Pastor's Pen - April 12, 2015

I sit here in my office on Monday morning, the day after Easter, still marveling at all that took place in the past week - Holy Week: Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Day. Wow, that is a lot to fit into one week. And it all seemed to go pretty smoothly this year (at least as I look at it now). There are always bumps along the way, but the blessings that were given and received are so worth the little bumps. I heard so many people say that this was one of the best Holy Week's they have experienced. God was working in some very powerful ways. I hope you were able to feel at least some of it.
As amazed as I am and as much as I heard all these great things, I can't help but think of all the poeple who helped to make it possible. If only you knew all the work that goes on behind the scenes to make for such beautiful celebration and prayer.
With fear of forgetting someone along the way, I want to try to thank as many as I can remember (sorry if I miss you). All the music ministers and the many hours of practice, the art and environment people who changed the decor almost daily, the ministry leads who searched endlessly to fill the many posts for the liturgy (servers, ushers, Eucharistic ministers, readers, sacristans), the people who had their feet washed (what a great experience that can be), the maintenance guys who open the baptismal pool and make sure things are clean and the lights are working, the liturgy cooordinators/directors (thank God for them), the candidates received into the church and the catechists who taught them (what an amazing witness).
All of these and the very people who came to worship, to accept God into their hearts, and to bring God from our celebration to the world. This is what church is all about - a people coming together to praise God and then bringing God to the rest of the world so they can know God also. (Don't forget to bring them back with you next Sunday).

The blessing of Easter be with you ALLways,
Fr. Chuck