Easter
Forming an Easter Parish
Father Michael White Comments Off on Forming an Easter Parish
In our Catholic culture, we sometimes seem to embrace a losing mentality. There are probably many reasons we do this. One comes from the incredible challenges we face as a Church community. We serve in a time of declining Church attendance in many places, as well as a period in which the Church has less Read More
Modeling the Easter Jesus
Bishop David J. Bonnar Comments Off on Modeling the Easter Jesus
One of my favorite theological professors was the Australian Jesuit Father Gerald O’Collins. For many years Father O’Collins taught fundamental theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. As a theologian, he authored many books, including “The Easter Jesus” (Longman & Todd). Every Easter I am reminded of this book, the title of which serves Read More
Servants of the Risen Christ
Father Ronald Patrick Raab Comments Off on Servants of the Risen Christ
For 40 years of priesthood I have prayed the multifaceted images, metaphors and names of Christ in the Easter season. I have counseled rough and addicted people with the Good Shepherd. I have offered congregations Christ’s first word of “peace” after the Resurrection. I have sorted through hardships in fragile marriages with the consoling image Read More
How to be Easter Priests
Father Ronald D. Witherup Comments Off on How to be Easter Priests
A seminary faculty colleague of mine had the reputation for being a very fine homilist. He had a knack for exposing the readings of the day in a way that also connected them to daily life. One of his homilies sticks in my mind and always returns to me during the Easter season. He bemoaned Read More
‘This Is the Night’
Father Paul Turner Comments Off on ‘This Is the Night’
Christianity stares at death and sees life. The Easter Vigil brings worshipers into the heart of this paradox. When tears should signal an impulsive reaction to death, a lone singer stands athwart the community with a counterintuitive message shortly after it observed the crucifixion of Jesus: “Rejoice!” The Easter Proclamation summons angel hosts, the earth Read More
Encountering Mystery: The Women at the Tomb
Patricia Sharbaugh Comments Off on Encountering Mystery: The Women at the Tomb
Mark’s Gospel concludes with a large rock inexplicably moved, an empty tomb, a message of the good news proclaimed by an angel and women witnesses who are afraid and remain silent. The ending of Mark’s Gospel paints the triumphant news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in muted colors. We may long for the bright, Read More
Coping with Holy Week and Easter Exhaustion
Bishop David J. Bonnar Comments Off on Coping with Holy Week and Easter Exhaustion
Amid the glorious joy of Easter there is, typical for every clergyman, accompanying fatigue. The holy season of Lent can be draining. In addition to the personal devotion to prayer, fasting and almsgiving, there is also the tiredness that comes from ministering through the 40 days in the desert. Not only do we battle our Read More
COVID-19: A pastor’s perspective: Easter Faith Emanates from the Empty Tomb
Father David J. Bonnar Comments Off on COVID-19: A pastor’s perspective: Easter Faith Emanates from the Empty Tomb
Back in the day, men from the United States who studied for the priesthood in Rome used to travel across the ocean by boat. What now takes roughly eight hours by plane from the East Coast back then took days. When I was a seminarian in Rome many years ago, I remember an older priest Read More