April 20th, 2025

My Dear Parishioners, 

Greetings of peace and joy in our Lord Jesus Christ, I take this opportunity to wish you all a HAPPY and BLESSED EASTER.

Once again it is that time of the year when, slowly but steadily, winter is giving way to bright sunny days. Nature announces the arrival of a new season, which promises new

life. Humanity wants to write, direct and decide its own destiny, not knowing that many things are not in its grasp. Advancement in science and technology has made life more

comfortable, convenient and connected. Yet more than ever, the relentless pursuit for peace, happiness, and fulfillment in life has farther to go than ever before. Somewhere, a vital piece of the puzzle is missing. A world gone wrong: natural disasters, violence,

poverty and sufferings; can any one look to the future with hope? The answer is a big ‘YES.’ In a few days we will be celebrating Easter. Easter is a celebration of life; of the victory of light over darkness and of life over death.

During the Easter Season, the First Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. We see the effect that the resurrection of Jesus has on His followers. Today's reading is from Peter's speech proclaiming the person of Jesus, not only as a miracle worker and a great preacher, but as One Who has died but is risen and has appeared to His followers. Not only has Jesus been seen by His disciples, but He has eaten and drunk with them - a sign that He is not just an illusion but a person with a body - glorified body, but still a body. Because Jesus is risen and has appeared to His followers, they are commissioned to announce His message and continue His ministry.

The Gospel relates the account of Mary Magdalene going to the tomb before the sun rose on Easter Sunday morning. expecting to see the tomb still sealed, she plans to keep vigil at the tomb. She is surprised to find the sealing rock removed and the tomb empty. Still not understanding what has taken place, she runs to the frightened and saddened disciples and tells them about the empty tomb. She wonders where they have taken the body. Peter and John hasten back to the tomb. John, being younger and probably more athletic, arrives at the tomb, but does not enter it until Peter reaches there. As they enter and see the burial clothes neatly folded, they realize something special has happened. It seems that John quickly believes in a miracle - the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to rise again. Peter, the one who had denied his Lord three times, does not seem so quick to accept the idea of Jesus' resurrection. 

Our lives as disciples of Jesus require us to not only believe in the forgiveness and peace and salvation which come to us through Jesus' death and resurrection, but to be  witnesses of the Risen Lord to others. We must be Easter people. Alleluia people! It is providential - God continuing to provide for us. God can even make the worst possible situations turn into blessings. What can be worse than the Son of God on a cross? From the tomb in which the crucified Jesus was laid, new life has come. Jesus is alive in His glorified body. He has conquered not only sin and death. He has made it possible for us to share a renewed relationship with the God who has created us. This new relationship is eternal. Let us continue to rejoice and celebrate. Jesus is alive. We are saved. Alleluia! Amen!

God Bless You, 

Father George,  MSFS