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Volume 8, #40
Easter Sunday Reflection from Fr. John Nolan

Easter Sunday LiveStream at 9:30am
Prelude music at 9:15am
"HE IS NOT HERE: FOR HE IS RISEN."
Dear Parishioners ,

 In the Gospel of John, we read how Mary Magdalene and the disciples arrived at the tomb on this Easter morn. Jesus was not there because he had been raised from the dead, just as he said! St. John tells us that they did not yet understand. 

The fact that Jesus is risen from the dead, that he was victorious over death and sin, is reason to celebrate. It is that fact that gives us joy despite our current circumstances and through whatever we may face. What happened on that first Easter day still brings us joy and it still changes lives today.

Even though we may not be able to gather as a community, one of the most effective ways we have to offer encouragement or aid to one another is through prayer. Prayer unites us and reminds us of a beautiful truth which we sometimes forget: God is truly our ‘Father’ and we, His family. We may not see each other each day but we can meet each day in our prayers!
Pope Francis, in his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium reminds us:
 
How good it is for us to pray together…where we see one another as brothers and sisters, where we realize that we need one another. Today I want to be one with you. I need your support, your closeness. I would like to invite you to pray together, for one another, with one another. That way we can keep helping one another to experience the joy of knowing that Jesus is in our midst, and that Jesus helps us to find solutions to the injustices which He Himself already experienced.”

Prayer, as Pope Francis so beautifully states, allows us to encounter one another. We are more than just placeholders in a pew; we are a faith community. May we live as people deeply touched by the resurrection and proclaim: Jesus is risen, Alleluia! May our encounter with the risen Lord on our journey of faith touch us deeply and transform us as He did for His disciples. May the Resurrection lead us to be the best version of ourselves; committed to live out our Baptismal covenant.
When we live the new life of the Resurrection, we become the best version of ourselves. We become what St. Augustine referred to as an “Easter People”, a people transformed into disciples and stewards who commit to give their prayer, service and gifts in witness.

The entire staff of St. Joseph the Worker Parish & Preschool staff join me in praying for you a most blessed Easter Day and season. My prayer for you this Easter is that we live as people deeply touched by the Resurrection and proclaim Jesus is risen, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Blessings,
Fr. John Nolan,
Pastor
St. Joseph the Worker
700 E Spruce St
Chatham, IL 62629
Phone: 217-483-3772
Fax: 217-483-4581
Email: stjos@comcast.net
If you have moved or are no longer a member of
St. Joseph the Worker, please contact our office or email at sjwofficemanager@comcast.net so that we may make the necessary changes to our database.