This Sunday is Pentecost, the close of our Easter season. How well and how long did you celebrate Easter?(the religious one)It seems we have given over our religious holy days to the commercial and the tacky. Not that I reject celebrating Easter with bunnies and candy on Easter Sunday. It should be joyous. But why stop then? Our Church knows that 50 days is a better way to celebrate the very core event of our faith.
So, Happy last week of Easter and enjoy the numbered times that follow.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Happy Easter Season
Christ has Risen!! Alleluia!
The joy of this season is often lost after the first rush of Easter. Our Church in her wisdom gives us 50 days of Easter to reflect on the meaning and impact of the Resurrection in our lives.
Last evening we held a gathering of the newly initiated adults, along with others in the process. The 5 "newbees" shared their experience of the Triduum and how their lives have changed over the course of their preparation journey. It was a powerful sharing and made me proud of our church and all it calls us to be.
I would like to hear from any of you who were at the Easter Vigil Service about your reaction to the baptisms and the following rites.
The joy of this season is often lost after the first rush of Easter. Our Church in her wisdom gives us 50 days of Easter to reflect on the meaning and impact of the Resurrection in our lives.
Last evening we held a gathering of the newly initiated adults, along with others in the process. The 5 "newbees" shared their experience of the Triduum and how their lives have changed over the course of their preparation journey. It was a powerful sharing and made me proud of our church and all it calls us to be.
I would like to hear from any of you who were at the Easter Vigil Service about your reaction to the baptisms and the following rites.
Monday, March 21, 2011
No Worries, Mate!
There has been a lot of buzz lately about the "Final Days!" I even say a huge billboard warning of the end of the world sometime in May of this year.In addition, people see the natural disasters and the increasing violence and wars as a sign of the end time. It is causing many to worry.
The truth is, as Jesus tells us, no one knows the time but God. Our faith tells us to be ready at all times, then to get on with life. No one can lengthen their lives by worrying about when the end of the world will be. In fact, each person's end of the world is the day they pass from this life to the next. All we can do is focus on living the best we can. The rest is up to God and no one knows what God has in mind.
While we shouldn't worry about the end, we can, especially during Lent, care for those who are suffering from all that is going on in this world. The people of Japan and Haiti need our help. Closer to home, many go hungry. We can all examine our lifestyles to find ways to be of support both materially and spiritual to those who are hurting. We are all so blessed and sharing from those blessings will put aside worry about the end of the world and focus us more on appreciating the world we have now.
The truth is, as Jesus tells us, no one knows the time but God. Our faith tells us to be ready at all times, then to get on with life. No one can lengthen their lives by worrying about when the end of the world will be. In fact, each person's end of the world is the day they pass from this life to the next. All we can do is focus on living the best we can. The rest is up to God and no one knows what God has in mind.
While we shouldn't worry about the end, we can, especially during Lent, care for those who are suffering from all that is going on in this world. The people of Japan and Haiti need our help. Closer to home, many go hungry. We can all examine our lifestyles to find ways to be of support both materially and spiritual to those who are hurting. We are all so blessed and sharing from those blessings will put aside worry about the end of the world and focus us more on appreciating the world we have now.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Bishop's Day of Reflection
This Saturday was the Bishop's Day of Reflection, a time set aside for all those adultspreparing for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist as well as those who willbe recieved into communion with the Catholic Church to et to know their bishop and to reflect on the meaning of the Lord's Prayer. Over 400 people gathered to listen to the bishop and Sr. Barbara Thiella or to Sr Gloria (in Spanish) break open the Our Father line by line and lead reflections on how it calls us to live as Christians.
The day began with calebration of the Rite of Continuing Conversion. This celebration recognizes the Christians who want to complete their initiation and the bishop accepts them and offers prayers and blessing for their continued faith journey.
The folowing day, those who will be fully initiated this Easter Vigil were asked to enroll their names in the Book of the Elect and were prayerfully sent to thwe bishop who will recognize and recieve them as ready for baptism. It all was overwhelming sometimes; to see so many journeying in faith and joining our faith community.
The day began with calebration of the Rite of Continuing Conversion. This celebration recognizes the Christians who want to complete their initiation and the bishop accepts them and offers prayers and blessing for their continued faith journey.
The folowing day, those who will be fully initiated this Easter Vigil were asked to enroll their names in the Book of the Elect and were prayerfully sent to thwe bishop who will recognize and recieve them as ready for baptism. It all was overwhelming sometimes; to see so many journeying in faith and joining our faith community.
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