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Pastor 主任司鐸 Fr. Bruce-John Hamilton
Assistant 助理司鐸 Fr. James Kairu
Chinese Mass 中文彌撒司鐸 Fr. Anthony Ho
Parish Office Hrs 堂區辦事處時間 Tue—Fri 8:30am to 12:00 pm
1:00 to 4:00 pm Closed for Lunch at 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Corpus Christi Elementary School 6344 Nanaimo Street Vancouver, BC V5P 4K6 Phone: 604-321-1117 Fax: 604-321-1410 Email: [email protected] Website: www.corpuschristi-school.ca Principal: Ms. Rosa Natola
Sunday Mass 主日彌撒 Saturday Vigil 週六:
7:00 pm (English 英) Sunday 週日:
8:30 am (English 英)
10:00 am (English 英)
11:30 am (English 英) 3:00 pm (Cantonese)
Weekday Mass 平日彌撒 Mon.—Fri. 週一至五 8:00 am Wednesday 9:05 am (School Mass when in session) Friday 7:00 pm Saturdays & Holidays 9:00 am
Reconciliation 修和聖事 Saturday 9:30 am – 10:15 am 6:00 pm – 6:40 pm Monday—Friday 7:45 am —7:55 am Friday 6:15pm —6:40 pm Sunday (In Cantonese) 2:30—2:55 pm
Liturgy of the Hours/Devotions
Office of Readings Daily 7:00 am Saturdays/Holidays 8:00 am Lauds Daily 7:40 am Saturdays/Holidays 8:40 am Sunday 8:00 am Holy Rosary, after weekday Mass Divine Mercy Devotion Fridays 6:35 pm Our Lady of Perpetual Help Saturday 9:30 am
想在聖體小堂朝拜耶穌聖體，請
親臨堂區辦事處，領取門鎖密碼
聖堂明供聖體時間是每星期五下
午 5:45 至 6:45
聖時：下午 6:00
April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection
PARISH MINISTRIES
Adoration Chapel Jarka Fusekova
Altar Servers Fr. James Kairu, Director
Connie Robinson, Asst. Director
Baptism Preparation Class Jackson Fong/Adelia Yiu/Anita Gill
Bible Study Fr. Bruce-John Hamilton (Scripture Study)
Joyce Fung (Tuesday Morning Group)
Joseph Chiu (Chinese)
Catering Theresa Stewart
Catholic Women’s League Leni Fong, President
Chinese Community Frank Chan
Choir
Sat. 7pm & Sun. 8:30am Dominica Chan
Sun. 10am & 11:30am Cristy Luettschwager
Chinese 3pm Vincent Lau
Church Care Helen Estrellado
Altar Linens Agnes Lo
Church Flowers Monica Lau
Church Cleaning Cristy Luettschwager
Church Gardens Adele Almoite
Couples for Christ Neil & Cristy Loresco
Russell & Theresa Zablan
Richman & Nina Therese Manalili
Eucharistic Ministry Bill Lam
Knights of Columbus David Robinson, Grand Knight
Legion of Mary Vickie Cornwall, President
Parish Religious Education
Program (PREP) Veronica Yam, Coordinator
Project Advance Jackson Fong/Dominica Chan/Simon Yeung
Queen of Angels JoJo Cheung/June Tow
RCIA Fr. Bruce-John Hamilton (English)
Joseph Chiu (Cantonese)
Readers Irene Goh-Ko
Safe Environment Ruby Socorro Arico
Seniors’ Ministry Jackson Fong/Theresa Stewart
Stewardship Marcelle Girard
Ushers Colleen van Winkel
Youth Ministry Sheila Gill (Youth Steering Committee)
Chris Verhagen (Junior Youth)
Cory Mae Omega (Senior Youth)
BAPTISM
The Baptism Preparation Classes for
parents are held every 1st (Part 1) and 3rd
(Part 2) Saturdays of the month, 10:30
am to 12 noon, except during the months
of July and August. Parents must attend
both sessions. Call the Parish Office to
pre-register for the class. Baptism
celebrations are held every 1st and 3rd
Sundays of the month following the
11:30am Mass.
HOLY MATRIMONY
We welcome your wedding celebration
at Corpus Christi Church. To arrange the
date and begin your preparations, please
contact the Parish Office or either one of
our priests at least 6 months prior to the
proposed wedding date.
ANNOINTING OF THE SICK
If your loved one, relative or friend
would like to arrange for a priest for the
administration of the Sacrament of the
Annointing of the Sick or to visit the sick
in a hospital, please phone the Parish
Office. Or you may contact the hospital
chaplain:
VGH: 604-877-5918 (Pager)
Fr. Jude Iloghalu (Mon., Tue., Fri.,
Sat. and Sun.)
Fr. Miguel Segura Blay, Fr. Gilbert
Nunez, Fr. Luis Martin Brain Delgado
(Wed. and Thurs.)
MOUNT ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL:
Fr. Martin Tuyen Nguyen, OP
(Chaplain)
604-876-7826
BURNABY HOSPITAL:
St. Theresa’s Parish (Chaplain)
604-298-6800
ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL:
Fr. Rajesh Madtha, OCD
604-806-7290
WELCOME TO NEW PARISHIONERS AND VISITORS: If you would like to become a member of the Corpus Christi
Parish Community, please complete a Parish Registration Form (located by the bulletin board on the left-hand side near the
main door of the Church) and introduce yourself to the priests. Envelopes are assigned to those who request for them. Please
pick them up at the church vestibule or at the Parish Office.
Saturday, March 31 Easter Vigil Mass 8:00 PM for Newly Baptized Members of the Church
Sunday, April 1 Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection
8:30 AM for All Souls in Purgatory
10:00 AM for Giuseppe Taddei, RIP
11:30 AM for All Parishioners, living & deceased
3:00 PM for John Lau, RIP
Monday, April 2 Easter Monday
9:00 AM for Elvie Daza Francisco, RIP
Tuesday, April 3
8:00 AM for Wee Phek Kiaw, Health
Wednesday, April 4
8:00 AM for Angela Wong, Thanksgiving
9:00 AM SCHOOL MASS
Thursday, April 5
8:00 AM for Keith Snowden, RIP
Friday, April 6
8:00 AM for Mrs. Leung, RIP
7:00 PM for Priest’s Intention
Saturday, April 7
9:00 AM for Angel Escarcha, RIP
7:00 PM Vigil Mass for Ivan Kos, RIP
Sunday, April 8 Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)
8:30 AM for Angela, Nieves, & Dolores, Cartago, RIP
10:00 AM for All Parishioners, living & deceased
11:30 AM for Rodolfo Soriano, RIP
3:00 PM for Koo Mui, RIP
Altar Servers Activities
FR. JAMES’ MYSTERY MOVIE for servers grades 3 - 6: Saturday, April 7 from 2 pm – 4 pm. See details in your email. EASTER ALTAR SERVERS LUNCHEON for ALL servers and their families: Sunday, April 8 from 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm. Don’t miss out on this special Easter Celebration! See details in your email. BOTTLE DRIVE for servers grades 7 and up: Saturday, May 5 from 10 am – 1 pm Parishioners, please save your recyclable containers: pop cans, beer cans, bottles, juice boxes and bring them to the CC parking lot on May 5. No milk product or American containers because the recycling depot doesn’t accept them. This is an easy way to get rid of your containers and to support the Altar Servers now and possibly seminarians in the future. Thank you!
HAPPY EASTER!!!
Fr. Hamilton, Fr. Kairu and the Staff at Corpus Christi Parish wish you all a very blessed and joyous Easter!
Knights of Columbus
Come and pray the Rosary with the Knights of Columbus on Wednesday April 4th at 7 pm in Our Lady's Chapel.
We will have a Silver Rose which has travelled from Mexico through the US and into Canada. We will offer a devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe as well.
DISCOVERY FAITH STUDY The Discovery faith study is happening for young adults at Corpus Christi Parish starting Sunday, April 8th at 6:30pm. Discovery is a dynamic and challenging six-week program calling us to come and rediscover God's personal love, His message of forgiveness, and His desire for us. Enrich your relationship with Jesus in a vibrant and supportive community! Open to all young adults ages 18-40. For details and sign-up, please contact [email protected]
East Vancouver Deanery Adult Ministry Education Series: Ministering to Migrants
Saturday April 7 from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 555 Slocan St., Vancouver. Fr. Richard Zanotti CS, Fr. Rosemond Sylvestre CS and Sr. Karina Farias CMT will share their experience and guide participants to reflect on how their lives have been affected by migration, and responses to current challenges. Free admission; refreshments. For information contact Our Lady of Sorrows Parish (604-254-0691 / [email protected]) or the organizers of the Vancouver East Deanery “Growing Christian Life” series: Corpus Christi Parish (604-324-2265/ [email protected] or [email protected]).
Seniors Ministry High Tea
Corpus Christi Seniors Ministry invites all Seniors to a Traditional High Tea Social Event on Sunday, May 6th starting at 2:00pm in the school gym. Tickets for this event will be handed out after all weekend masses on April 7th/8th & April 14th/15th. Come out and join your fellow Seniors for an enjoyable afternoon tea social and to learn more about the Seniors Ministry.
April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection
Time Change for First Holy Communion Due to a scheduling conflict, the Holy Communion Mass celebration will take place at 9:00am on Saturday April 28th, 2018.
Children need to be in the school gym at 8:30am. Please ensure your child arrives to school dressed in their gown. (Gowns will be distributed on April 4th following the retreat)
Also note, there is a parish event taking place directly after the communion mass, all photos will take place in the school gym.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Legion of Mary
The Queen of Apostles Curia will hold its annual ACIES ceremony on Saturday, April 7 at St. Andrew’s Parish (East 47th Ave., near Fraser Street, Vancouver). It will start with Rosary at 10:00 am followed by Holy Mass at 10:30 am. All active and auxiliary members of Our Lady of the Roses Praesidium are encouraged to attend. Let us renew our fealty to Mary, our Mother and our Queen!
ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS
Fiat: Women's Discernment Events - Movie Night
Fiat activities are open to single Catholic women ages 18-35 who are open to discerning God’s call in life. Following the example of Mary, who gave her fiat to be both virgin and mother, we desire to hear and follow God’s call to holiness through discernment of his will for our life and vocation. Join us for an evening of prayer, pizza, and a movie on Saturday, April 7, at 6 pm at Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist convent, 2811 Venables Street, Vancouver. http://rcav.org/event/fiat-womens-discernment-events-movie-night
Gardens of Gethsemani Open House
Set aside your sacred space at our Annual Spring Open House. Plan to attend, tour the cemetery via golf cart, select your space, and meet with an Advisor to make a contract. Some light refreshments will be served. Friday, April 13, and Saturday, April 14, from 9 am to 6 pm on both days. Visit www.rccav.org for more info.
MONTHLY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION - INTENSIVE PRAYER
The Matthew 7.7 Prayer Brigade, a group of prayer warriors of the Office of the Filipino Ministry (http://rcav.org/Filipino-Ministry) gather month-to-month in different parishes for Intensive Prayer with Scriptural Rosaries during a 3-hour Eucharistic Adoration. Coming month's will be on April 14, 2018, 1:00-4:00 pm in Our Lady of Sorrows, 555 Slocan St., Vancouver, BC ... for the intentions of all families in the Archdiocese of Vancouver especially in this Parish. Please come join us. Prayers are in English and invitation is for all. Petitions and Thanksgiving boxes are provided and will be brought to the Blessed Sacrament before start of the Adoration.
Spring Institute
Archdiocesan Seasonal Institutes provide participants with an opportunity to study and learn about the rich traditions of the Catholic faith and are especially suited for lay people and those serving in Catholic parishes. The courses are open to everyone. Saturday, April 14, at Notre Dame Regional Secondary School, Vancouver. Cost: $40. To register or for more info. visit www.rcav.org/oc-spring
Celebrate your Milestone Anniversary with us!
Join us for a special Mass celebrated by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, honouring couples celebrating their milestone anniversaries: 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, 55th & 60th+ years of marriage. Mass will be on Sunday, May 13 at 2 pm at St. Matthew Parish, Surrey. Reception to follow in the parish gym with exhibitors present in Jubilee Hall. Register your milestone anniversary here: http://rcav.org/marriage-anniversary/. All are welcome to witness and celebrate the milestone anniversaries of others this Mother’s Day!
Stewardship Reflections
“Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.”
– COLOSSIANS 3:2
On this day we thank God for His Son, Jesus, who died and rose for us. We celebrate and sing “Alleluia.” Let’s try
to keep the joy of this Easter season in our hearts throughout the year! Pray daily and listen for how He is calling each of us to joyfully use our gifts to fulfill His
salvation plan.
http://archstl.org/stewardship/page/bulletin-inserts
Funeral Announcement
In your charity, please remember
Frank Rovtar
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 7 @ 1:00 pm
Easter Sunday
Can it get any better than this? What I am referring to is the obvious fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead. I will say that last part again – the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. He was dead and is now
alive! Sometimes I think we have heard too often in the sense that it doesn’t profoundly move us, the truth of this
statement does not fill our Churches, that we do not spend more time in prayer, in communion with God the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. No other religion is like the Catholic religion; no other Person in history in like Jesus Christ.
Today we celebrate THE greatest event that has ever occurred and will ever occur until the second coming of Christ
to judge the living and the dead.
I hope, I pray, that everyone gives a lot of thanks, and expresses deep gratitude to God for all the love that he
bestows on us many times, despite our indifference, our slow response, our going astray. God has never given up and
will never give up. Jesus Christ was born; Jesus Christ died and Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. This is our hope,
our longing for life without end. Today is a day when we are called to renew our baptismal promises – so renew
them from the heart and resolve to cooperate with the grace that Jesus Christ makes available to you through the sacraments beginning in baptism.
Thank you to everyone for assisting in the preparations for Holy Week and in making the Triduum and
Easter celebrations beautiful. Fr. James who is of continuous assistance to me throughout the year and especially
during this busy time of the year; Joseph Chiu who teaches RCIA in Cantonese - thank you for the time you give so
generously to these candidates; all the Choirs who sang Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and the 3:00pm
Mass on Sunday; the Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who assist the priests in distributing the
Eucharist; cleaning of the Altar Linens, taking care of the flowers in the sanctuary and Church (always so beautiful);
Readers who assist with Reading the Word of God in Mass; the many people who regularly clean our parish church
and keep it clean; Ushers who assist in taking up the collection and helping parishioners as needed; Counters of the
collection (a hidden but essential task); my parish Staff who work tirelessly throughout the year in many, many
different ways and while last(,) but certainly not least the Altar Servers who come out every Sunday and especially
during the Triduum – your presence is very important. I thank all of you for the giving of your time and talents to the church.
This coming Friday the Grade 7 students of Corpus Christi will have a day of retreat in order to help them
prepare for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is important that we pray for these young people of
our parish (whether you know them personally or not) – so that they will be good soldiers of Jesus Christ and to use
St(.) Paul’s expression: “to never be ashamed of the gospel” (Romans 1:16).
We began the Divine Mercy Novena on Good Friday. If you have not started it you can begin it even now. I
know it is best to begin on the appointed day, but I also believe in “better late than never” … with regards to Novenas.
Confirmation of the Grade 7 students will take place on April 10th beginning at 7:00pm. His Grace, Archbishop Miller will confer the sacrament on our students. Everyone is welcome to attend this Mass.
This is the day the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice! He is Risen! Hallelujah!
Fr. Hamilton
本堂神父的話
復活主日
有什麼可以更好呢？我要說的，很明顯是耶穌基督從死者中復活的事實。我再重複—耶穌基督從死者中
復活。祂曾死去，而現在活着。有時我以為我們聽得太多了，它似不能深深感動我們；這事實沒有充塞
我們的教會，沒有讓我們多花一點時間去祈禱，跟聖父、聖子、聖神父結合。世上沒有教會跟天主教一
樣，歷史上沒有人跟耶穌基督一樣。今天我們慶祝這史上最大的事跡，而這事跡會繼續發生直到基督第
二次來臨，審判生者死者。
我祈禱，期望每人都奉上不少的感恩，深深感謝天主不因為我們的冷淡，我們緩慢的回應，我們誤入歧
途，卻多次施予種種的愛。天主從未有放棄，也永不放棄。耶穌基督降生，耶穌基督死亡和耶穌基督從
死者中復活。這是我們的希望。我們渴望沒完的生命。今天，就是我們應邀而來重新我們領洗誓言的一
天—所以，從心內重新它，決誌與耶穌基督的寵愛合作，讓它從領洗開始時時跟我一起。
多謝為聖周準備的每一位，使三日敬禮，復活節慶典美侖美奐。James 神父，他一整年中不斷對我幫
忙，特別在這一年最忙的季節裡，Joseph Chiu 他教導廣東話慕道班—多謝你為慕道者慷慨奉上的時間
；所有歌詠團團員他們為聖周四，苦難主日，復活前夕和星期日下午 3:00 彌撒歌唱。送聖體員，他幫
助神父送聖體；清潔祭台台布，安排祭壇花卉（時常都見美麗）；讀經員，他們在彌撒中協助恭讀天主
的聖言；還有很多的經常清楚我們堂區聖堂的；領位員，他們協助收集奉獻，有需要時幫助教友；奉獻
核數員（一份隱蔽但重要的工作）；我堂區的職員，他們一整年不倦地在不同的領域上工作，最後，但
絕不是最少的，是祭台的服務員，他們每星期日，特別是三日敬禮的時候都忙碌工作—你們的出現是十
分重要的。我感激你們每一位為聖堂奉上你的時間，你的才幹。
下星期五，我們學校第七班學生會有一個一天的退省，為準備他們領受堅振聖事。我們需要為我們堂區
這些年青人祈禱（無論你認識或不認識他們）—所以他們可以成為耶穌的勇兵，套用聖保祿的話語“我
決不以福音為恥” （羅馬書 1:16）。
苦難星期五我們開始了慈悲串經的九日敬禮。如果你未有開始，甚至可以今日開始。我知道最好能在指
定的日子開始，但我也相信“遲也比沒做好” …為九日敬禮致意。
第七班學生的堅振聖事在 4 月 10 日下午 7:00 開始。主教 Miller 會親臨施放聖事。這一台彌撒歡迎所
有人士參加。
這是我們主人的一天，讓我們歡欣喜樂！祂被提升了！亞肋路亞！
Hamilton 神父
6350 Nanaimo Street, Vancouver, BC, V5P 4K7
Phone: 604-324-2265 Email: [email protected]
www.corpuschristi-parish.ca Charitable#: 11884 9470 RR0028
Dear Parishioners; Live Gratefully, Give Generously - Project Advance 2018
The annual Project Advance Appeal is of vital importance in strengthening our parish, our Archdiocese and our entire faith community. I want to again express my sincere gratitude for your continued response to this call and your generous support over the past years. Project Advance continues to allow our parish to meet our own unique needs to ensure that the legacy created by the sacrifices of past generations is sustained for the benefit of future generations. By giving generously in the spirit of stewardship, we not only are able to this legacy, we are also expressing our thanks to the Lord for His many graces.
Project Advance is all about stewardship and a way of life that acknowledges our dependence on God for all we are and all we have. It is about receiving God’s gift with gratitude, cultivating them responsibly, sharing them lovingly with others and accounting for them before the Lord.
The goal for the Archdiocese is $3.25 million which includes funding for Catholic Education and Pastoral Ministries as well as for many community outreach programs such as Sancta Maria House, The Door is Open, Vanspec and Evangelization & Family Life. Our goal is $110,000 which covers a $68,000 commitment to the Archdiocese and the balance to be used for our parish needs.
In 2017, our parish raised $113,527.00 and received $46,873.46 in net rebate which was used to upgrade the security system, to add safety improvements and to provide tree maintenance around the church. This year, we plan to use the rebate towards purchasing a new snow blower, emergency repairs to parish facilities and any remaining funds going towards the Capital Campaign. We will continue to solicit your input on what you would like to see as possible upgrades to our parish facilities. Once again, we count on your support not only to accomplish the financial goals but to also show our Catholic stewardship in action.
Starting April 07th, 2018, volunteers will be available after all Sunday Masses to accept your pledges. Payments can be made by cheque, cash or credit card in one lump sum or by installments. You may also use the new brochure’s detachable pledge card and envelope and return it to our parish or simply go online to www.rcav.org and make your pledge to our parish.
Thank you for your gift to this year’s Project Advance. Together let us continue to “live gratefully and give generously”. You can make a real difference in our parish community.
May God bless you abundantly and reward you for being a good steward.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Bruce-John Hamilton Pastor of Corpus Christi Parish
6350 Nanaimo Street, Vancouver, BC, V5P 4K7
Phone: 604-324-2265 Email: [email protected]
www.corpuschristi-parish.ca Charitable#: 11884 9470 RR0028
親愛的教友：
活於感恩，餽諸慷慨 — 教區擴展計劃 2018
每年一度的教區擴展呼籲在於強化我們堂區，總教區和我們整個信仰團體是極為重要的。我要再次為你們往
年來不斷的回應和支持致我真誠謝意。教區擴展計劃讓我們堂區能夠達成我們獨有的需求，以確保承傳世代
先人們不少的犧牲，為我們建設的遺產得以持久有利於我們的後代子孫。以善僕的神操，慷慨地奉獻，我們
不單可以維護我們的遺產，我們也向我們的主人對祂種種寵愛報以感謝。
教區擴展計劃都準是善僕精神，生命中一途徑去明認我們對天主的依靠，我們是誰、我們所有的。準是對得
蒙天主恩惠的感激，盡責地善用，以愛心與他人分享，向主匯報。
總教區的目標是325萬，這包括天主教的教育，各堂區和其他社團外展如Sancta Maria House， The Door is Open,
Vanspec 和 Evangelization & Family Life等的經費。我們的目標是11萬，這包括6萬8上繳教區，餘下的留作我們堂
區的各種需要。
2017年我們籌得11萬3千5百27圓，4萬6千8百73圓回饋作防盜系統升級，加裝安全設備，聖堂周邊樹木維護等
。今年我們計劃以回饋款項購買一新的吹雪機，堂區設備的緊急維修，餘下的撥作我們基建基金。我們會繼
續聆聽你們對聖堂設施希望見到的改進。再一次，我們依賴你的支持，不單為達到財政上的目標，也為顯示
我們履行天主教的善僕精神。
2018年4月7日開始，主日各台彌撒後我們有義工收集你們的奉獻。支票，現金，信用卡，分期，整付都一一
歡迎。你也可以撕下新傳單捐獻的一頁和信封寄回堂區，也可在網上www.rcav.org捐獻。
多謝你今年為教區擴展捐贈的禮物。讓我們一齊繼續“活於感恩，餽諸慷慨” 。你可以創一個不一樣的堂區。
願主豐厚地降福你，為作為一位忠僕獎賞你！
主內
Fr. Bruce-John Hamilton 神父
HOPE RESTORED
Today Christians around the world gather to celebrate the centrality of their faith—that
the Lord Jesus suffered, died, and rose from the dead to bring new life to all who believe.
What difference can Easter really make in our lives?
Any difference that Easter can bring can be summed up in one word:
hope. Picture yourself as one of the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. The one for whom
you had given up everything, the one in whom you had placed all your trust, the one who
seemed to be the way to freedom from fear—this one had been put to death in the most
horrifying way. He was nailed to a cross, and on that cross it seemed that hope itself
breathed its last. Have you ever felt that way—that hope had breathed its last? For many who lose a cherished job,
a spouse to death or divorce, a child to drug abuse or disease, there just doesn’t seem to be any hope remaining.
This was the kind of despair that Peter, John, and Mary of Magdalene must have been feeling on that first day of
the week.
EASTER: OUR OWN STORY
The Gospel story today is, in a nutshell, the story of our very own lives. It is a story of restored hope. Like those dis-
ciples, we must always, when in despair, see and believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. When we place our
belief in the power of God to raise Jesus from the dead, we also place our belief in the power of God to deliver
us from the death of despair, malaise, and hopelessness. This is at the heart of why we come to church this day.
We look to the empty tomb to find hope that was lost. It is for this that we raise heart and voice in an endless
“Alleluia!” Copyright © 2005, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.
Easter Lily
Easter lilies did not exist in the North America until about 100 years ago. The white trumpet lily, which blooms natu-
rally in springtime, was introduced here from Bermuda by Mrs. Thomas P. Sargent. The popular
name “Easter lilies” comes from the fact that they bloom around Eastertime. They have become
associated with Easter as much as poinsettias are with Christmas. In early Christian are the lily is
a symbol of purity because of its delicacy of form and its whiteness. For the same reason it
serves well as a symbol of resurrection.
Mystagogia
Easter does not end abruptly. It begins a season. Like all major feasts in the church year, it is celebrated
with an octave, a week-long festival. During the early centuries, those who were baptized at the Eater Vigil
would gather daily during Easter Week for further instructions in the Christian faith. These special instruc-
tions were called “mystagogia.” This mystagogia has been revived today in parishes. Once again, it is an
important feature of the newly baptized adults’ journey of new faith continuing for the fifty days of Eastertime
EASTER PRAYER
Jesus, Lord, don't let the fear of death overpower us. And don't let the loss of our
loved ones cause us to doubt Your power to "Easter" everybody.
Remind us, Lord, that You have the last words over death. You are risen!
You are not "among the dead." Neither are we. We shall live forever in Your
triumphant love. Amen.
