened? Could life really have won out over death? Could this
time of terror and fear really be coming to an end? Alone in
their homes, they dared to believe that hope was possible, that
the long night was over and morning had broken, that God's
love was the most powerful of all, even though it didn't seem
quite real yet. Eventually they were able to leave their homes,
when the fear and danger had subsided. They went around celebrating and spreading the good news that Jesus was risen and
the love was the most powerful force on the earth. This year, we
might get to experience a taste of what that first Easter was like,
still in our homes daring to believe that hope is on the horizon.
Then, after a while, when it is safe for all people, when it is the
most loving choice, we will come out, gathering together, singing and shouting the good news that God brings life even out of
death, that love always has the final say! This year, we might
get the closest taste we have had yet to what that first Easter
was like.

What does this mean for our community of faith today? Since
the Easter mystery of abundant life we find in Jesus is a
spring that always overflows and refreshes, never running
dry, it is full of meaning for us all, collectively and individually. As a parish, it means we must not fear the life Jesus
wishes to give us, nor hide from it, and definitely not keep it
for ourselves. It also means that we no longer have to fear
this world’s evils, which St. Paul reminds us are passing
away. So how can you live this joy? To whom should you be
sharing this abundant life? Ask Jesus and go with courage
where He leads you, both into this parish family and out into
your relationships.

Perhaps you feel you need to encounter this abundant life
more yourself first. Do you need to meet Jesus more
intimately? Do you need to experience the freedom He gives
in forgiveness of yourself or forgiveness of others? Do you
long for healing of past wounds? We wish to be the place for
that encounter. Please get involved and dive into what Christ
offers you.

St. Thérèse, pray for us!