Pastor’s Notes

“TA-DA!”

It’s delicious to breathe in Easter after this past year. We’ve been through a very long Lent and Good Friday. It’s nice to feel the sunlight.

A Sunday school teacher had just finished telling her third graders about how Jesus was crucified and placed in a tomb with a great stone sealing the opening. Then, wanting to share the excitement of the resurrection, she asked; “And what do you think were Jesus’ first words when He came bursting out of that tomb alive?”

A hand shot up into the air from the rear of the classroom. Attached to it was the arm of a little girl. Leaping out of her chair she shouted out excitedly “I know, I know!” “Good” said the teacher, “Tell us, what were Jesus first words?” And extending her arms high into the air she said, “TA-DA!” (Gratitude to Fr. Tony Kadavil, http://stjohngrandbay.org)

“Alleluia!” It is sorta like, “TA-DA!” Nice to use that word again after Lent’s forty days! The General Instruction on the Roman Missal says it needs to be sung…if anything. It proclaims in melody, “Yes it is! Praise God!” The tomb is empty but we have found eyes that see in the dark. Amidst the losses, betrayals and tragedies that life throws at us, lives a victorious messiah that can transform anything. Any life in his light turns inside out with new humanity and energy. “Alleluia!”

We congratulate those who were baptized, confirmed and received First Communion at the Easter Vigil, and to those who will receive them in the coming weeks. Our St. Mary’s parish community is blessed and expanded by their presence with us. To Br. Scott, Brenda and all who helped prepare them for these magic and holy days. Gordon Stevenson, know our love and gratitude for the music. We also thank our incredible choir and Sean O’Donnell, master of ceremonies, Art and Environment volunteers. Hospitality and music are the reason most people give for joining our center-city parish community. We have tasted it these days!

Resurrection is not a question you answer, but a mystery you get all caught up in. And church makes it happen. We after all are the risen body of Christ.

From all the Franciscan friars, members of the parish staff, and Pastoral Council leadership, we wish you a most joyful Easter season. Like Christmas, it is too much mystery for one day. Continue to join us as we take the season apart bit by bit and see again what this resurrection means for us in the coming days and weeks.

Alleluia!

A gentle week;

Fr. Michael