By David Karas, John Blaine and Hal Brown | Correspondents
Joining their brothers and sisters around the world in celebrating the risen Lord, the Diocese’s faithful reflected on joy and peace in the Resurrection during the Easter morning Masses they attended with family and friends.
“I think it is the pinnacle of joy, of hope,” said Dorothy O’Hara of St. Michael Parish, West End, one of many who attended the 6 a.m. sunrise Mass April 1, hosted by the parish but held in the chapel at nearby Stella Maris Retreat House, Long Branch.
Photo Gallery: Easter sunrise Mass in Long Branch
Photo Gallery: Easter Mass in Sacred Heart Church
The Mass, which she was attending for the first time, was celebrated by Father John Butler, parish pastor.
“I wanted to see the beauty of the sun coming up,” said O’Hara, who served as an altar server and Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. “This is something I’ve always wanted to do.”
“Jesus has given us new life, and I don’t know how to put it into words,” she added.
The powerful effect of emotions was also felt in Sacred Heart Parish, Riverton, where Mary Lou Schofield attended a Mass later in the morning celebrated by Father Robert Holtz, pastor.
“We are filled with sorrow with all the events leading up to Easter,” said Schofield, who has been a member of the parish for six decades. “We remember with sadness all the events that led up to the death of Christ, but we celebrate life, death and the Resurrection of Jesus.”
Bridget Horgan, a lifelong parishioner who has been active in various ministries her entire life, said this Lenten season was, for her, one dedicated to discernment.
“I really took this opportunity to pray and get close to the Lord, and use my Lenten journey to come to new life in the Easter season,” she said.
She added that her current service in the parish music ministry contributes to her own celebration of faith.
“It helps me minster to the people, but I also get my fill of faith, and [to] be around the community I grew up with,” she said. “It really means a lot that everybody gets together to celebrate.”
Music is important to parishioner Fran Stinsman, too, and her husband, Michael, who is a deacon in the parish. She shared how the music during Easter Mass, especially the song “He’s Alive,” has always enlivened the couple as they celebrate the Resurrection.
“We used to play that song to our children before we would come to Mass on Easter Sunday,” she said, reflecting on family memories. “It’s a blessing to us.”
Family was important to St. Michael parishioner Sean Miller, too, who wanted to bring his four younger children to the sunrise Mass in Long Branch to show them a wonderful sight while celebrating an important occasion.
“Easter Mass really represents everything that the Church is all about,” he said. “It represents God’s true love for us.”
Video taken by freelance photographers John Blaine and Hal Brown contributed to this report.