Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Christ is Risen! Alleluia! The Easter message of joy echoes through the whole world proclaiming Our Lord’s ultimate victory of light over darkness, grace over sin, and life over death. It is the message upon which our faith rests and to which we anchor our own hope of victory with him.
St. Paul says, “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is useless, and our faith too is in vain” (Cf. 1 Cor 15:14). The Resurrection is thus the foundation and cornerstone of our faith. On Easter we are called to live as people deeply touched by the Lord’s Resurrection, those who cannot contain the Good News within themselves, and must run out to proclaim it. Like Mary Magdalene, Peter, John and all the disciples of Christ, may our encounter with the Risen Lord on our journey of faith touch us deeply and transform us into eager witnesses as well. May we become what St. Augustine referred to as an “Easter People”, a people changed into running disciples.
I take this opportunity to thank our priests, deacons, staff, ministers, catechists, lay leaders, volunteers and youths who have given so much of their time and talent during the season of Lent and Holy Week to assist with the liturgies, retreats, devotions and decoration of our church. You have been the visible faces of those “running disciples” in our parish. Your sacrifice has contributed to the spiritual renewal of countless people who came through our doors. I am also grateful to everyone else who has joined us in prayer. Your presence is itself a powerful testimony of our community’s new life in Christ.
May the joys of His Resurrection fill you and your family! Happy Easter!
Msgr. Cuong M. Pham
Monseñor Cuong M Pham