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Pope Francis has died

on Easter Monday aged 88

 

EASTER SUNDAY – 2025

When we celebrate Easter we hold sacred the memory of God’s great act of raising Jesus from the dead. We believe that the cross was not the final address for Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus allows us to believe that God will grace us with the gift of new life in his presence one day, to be where Jesus is. Our faith nourishes the hope that we will participate in Jesus’ resurrection on the last day. St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans: “Nothing can ever separate us from the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus.” Not even death with its sense of darkness and finality. We are reminded in the Prayer for Christian Funerals: “We believe that all the ties of love, friendship and affection which bind us as one in this life will not unravel with death..” The resurrection of Christ from the dead by the Father’s love is our hope and pledge that death does not have the last word. We enter into God’s life more fully. What a wondrous Easter truth to celebrate! New life. New hope. New grace. New beginnings. New beauty. New rebirth. New love – all are metaphors for Easter. Look at nature at this time of year. What seemed dead and lifeless a couple of months ago is now blossoming into a flourish of new growth, colour and beauty. There is a freshness and renewal of life. We admire the awesomeness of creation. God is at work, sometimes unnoticed but in a mysterious way. We meet the Risen Christ in the Eucharist. Awesome. But how can we, personally in our own lives, experience something of the new life of resurrection which God gives us in Jesus? How can we notice resurrection moments in our lives so that we can feel a resurgence of God within us?

When we admire sunrise and sunset and marvel at the colour of the sky: when music, poetry and art transform us: when we pray and know that God is near: when we stare at gently blowing leaves and admire free flying birds: when we allow the Eucharist we receive draw us to close to Christ and move us to compassion: when we empathise with others in their illness and grief and bring comfort: when we walk in a forest, on the mountains, along river banks or on the beach embracing the splendour of what we see.

When we give and receive love: when we make a difference to others: When we stand by each other offering support and care: when we grieve with the bereaved:

When we eat together as family and celebrate our lives in kindness of heart: When we yearn for God, the living God: when we light a candle in prayer for ourselves and for others: when we imitate the sacrificial love of Jesus: when we reconcile.

These are daily moments of resurrection, new life and new beginnings, moments of God’s graces. Resurrection – new life – is all around and within us.

Pope Francis said: “We proclaim the resurrection of Christ when his light illuminates the dark moments of our lives for Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life.” May the light of the Risen Christ light our hope, peace and healing this Easter.

Fr. Tony.

 

SAINT JOHN BOSCO ICON

Sincere thanks to all parishioners and visitors who attended the special mass last Sunday, 2nd February to give thanksgiving to God for the pastoral ministry of the Salesians in our parish for fifty years since 1975.  The celebration was a very joyful occasion and we are delighted to have officially blessed the Icon of St. John Bosco to honour the Salesians.  The stained glass icon is over at the statues of St. Anthony and St. Ann.  Now we can pray to St. John Bosco for all children and the youth of our parish as St. John Bosco is patron saint of youth.  We were delighted that the Provincial, Fr. Eunan McDonnell was the main celebrant of the mass, along with other Salesians, Fr. Tom, Fr. Dan, Fr. Pat and Fr. Martin and myself with our Deacon, Rev. Jimmy Fennell assisting.  Thanks sincerely to Karen, our sacristan for preparing the booklet and the prayer card.  Thanks also to Colette and her team for providing the lovely tea/coffee and cakes in our Parish Centre after the mass.  Many people commented on the lovely spirit in our Church for the occasion, so thanks to all who helped out in any way at the mass last Sunday.  Thanks to Dave and our choir for the uplifting music for the occasion.