THE EASTER SEASON
FIFTY DAYS OF GLORY!
Glowing in the grace of a powerful Lenten Season, then Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum, and then a glorious Easter Sunday morning, we are now in the “days of glory” known as the Easter Season. We Catholics celebrate the major solemnities of faith for many days (e.g. the Christmas Season and the Easter Season). It is a way of extending the grace of the Holy Day so that it takes root in our hearts and then thrives. Thus, may the glory of Easter burst forth in our lives in our words and deeds.
One person has said that the Easter Season is the time to expect miracles in our lives! Be on the lookout during these 50 days for evidence of the Resurrection in every-day circumstances. That evidence is found by recognizing the fruits of the Holy Spirit present in ourselves and others. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Strive to develop them through prayer and service to others. The Easter Season concludes with the final Mass of the Solemnity of Pentecost (weekend of June 4-5).
During the Easter Season we will have Baptisms of children on April 23 and May 21; Confirmation of our High School Youth at the 5 p.m. Mass on Saturday, April 30; First Holy Communions on Sundays, May 1 and 8, at the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Masses; and Confirmation of Adults on Sunday, June 5 at 11:00 a.m. Our parish will be overflowing with the graces of the Sacraments in these days.
I want to offer a word of thanks to all who worked so hard to make beautiful and memorable the Lenten, Holy Week, Sacred Triduum, and Easter Sunday liturgies and parish activities. Our parish is blessed with so many gifts so freely given in service to all of us.
Let us pray to be open to the amazing grace of Easter during these 50 days of glory.
Monsignor John Urell
