“Once more we are ushered into this another opportunity to experience the richness of God’s mercy and love as we recall His Passion, Death,and Resurrection. You must be familiar with the Latin phrase “Paschal Triduum.” “Paschal” (Latin, paschalis = of or pertaining to the Passover) is the adjective formed from the English word “Pasch”, a preferable alternative to the more common “Easter” (Greek and Latin, Pascha, from the Hebrew Pesah or Pesach = Passover). The Latin word “triduum” is a space or  period of three days which includes the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, the Lord’s death on Good Friday, and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Because this is a week where we are given a chance to experience God’s divine love more deeply in our lives, it is my hope that we will devote our hearts and minds to penance, reflection, and worship more specifically during this three days. On Holy Saturday, we believe that our Lord is not yet risen from the dead. It has been a part of our Catholic tradition to observe a solemn silence and devote our time to prayer and reflection during this day.”   Excerpt from April 1st Notes From the Pastor

Easter Vigil ( Saturday, April 7 )

Arma: No Service
Girard: 8PM

Easter ( Sunday, April 8 )

Arma: 8 AM
Girard: 10 AM

An Easter Egg Hunt will follow the 10 AM Easter Service at St. Michael’s in Girard!

One of the most important expressions of love is presence. You wanted always to be present to the person you love, to be near, to be in constant contact. God has expressed that love to all of us. He is always present. That’s why we call him Emmanuel, “God is with us.” Always! “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Once more as we celebrate this Christmas we are not just proclaiming an event. We experience God’s presence among us. We experience his love and compassion. That’s the reason why he became human like us in all things except sin. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) God lives like us, shares our joys and sorrows and spread his light in the midst of our darkness. May every one of us continue to experience this love of God this Christmas and throughout the coming year.

I would like to thank everyone who in one way or another did some things and made our Christmas celebration successful and meaningful! Fr. Roger Lumbre, Pastor