Faith Formation

With rejoicing we gather today to celebrate the summit Solemnity of our faith: The Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!. Why do I call it the summit? Hear the words of St. Paul “If Christ has not been raised, then empty is your faith. …..and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins……If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all.” [Corinthians chapter 15 excerpts]. But our tradition dating all the way back to the apostles- all who were eye witnesses, themselves marveling, all saw the Jesus who was crucified alive again in a risen body. The power of the resurrection changes everything! The resurrection of Jesus means that there is a deeper meaning to suffering and having crosses to carry. The resurrection of Jesus means that injustices that one experiences in this life, for people of faith, will be made right in the next life. The power of the resurrection means that God will take our lowly bodies and make them like his own in glory. The resurrection of the Lord gives meaning to our lives. And in every Mass throughout the year that we celebrate, we recall the sacrifice of Jesus’ suffering and death and the power of His resurrection to give us ongoing strength to live with meaning our journey of life. That is why we call the Mass he “heartbeat” of our Catholic life. May we all make the rewarding effort to build into our busy lives the priority of Holy Mass! God bless you!

Next Sunday is the second Sunday of Easter and is also been named DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY. Thousands of pilgrims will be coming in buses to the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge Mass to celebrate this day. If you have never had the opportunity to experience a taste of a pilgrimage surrounded by true believers from different ethic backgrounds and coming with deep faith, go to the shrine! Activities begin in mid- morning and culminate with an outdoor Mass at 2 pm and the singing of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Confessions are heard throughout the day. There is an Adoration tent, life size outdoor stations of the cross, and a huge gift shop under a tent. There is no parking on the grounds because of the many buses, but parking lots on the way to the shrine that have shuttle buses.. Note: Note: Holy Trinity Church in Westfield: Divine Mercy Schedule in next column

Today's Reading (click title for more)

Easter Sunday<br>The Resurrection of the Lord<br><br>At the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter
on April 20, 2019 at 9:30 am
Reading I Gn 1:1—2:2 In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light," and […]

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