Dear Saints Joseph and Paul Parishioners, Christ is risen! He is truly risen!  Alleluia!  Easter is the most sacred day for a Christian.  This is the day that we have set aside to remember the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We remember His suffering on Good Friday but we praise God for His resurrection on Sunday morning.

We are Easter People living in a Good Friday world.  A Good Friday world is a world full of suffering, questioning, unfairness, trouble, mistakes, hurts, losses and grief.  A Good Friday world is a world of fear, of anxiety, of depression and shame.  Yes we live in a Good Friday world and we are faced with all the things a Good Friday world holds, but we are still Easter People.  We are Easter People, people who live in a Good Friday world as “visitors.”  Easter People have a reason to praise God, even in the midst of all of their circumstances, they can give God praise.  Easter People understand that this is all temporary.  Easter People know that although there may be times when we are suffering, it will not last forever.  Easter People know that although we are living in a Good Friday world, we are not of this world.  Our home is not this world so therefore we do not have to give in to its way of doing things.  Yes there are pains that we will experience; troubles we will have; days filled with doubt; and times when there is darkness all around us.  But through it all, we are Easter People.

When you are feeling bad and everything seems to be going in the wrong direction, remember you are an Easter Person because the Son got up.  When you are in doubt and not knowing which way to go, remember you are an Easter Person because the Son got up.  When all of your friends and family turn their backs on you and you start thinking that you are all alone in the world, remember you are an Easter Person because the Son got up.  You are an Easter Person!  Don’t forget this as you continue living in a Good Friday world.  As a parish, in the midst of this Easter joy, I want to invite you so that this Easter celebration is reflected in our faith commitment, and in the increase of our love for the parish.  Finally, I would like to thank all the volunteers of our parish who in communion with the parish staff, have made a great effort so that the liturgy on these special days of Holy Week were all done beautifully.  Always know that you are all very important to me and have a very important place in my heart.  May you and our faith family of Saints Joseph and Paul, along with all of our loved ones, have a most blessed and Happy Easter.

Fr. Kalombo