Easter: A Beginning, Not an Ending
Over the past several weeks, our parish has entered into Lent with a renewed sense of purpose. Through our Return series, times of prayer, and intentional reflection, we have been focusing not only on our own relationship with God, but also on those in our lives who may have drifted away from the practice of their faith.
One of the most powerful moments of this journey was our 48-hour Vigil for the Fallen Away. As a parish, we came together in a sustained act of prayer lifting up the names of loved ones, entrusting them to God’s mercy, and asking for the grace of renewal. It was a visible reminder that we are not alone in our concern for others, and that God is actively at work, even when we cannot yet see the results.
Now we arrive at Easter.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is not simply something we remember it is the foundation of our hope. It reminds us that no situation is beyond redemption, no distance too great, and no heart beyond God’s reach. The same power that raised Christ from the dead continues to work in our lives today.
For our parish, Easter is not the conclusion of what we have been doing throughout Lent. In many ways, it is the beginning.
If Lent invited us to return more deeply to God, Easter invites us to move forward with intention, with trust, and with a renewed sense of mission. It is an opportunity to take a next step in our own faith life, whether that means returning to regular Sunday Mass, becoming more involved in parish life, or simply being more attentive to where God is leading us.
It is also a moment to consider how we might gently invite others to take that same step. Often, a simple invitation extended with sincerity and care can open the door for someone who has been waiting for a reason to return.
The momentum we have experienced over these past weeks is something worth sustaining. Growth in faith does not happen all at once, but through steady, faithful steps taken over time.
As we celebrate Easter together, we do so with gratitude for what God has already begun among us and with hope for what is still to come. Christ is risen, and His work continues in our parish, in our community, and in each of us.
Your Servant in Christ,
Father Jason C. Hage, Pastor
Happy Easter! Christos Anesti! Buona Pasqua! ¡Felices Pascuas! Joyeuses Pâques! Frohe Ostern! Szczęśliwej Wielkanocy!
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!
Mary, Mother of Our Savior, pray for us!