Hello Families,
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Alleluia! He is risen! He is truly risen! Alleluia!
The Easter Season—beginning on Easter Sunday and continuing for 50 days—is an opportunity for us to cultivate a spirit that defines who we are as Christians. So what does living the spirit of the Easter season mean in practical terms? Here are three concrete suggestions.
Live with Joy
Joy is a deep-down gladness that cannot be taken away, even in the midst of sorrow. The Passion and Resurrection of Jesus teach us that suffering is transformed through faith in the Risen Christ. With this faith, we are able to hold on to an enduring sense of joy even in the midst of the sadness we experience from the loss of a loved one, a failure to achieve an important goal, or a setback during recovery from an illness.
Live without Fear
The Resurrection teaches us that God can overcome anything, even death. When the Risen Christ appears to the women at the tomb and later to his disciples, his first words are “Do not be afraid!” (Mt 28:5,10) These words speak to our hearts, helping us cope with the fear from the loss of a job, a serious illness, or a crumbling relationship. Our faith allows us to trust that God can overcome our most serious problems.
Live with New Eyes
Easter means to live with a sense of newness. Just as the return of spring lifts our spirits and makes us feel like the whole world is new, the Resurrection of Jesus makes “all things new.” (Rev. 21:5) The Easter spirit is a spirit of renewal that enables us to show up at work with a positive attitude, to renew relationships that have been taken for granted, and to express appreciation and affection to those closest to us. It means to see the world through new eyes—God´s eyes.
We can use these 50 days to cultivate an Easter spirit that enables us to be truly Christian: embracing joy, living without fear, and seeing the world again—as if for the first time. (2018 Loyola Press)
You are all in my prayers!
In the peace of Christ,
Carlo Stebbings
Faith Formation News for April
Sunday and Monday Faith Formation Classes
Sunday- two more classes left, Sunday April 8 and 15
Monday- Last class is Monday April 9
Confirmation
Year 1- Last Class Sunday April 8th! Parent meeting at 12:00pm!
Year 2- Sponsor/Candidate Session– Sunday April 15th-3-6pm at St.
Alphonsus. We will attend the 5pm mass together!
Confirmation Rehearsal– Monday April 30th– 7pm at St. Mary’s,
Candidate and sponsor need to attend. If sponsor cannot attend a
parent needs to attend. Arrive by 6:45pm!
Confirmation- Thursday May 3rd, 7pm at St. Mary’s. Arrive by
6:30pm!
***NEW***EDGE Middle School Youth Group (6th, 7th, 8th Grades)
You have spoken! We have listened!
Our middle school youth group will begin meeting this month!
April 17- 7:00pm-8:30pm –St. Alphonsus Parish Center
April 24- 7:00pm-8:30pm – St. Alphonsus Parish Center
EMMAUS High School Youth Group
Sundays from 6:00pm-7:30pm at CFL unless otherwise noted!
April Schedule
1 – Happy Easter! No Meeting!
8 – Divine Mercy Sunday! What is Mercy?
15 – Peace be With You! How to be people of Peace.
22 – It’s Ok to be a sheep because we have Jesus
29 – 5pm mass at St. Aphonsus! Meeting at St. Alphonsus! Topic: Remaining in the Lord
1st Communion
Wednesdays: April 4, 11, 18
Thursdays: April 5, 12, 19
Monthly Sessions
Saturday April 7- Topic: Living Easter Everyday! Location: CFL
Saturday May 5- Topic: People of Spirit! Location: CFL
Sunday June 3- Participation in St. Mary’s Eucharistic Procession!
Faith in the Family
In the Easter Gospel we hear about how the disciples found the tomb empty three days after Jesus' death. We are also told that they do not yet understand the Scriptures or that Jesus had been raised from the dead. That understanding gradually unfolded for the disciples as they began to experience the risen Lord. Similarly, our understanding of Jesus' Resurrection unfolds for us throughout our lives. In the weeks ahead, we will hear how the first disciples moved from confusion, doubt, and skepticism to faith. Their experience can teach us how we too might receive this gift of faith from God.
Gather your family members and ask them to share what they know about the events that happened in the days after Jesus' crucifixion. Invite your family to imagine that they are among Jesus' first disciples. Read together today's Gospel, John 20:1-9. Reflect together on the Gospel with questions such as these: If you had been among the first disciples who heard that the stone had been removed from Jesus' tomb and that Jesus' body was no longer there, what would you think? What did Mary of Magdala, Simon Peter, and the disciple whom Jesus loved think had happened? Recall that this experience is the first indication Jesus' disciples have that he is risen. Throughout the Easter season, we will learn more about how the disciples came to believe that Jesus had been raised from the dead.
Pray together using today's psalm, Psalm 118: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.”
Technology and Faith
Knowing that most if not everyone has a smart phone, there are some fantastic and FREE catholic apps. Another great app is the Catholic Mega App. Check it out! It’s a great way of using technology to help us grow in faith.
