Dear Parish Family,

HAPPY EASTER!

May Easter find us in joyous celebration of the gift of God’s Son rejoicing in the glory, of the resurrection, of the most Holy One! “He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures foretold.” 1 Cor. 15:4

My prayer for you is, “May abundant blessings, O Lord we pray, descend upon your people, may pardon come, comfort be given, holy faith increase, and everlasting redemption be made secure.” (Good Friday final Blessing)

The bishop wrote us an Easter letter and he addressed the following words to us.

“Brothers, our world is suffering greatly. And God’s people are looking to you and to me to speak to them Jesus’ words of consolation and love. While we may be filled with our own fears and concerns, like never before, may we tap the wellspring of life that has been planted in our hearts through Baptism and Holy Orders and become the life of Jesus for our brothers and sisters.” Please God may it be true for each priest and for all of us. Have you ever noticed that the first words out of an angel’s mouth in Sacred Scripture are, “Do not be afraid”? The angels must realize that their appearance is frightening or at least startling. “Do not be afraid,” angels said to the Virgin Mary, to Zechariah and to the shepherds in Luke’s gospel, and now to Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James and Joseph in Matthew’s gospel after the resurrection. Before any momentous message or command, people have to overcome fear. Abraham had plenty of reasons to fear when told he must sacrifice his son Isaac. Moses knew Pharaoh’s vast army was in pursuit and a huge sea blocked their way. The prophets may have been anxious when condemning corrupt leaders or when they called out their people’s stony hearts. One can only imagine Paul’s shock, struck down on his way to Damascus.

How about us in less dramatic ways, we often need to overcome fear as well. Considering what we see on the news day in and day out about the Corona Virus, it’s only natural to find ourselves paralyzed by fear. The news called this week the Pearl Harbor moment in the battle with Corona Virus. Let us heed the words of the angels, echoed by Jesus himself, “Do not be afraid”. Stay in lockdown but then after it’s over go forth as these women did, “still fearful yet overjoyed.”

We are all in this together. Leave no one behind. Care for your family and neighbors in need. Offer to go for groceries or to the pharmacy. Check on them. Let them know your love for them. It’s important. Thank you for all you are and all you do. God bless you and perhaps I will see you in Church soon.

Happy Easter,

Fr. Phil