To all of our parishioners, your family members and loved ones, and to every visitor and guest: welcome to Saint Noel Parish! We are so pleased you are here to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord on this Easter Sunday. The next fifty days, from today until Pentecost Sunday, are celebrated in joy and exultation as one feast day, “indeed as one ‘great Sunday’” (Ordo, 111). Throughout the Easter season, the Paschal Candle, a symbol of the presence of the Risen Christ among the people of God, is moved from the baptismal font and remains in the sanctuary, near the ambo, where God’s Word is proclaimed. To assist you on your Easter journey, Daily Reflections for Easter to Pentecost are available in the narthex. These insightful meditations can help you embrace, live, and share the Good News of the great Paschal Mystery. Pick one up after Mass.
In George Weigel’s 2013 book, “Roman Pilgrimage: the Station Churches,” he writes: “The primitive Christian community grew in its understanding of the Resurrection. The stories of that growing comprehension will occupy the Church’s reflection throughout the Octave of Easter. The holy women are instructed at the tomb by the Risen One himself, although in one account, Mary Magdalene does not initially recognize him. Two disciples cannot recognize the Jesus they had known while talking with one they regard as a stranger on the road to Emmaus; only in the breaking of bread do they see that the one with whom they had traveled is the Risen Lord. At one appearance, the eleven disciples at first think that they are seeing a ghost. Even later, up along the Sea of Galilee, it takes a while for John and Peter to recognize that ‘It is the Lord!’ This sequence of growing comprehension and understanding concludes on the Octave of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday); there, the Church recalls the story of Thomas, who first refused to believe, but how, on encountering the Risen One personally, offers the Church’s confession of faith: ‘My Lord and my God!’”
Christ, risen, changes everything. Creation, promise and prophecy, time and expectation, vocation and worship now come into clearer focus. The unity of God’s revelation of Himself to the people of Israel and his revelation in his Son is confirmed. The Church is born!
Fr. Terry