To all who come and join us this glorious Easter Sunday, we welcome you and wish you well. The promise of the Risen Christ is the promise of life: Eternal Life.
As a believing community of faith, we are rooted in the knowledge that the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, has come into our world; become human, shared life experiences, suffered death, and rose on the third day. He came to destroy death, bring hope, and to share with all the gift of salvation.
There are so many people to whom I am very grateful. These people work very hard in our parish community to make all our liturgical events come to life. Our various liturgical ministers: all who participate in Song, Proclaimed Word, Eucharist Ministry, Altar Attendants, Sacristans, Master of Ceremonies, Hospitality, Art and Environment, Funeral and Wedding coordinators, and all other forms of service under the direction of Kevin Jonas: we are truly appreciative. So much goes on behind the scenes to plan and execute all the liturgical events of Palm Sunday, The Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, and finally the glorious Easter Sunday Masses.
I am grateful to our office staff of Nancy Hooper and Katie Santoro who keep us together through the week in making sure phones are answered, records are well kept, and people are greeted at the doors. Peggy Stewart, our catechetical leader guides children and their parents on the weekends through our Religious Education Classes. Peggy also coordinates our youth group in the parish. Virginia Molloy and her wonderful RCIA team have done so much in bringing several people into the full knowledge of faith through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults this year. We were happy to have two adults baptized at the Vigil, three people coming from other religious denominations to making a Profession of Faith into our Catholic Church and one Catholic adult completing her sacraments. Consuelo Mercier guides the growth of our Hispanic ministries, bringing a full faith experience to this group of our wonderful parishioners.
I want to acknowledge a very special group of volunteers who come every Wednesday morning to Our Lady of the Sierra Church, and weekly to St. Dominic Savio and St. Joseph the Worker to clean, repair, and to do all that is necessary for the care of the church grounds. We do not hire maintenance personnel because our parishioners take such great pride in their churches and buildings. All three churches and buildings are cleaned and taken care of by their respective volunteers. They are the real heroes in our midst!
The members of the Women's Guild and the Knights of Columbus support the parish by their full participation in the life of the parish in various ways. In a special way, we thank the Women's Guild towards the purchase of the new white and gold dalmatic used at Easter Masses by Deacon Ernie.
I am grateful to Deacon Ernie Molloy who through the course of the year assists me in his particular ministry as deacon. He is available to the community, especially in his ministry to the homebound. Easter joy is possible because God has given me wonderful collaborators in ministry and in friendships. I thank God for all our parishioners who come together with me today, for their faith, and to many, their companionship along the journey to the kingdom. Fr. Mike
