How do we know Jesus rose from the dead?  One of the best answers to that question is the existence of the Catholic Church itself.  There is no way you can explain the rise of Christianity without the Resurrection.  There were many kinds of messianic figures around the time of Jesus; all were done in by the Roman or Jewish authorities, just as Jesus was.  The corresponding movements that arose with each of those figures died out.  If any are remembered at all it would be by a few historians.

​However, in the case of Jesus, what emerges is the Catholic Church; a band of people who were willing to go around the world with the message, “He is Risen!” - even though it led to their deaths - so that this saving truth might be proclaimed.  The fact that they built up the Church on that witness and that the Church still endures to this day is a very powerful proof of the reality of the Resurrection.

Christ is Risen!  Indeed, He is Risen!

David J. Conrad

Today is Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord! He is risen! He is risen, indeed! The truth that is proclaimed this morning (and spectacularly at the Vigil last night) is that Christ has broken through the boundaries of sin and death forever. Christ breaks through the boundaries—the limits of the tomb—and saves us and sets us free, too. This is truly Amazing Grace! This is a great reason to celebrate and remember the mysteries of our faith!

​All of our living includes boundaries and limits. We have rules and regulations and rituals for everything we do—and this is not a bad thing. It helps to keep the normal chaos of everyday life and Murphy’s Law at bay. We are all limited by our abilities: be they physical, mental, or emotional. We are limited by our humanity, our nature and our instincts. But: we are also temples of the Holy Spirit, and with God’s grace we may extend our own personal boundaries as Christ extends our spiritual and eternal ones.

Today we rejoice in this day that the Lord has made; we rejoice that Christ has broken the chains of death and sin. In the Eucharist we join heaven and earth in praise of God, and with all the angels and saints in heaven we sing Alleluia, Glory to God and Hosanna to the Highest! There are no boundaries in praise of the God of Mercy. We experience a foretaste of heaven here on earth!

The stone is rolled away, and I know that my redeemer liveth! God has blessed us all!

Keep singing!

Elizabeth Dyc

Just a Note: I pray in particular for blessings for all of the members of the St. Aidan Music Ministry, for great appreciation and thanks for their continuing witness of faith and commitment to this parish. May God bless you all for your hard work, extra rehearsals, practice and love, in order to tell the story of our faith so well to God’s people. There are no boundaries in your generosity and kindness; you give great Glory to God!