'We will always be an Easter people,' Bishop says in podcast, video
April 11, 2020 at 5:57 p.m.
Delivered via podcast and video, the message referenced the impact that the mandated coronavirus restrictions have had on Catholics and their inability to gather in their parish communities for Mass and other liturgical celebrations, especially during Holy Week. The Bishop acknowledged that during this year’s celebration of Easter, “so many of us are feeling a host of emotions different than in years past.”
“Easter was always a joyful day for Christian families everywhere, deeply spiritual and abundantly social,” he said. “It remains deeply spiritual, rooted in the greatest and most triumphant feast of our faith, the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus from the dead. Nothing can take that reality away!”
Bishop O’Connell said the unique and unprecedented circumstances may seem to mute the joy of the celebration of Easter this year. But he encouraged the faithful to remember that “we are still and always an Easter people!
“We are called to continue the sacrifice that the coronavirus has wrought this year. But the stone has been rolled back, the holy women found the tomb empty and the risen Lord has gone ahead to Galilee. Nothing can ever take that away from us.”
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Delivered via podcast and video, the message referenced the impact that the mandated coronavirus restrictions have had on Catholics and their inability to gather in their parish communities for Mass and other liturgical celebrations, especially during Holy Week. The Bishop acknowledged that during this year’s celebration of Easter, “so many of us are feeling a host of emotions different than in years past.”
“Easter was always a joyful day for Christian families everywhere, deeply spiritual and abundantly social,” he said. “It remains deeply spiritual, rooted in the greatest and most triumphant feast of our faith, the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus from the dead. Nothing can take that reality away!”
Bishop O’Connell said the unique and unprecedented circumstances may seem to mute the joy of the celebration of Easter this year. But he encouraged the faithful to remember that “we are still and always an Easter people!
“We are called to continue the sacrifice that the coronavirus has wrought this year. But the stone has been rolled back, the holy women found the tomb empty and the risen Lord has gone ahead to Galilee. Nothing can ever take that away from us.”