What are you doing for Easter?

All the Help
I’ve been getting lots of e-mails from parishioners telling me about their favorite parts of Holy Week and many recognize that the celebrations of Holy Week were the work of many, many parishioners. Hundreds of volunteers participated in preparing the liturgies, decorating the church and Code Auditorium, putting the prayer booklets together, preparing the music, practicing their different ministries, etc. It took a whole booklet just to list the different Holy Week and Easter celebrations -- it would take a booklet three times that size to list all who made that possible! So here’s a quick thanks to all who made our Holy Week and Easter celebrations so meaningful. Jesus is truly risen and alive in our midst and our Holy Week was one great indication of that. Mesi! Grazie! ¡Gracias! Thank you!

e-mail Father Ralph:

Past Columns:
March 23: Can Easter come too early?
March 16: Which crowd is yours?
March 9: We believe, yet...
March 2: Oil or Mud
February 24: What are you thirsting for?
February 17: Who are You Wearing?
February 10: Just Say No
February 3: The Power of the Cross
January 27: How I Turned Out
January 20: Being Safer
January 13: Conversations in 2008
January 6: Matthew's Magi
December 30: Matthew's Magi
Christmas 2007 Homily

Columns from 2007

Columns from 2006

Columns from 2005

Columns from 2004

Columns from 2003

Columns from 2002

Columns from 2001


		March 30, 2007 What are you doing for Easter?
All the Help I’ve been getting lots of e-mails from parishioners telling me about their favorite parts of Holy Week and many recognize that the celebrations of Holy Week were the work of many, many parishioners. Hundreds of volunteers participated in preparing the liturgies, decorating the church and Code Auditorium, putting the prayer booklets together, preparing the music, practicing their different ministries, etc. It took a whole booklet just to list the different Holy Week and Easter celebrations -- it would take a booklet three times that size to list all who made that possible! So here’s a quick thanks to all who made our Holy Week and Easter celebrations so meaningful. Jesus is truly risen and alive in our midst and our Holy Week was one great indication of that. Mesi! Grazie! ¡Gracias! Thank you! e-mail Father Ralph: Past Columns: March 23: Can Easter come too early? March 16: Which crowd is yours? March 9: We believe, yet... March 2: Oil or Mud February 24: What are you thirsting for? February 17: Who are You Wearing? February 10: Just Say No February 3: The Power of the Cross January 27: How I Turned Out January 20: Being Safer January 13: Conversations in 2008 January 6: Matthew's Magi December 30: Matthew's Magi Christmas 2007 Homily Columns from 2007 Columns from 2006 Columns from 2005 Columns from 2004 Columns from 2003 Columns from 2002 Columns from 2001	When I ask this question, people usually respond, “but Easter was last Sunday!” And then we have a chat about how Easter lasts for 50 days. So, I’ll ask the question again: “What are you doing for Easter?” Now most Catholics have a ready answer when asked, “What are you doing for Lent?” But we’re sometimes stymied when faced with the Easter question. May I suggest that we look to see how Jesus spent that first Easter, and then we’ll have a clue what to do. He visited his friends and family. Whether they were in the garden, the house, or on the road, he showed up. Who can we visit this Easter season? How can we bring some new life into their lives? He cooked for them. Jesus fed his friends on several levels -- we read how he cooked fish on the beach when they returned from fishing. But he also fed them with his own body and blood and his Word. Who can we invite to eat with us? Can we plan a few Easter meals throughout these days ahead and remember that Jesus is present to us? He forgave them. Jesus has a poignant walk on the beach with Peter when he asks him three times, “Do you love me?” After having denied Christ three times, this was a healing moment between Jesus and Peter. Who can we walk toward forgiveness with this Easter season? He surprised them. Don’t you just love the stories where Jesus appears to the different disciples -- and at first they don’t recognize him -- and he surprises them with his presence? I can only imagine the joy they then felt to have him with them. What kind of good surprises can we do for people in the days ahead? What can we do to bring joy to another? Those are just a few observations about what Jesus did for Easter. Pick up your bible and read the last chapter of each gospel to reflect more. And then go out and do something for Easter!