Why Do I Still See Easter Decorations in Church?

Yes, it is still Easter season. As a Church, we continue to celebrate the greatest gift of redemption and new life for 50 days. In fact, Pentecost, which marks the end of the Easter season, means just that, 50th day. It is also a birthday celebration as we remember the birth of the Church on that first Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on the gathered disciples and they were empowered to go beyond their fear to spread the Good News.

So how are your Easter celebrations continuing? How will you rejoice and be enlivened by the Risen Lord? One suggestion is to put more deliberate effort in celebrating the Mass with joy and full participation. Greet others as you gather, sing (if not better, at least a little louder), and pray with all your heart in joy over the gift of Jesus and the Church.

When Pentecost arrives to mark the wrap up of our Easter Season, will you be able to sincerely say that this Easter has brought you closer to God and God's people?

High Holy Days

The Triduum  marks the high holy days of our church year. More so than Christmas, these days are the times when our faith is most expressed.

 HOLY THURSDAY

At the Mass on this day, we hear how Jesus washed his disciples' feet and commanded them to do the same for others. We too are called to be the servant of others by our baptism. It isn't easy to put others before yourself or their needs as a priority in your life but this is what being a servant to all really calls for.
What blocks you from openness to serve others?

GOOD FRIDAY

Ever wonder why this day, commemorating the passion and death of Jesus  is call Good? This is the day that, through his passion and death, Jesus began his final lesson for us. His willingness to embrace even pain and death to free us is a great gift. Without this, there would be no resurrection, no sign to us that not even death is to be feared if we believe in God.

HOLY SATURDAY

Waiting is not something we Americans do well.  Holy Saturday is about waiting in patient expectation. It is a good time to take a final inventory of our life and see how we have grown closer to God through Lent and to make last minute preparation to celebrate our redemption through the cross and resurrection.

The Sacred Vigil on Holy Saturday night is the time when new Christians are fully initiated through their celebration of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. No one who calls themselves Christian can fail to be moved by the sight of these new Christians rising out of the baptismal water with joy. It call us to renew our own commitment to live our baptismal promises, call on the strength of the Holy Spirit to bring that faith to others and to join the community in celebration of the Eucharist.

EASTER SUNDAY
Alleluia! He has been raised!
Christ indeed is risen and so we are reminded once again that their is nothing stronger that God, even death.
This is a day to celebrate new life. That is the reason for the little chicks and rabbits and ducklings that you see everywhere. new life, as symbolized by these tiny creatures speaks of the rebirth of all Christians through water and the Spirit. Celebrate your life in Christ.
From now through Pentecost, we continue to the Easter season and the celebration of our redemption.
Happy Easter!!!

is upon us

As we enter this period in our Church calendar, it is a good time to consider what Lent means to us personally. How will you prepare yourself to renew your baptismal promises at Easter? What will you do or not do to more closely follow Christ? 

One way to reflect is to ponder upon the three traditional practices of Lent; prayer, fasting and works of charity.

Prayer: Many Catholics practice prayer as a talking to God through recitation of memorized prayers and devotions. These are good. I challenge you to go deeper into prayer by entering a dialogue with God. To do so means we have to quiet ourselves, a daunting task in our modern, fast-paced lifestyle. God already knows our needs and our weaknesses. By taking time to talk to God and listen for an inner response, we can better come to understand what God has in store for us and how much God waits for our turning even more to him. Devote a little more time each day that you normally do to sit with God in silence. You may begin by reading scripture or some spiritual writing. Then just ponder what you have read and ask God to speak to you. God will respond if we just quiet ourselves to hear.

Fasting: Self discipline is another lost art in today's world. The Lenten practice of fasting should include more than just "giving up" something. If the denying of a hunger for food or drink helps call to mind the need to simplify our life in order to follow Christ more closely, then it is god. Don't limit your fasting to food and drink. You can fast from practices that draw you away from companionship with God and God-in-others. For instance, a person may choose to fast from gossip, from criticism and or from mindless TV or internet use and instead use the time to build relationships with family, friends and community. Fasting from an activity that is not in keeping with the two great commandments of love for God and neighbor will help us be more prepared to fully celebrate Easter.

Alms-giving or works of charity: Do you remember the idea of "paying it forward?" This is the practice of performing random acts of kindness without notice, recognition or reward. The whole idea is to do something helpful for another to make their life better in some way. This could be as simple as an anonymous note of greeting to someone you know is alone or paying for a stranger's coffee without them knowing who is responsible. Of course, outward charity must be part of a softening of our hearts, particularly toward those less fortunate than ourselves. Remember the scripture passage; "Whatever you do for these least among you, you do for me." Giving of your time and energy to efforts to better our community, feed the hungry, help out a neighbor are all good ways to express our belief in the divine light in each of God's children.
Of course, giving funds to charity and to the church is good too. It should cause you to reflect on all the good that God has done for you and be a part of your giving back to the Lord.

Be creative  Only you can decide what will help you turn even more toward Christ. May your Lenten devotions lead you ever closer to our savior so you may share fully in his resurrection.

Change is Going to Come

The dog days of Summer are past and there is a morning chill in the air that tells us that Autumn is just about upon us. Soon the trees will begin to dress themselves for the season and eventually drop their foliage.
Many families have put away their warm weather fun equipment and began to settle into another routine.


What will the changes in the season mean for you? Will it be another routine time?

Here is an idea and a challenge! Use this changing of the seasons to make some changes in your way of life. Add a time for family prayer. Make a date with yourself for a retreat or new time for prayer.
Commit to a healthier lifestyle. Take time to reflect on the beauty that our loving God has placed all around us, both in nature and the wonderful and interesting people who cross our path.

Life is a gift from God who wants to be in passionate relationship with us. It would be a terrible waste if this turns out to be another "routine" time in our relationship with the Lord. What will you do to demonstrate your appreciation of God's many gifts?