Dear friends,
It is Easter! Christ is risen and has freed all who believe and trust in Him. I would like to welcome you all as we not only thank God for making sharers in the glory of Christ His Son and the blessing of this in-person gathering and celebration of the mystery of our salvation.
We all remember how tearful we were at this time last year, when thirsting for the Lord we were unable to celebrate easter as a physically gathered family. We supported each other and shared our Easter’s praises to God in spirit and through phone calls. Today, God has brought us back. What an amazing grace and blessing to gather together again and sing Alleluia to the Lord!
Today, I have only one message of hope to share with you as we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord. For the situation we were in gives us the assurance of life and victory in and with Christ to say with Saint Paul that, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body” (2 Cor. 4:9-11). Easter is the rise of a new beginning of life with the Lord who broke the shackles of sin and hopelessness.
So now let me say this:
To our parish family, Happy and Blessed Easter! May the Resurrection of the Lord strengthen you in the faith and grant you assurance of new life in Christ. You and your loved ones are prayed for and remembered at this Easter celebration.
To our visitors and guests, Happy Easter and welcome. Thank you for choosing Holy Cross as you place to thank God and to celebrate Easter, the mystery of our salvation. We love you and we deeply appreciate you.
To those who lost a loved one as a consequence of this pandemic, may the peace and consolation of the Risen Lord be with you and grant you assurance of faith in the resurrection to eternal life. And may the Lord who conquered death admit your loved ones into His eternal felicity.
To those still struggling with the effects of the pandemic and/or who are sick, God’s speed! May the Risen Lord surround you with His power and grant you comfort, healing and recovery.
To all, may the joy of the resurrection fill your hearts and your homes with assurance of a new and brilliant beginning as we undertake the new journey with the Lord who is risen to grant us abundant life and blessings. And let us continue to pray for one another and for our parish family.
Happy and Blessed Easter!
Fr. Emery