Pastor’s Reflection

“Alleluia!”  Nice to say that word again after Lent’s forty days!  It says, “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 “elect of God” who were baptized, confirmed and received First Communion at the Easter Vigil, their families and sponsors.  Our St. Mary’s parish community is blessed and expanded by their presence with us.  Next week we receive our candidates for full communion.  To Br. Tito and his team of volunteers and catechists, “mil gracias!”  To all who helped prepare these magic and holy days, Gordon Stevenson, Sean O’Donnell and Environment and Art… know our love and gratitude.  We also thank our incredible choir and musicians.  Hospitality and music are the reason most people give for joining our central-city parish community.  We have tasted it these days!

When it comes to the resurrection of Jesus, I think we are often like two policemen I know, watching a woman park a very bit car in a little parking space.  She got it in, but climbed out the window.  We watch from across the street sometimes–put out a few bets just in case, and shake our heads.  But resurrection doesn’t have much of a real effect on our lives until we start to get close to death.  Then things change.  I had a conversation over Easter dinner several years ago with a woman and her son who were once church people.  We have it (the very same conversation) every year around the Easter table…about Church, Bible, bad experiences that her mother had in the depression with a priest and why they don’t go to church anymore.  I always leave by changing the subject finally.  Resurrection is not something you can get much out of by taking out of your head or someone else’s… You feel it, experience it or you don’t.  Resurrection is not a question you answer, but a mystery you get all caught up in.  And church makes it happen.

Form 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 of serious “Alleluia!”

A gentle week,
Fr. Michael Weldon, OFM