My brothers and sisters in the Risen Lord,

            Isn’t it true that too frequently we take our precious Catholic faith for granted? As we celebrate the glory of Christ’s Resurrection, I encourage you to consider carefully the words he once spoke to his dead friend Lazarus’s sister Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Easter is the time when we revisit these words, recognizing in them the greatest event that the world would ever celebrate; not a thing, but a person - the Person of Jesus Christ Risen from the dead!

            The Easter event ought to fill us with joy. In fact, the joy of the Jesus’ Resurrection renews the whole world. The gloom and doom of death has forever been transformed into God’s best gift. Isn’t it true that God shows us his ultimate gift of mercy by bringing forth eternal life from the death of Jesus on the cross?

            This is all the more apparent in our Parish of Saint Elizabeth-Saint Brigid this year as we welcome new Catholics into our Church community. As they receive new life through the waters of baptism this Easter 2019, their journey is just beginning. They receive the gift of new life, the sacrament through which they become sharers in the Death and Resurrection of Jesus and, like us, beneficiaries of his mercy.

            For each and everyone of us, Easter is the opportunity to renew our own Baptism by committing ourselves to being ministers of God’s love and mercy. We are called to be Christ’s advocates, inviting others through word and example to conversion of heart, mind and soul. To our words and actions we, like Christ, add our regular daily prayer as well for our relatives, friends, neighbors, and associates.

            As you go about living your earthly lives, seeking to permeate our world with the beauty of God’s love and mercy, remain steadfast in the great virtues of faith, hope and love with which you have been blessed!

            Exalt and rejoice! Christ Jesus truly is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!

In Christ Jesus Our Lord,

Reverend Monsignor Edward C. Puleo