Dear Parish Family,
Happy Easter everyone! And now that it is the Easter Season, we enter into this season of “amazing grace” as we celebrate the Easter sacraments through Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Baccalaureate. As a community we rejoice in the sacramental grace that flows as we gather as a parish community. At the same time, we celebrate the achievements of our graduating seniors as they move to the next stage of their lives.
It is wonderful to have people approach me to bless religious gifts that are being presented for these occasions. “Father, I am going to my grandson’s graduation in New York on Sunday would you please bless this for me?” We travel far and wide to celebrate and affirm the many happenings in the lives of loved ones and family members. This beautiful weather too, is a cause for celebration.
We have fifty days to get it all in and somehow it seems to pass oh so quickly. My suggestion is to take one event at a time and build strong family ties as you rejoice at each event. Making time to affirm, celebrate and enjoy each other in these sacred moments helps us to put into perspective the times when we are challenged by the stumbling blocks that trip us up from time to time.
To all who are celebrating sacramental grace, and achievement; be in the present moment and drink in the love that comes from family and friends who gather. To all who are rejoicing; pay attention to how important you gift of presence is as all gather and share in the many gifts we bring to each other by simply “being there!”
Happy Easter!
Fr. Bill