Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Mary’s of the Lake:

JESUS IS RISEN! ALLELUIA! In union with the universal church in our grand celebration of Easter may I say HAPPYEASTER to you and yours! May the
JOY of Easter fulfill all your needs,longings and expectations --especially the longings & expectations of a NEW or RENEWED life as authentic disciples of Jesus –[re]discovering Jesus, following Jesus, worshiping Jesus and sharing Jesus . With the inner Joy of Easter as Jesus’ disciples, may I invite you to imitate the two Apostles on Easter: When they were told that Jesus was not found in the tomb, they ironically ran directly to the empty tomb: They ran directly to the spot where they were told Jesus was not found. They did not know where Jesus was, but for the time being, they were more interested in where Jesus was not. Once they knew for sure the tomb was empty, or once they were certain where Jesus was not, they remembered and understood what was said about rising from the dead --about Resurrection and New Life! The blessing of Easter may have prompted you to be interested in where Jesus & His way, His truth, His values, and His teachings are not found in your life. You and I are called to open our hearts for His grace to fill us & to renew us, so that our lives may be fully human, fully Christian, and fully alive in the loving presence of our Risen Lord! Fr. Philip

Why not allow Him to win?

We are in the days preceding Easter. We are preparing to celebrate the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ over sin and death – over sin and death – not over someone and against someone else. But today, there is a war. Because there is something to be won this way, according to the way of the world? This is only the way to lose. Why not allow Him to win? Christ bore his cross to free us from the dominion of evil. He died so that life, love, peace might reign. Let the weapons be put down! Let the Easter truce begin. But not to provide more weapons and pick up the combat again – no! – a truce that will lead to peace, through real negotiation that is even disposed to some sacrifice for the good of the people. In fact, what victory is there in plant- ing a flag on a pile of rubble? [Above is part of Pope’ s Francis’ Remarks at the ANGELUS April 10, 2022]