April 16 - "Christ is risen....Alleluia"

Christ is risen, alleluia!  He is risen indeed, alleluia!  Today on Easter Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.   The risen Jesus began to appear to the disciples after they went and saw the empty tomb.  Today we celebrate our belief in life after death.  Easter ranks first among the feasts of the church.  Indeed, Easter celebrates Jesus’ life and our share in it.  Easter celebrates Jesus love for all humanity and our call to love as Jesus did.  It celebrates darkness giving way to life, death giving way to life, sacrifice giving way to love.
When we come to Mass today we will see that a few things will be different.  The new paschal candle has been lit and has been placed besides the ambo (pulpit).  We did not sing “Alleluia” during Lent, but now we will sing it with gusto!  We will sing the Easter Sequence after the Second Reading today.  Today we will renew our baptismal promises and we will be sprinkled with holy water.  The use of holy water reminds us that we have been baptized into Christ Jesus as well as the fact eight individuals were baptized at the Easter Vigil last night. Two were received into full Communion in the Catholic Church.  Eleven individuals received the Sacrament of Confirmation during the Easter Vigil.  We had a lovely reception after the Vigil to say congratulations and welcome the newest members of our faith community and their families.
Please pay particular attention to the Eucharistic Prayer today, for you will hear, during the Preface, that Christ became our paschal sacrifice “on this day.”  At the end of Mass today, the deacon will add two “alleluias” to the words of the dismissal.  The congregation will respond with, “Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia!
I want to offer a special word of welcome to those who are joining us today.  Perhaps you have traveled a distance to be with family and friends today and then you decided to come to Mass with them.  Perhaps some who are here today have gotten out of the habit of coming to Mass regularly on Sunday.  Today is a wonderful day to resume that custom.  Please know that you will be very welcome here!  This is indeed a great day to celebrate with family and friends.
Happy Easter to all!
Until next week,
Fr. John