On this Easter Day we join with our brothers and sisters throughout the world to welcome the Risen Savior.  While it is important that we remember the events that led us to this day, the suffering and death and resurrection of Jesus so many years ago, it is even more important that we realize what is going on right now around us.  It is not enough to say, Jesus was raised!  This great mystery of our faith reaches right into our present lives in order to transform our world.  And so we say, Jesus is risen!  Alleluia! 
    In the scriptures we hear that Jesus is the firstborn, the first fruits of God's love.  This means that others will be raised after him.  Who are the others that demonstrate Christ’s power of life over death?  The answer is simple.  We are those others who proclaim God's power to bring life out of the most hopeless of situations. 
    Paul tells us that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death.  We have been buried with him.  And on this day the Church reminds us that we are to be raised with him.  Alleluia! 
It is good news we receive this Easter morning!  Good news about our lives.  Jesus is risen! Alleluia!  We fall, but he lifts us up!  We are hurt, but he consoles us!  Our homes are broken, but he heals us!   We still suffer, but he is with us!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!
    May the Risen Christ empower you to proclaim the resurrection by the way you live your life. 

THE FEAST OF MERCY
    will be celebrated next Sunday which is the Second Sunday of Easter.  The church will remain open after the Noon Mass.  Confessions will be heard from 2 till 3 PM.  And the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Litany of Divine Mercy will be prayed at 3 PM.  Please join us for this celebration of our Savior’s Divine Mercy.