Easter is at the very heart of the liturgical year and of the Christian faith. It celebrates our redemption in Christ and his promise of everlasting life. The seasonal celebration consists of a Triduum (three days) from Holy Thursday evening to Easter Sunday night. Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon of the spring equinox and is thus a movable feast. This dating is tied in with the traditional date given for Jesus’ crucifixion on the 14th day of Nisan (the date of the Passover in the year AD 30 on the Jewish lunar calendar). This season of joy spans 50 days from Easter to Pentecost Sunday. Readings focus on the themes of death to sin, resurrection, and living a life of grace. The example of the early Christians in the Acts of the Apostles is often given as a model of Christians alive in the Lord. The last ten days of the Easter Season celebrate the promise and gift of the Holy Spirit. Ascension Thursday occurs 40 days after Easter; Pentecost, 50 days after Easter. Pentecost Sunday celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit, the event in salvation history that inaugurated the Christian Church.

The Easter Triduum is the pinnacle of the Church Year, made even more special by the contribution of many parish ministers: Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Don Kendrick and the choir members of Schola Cantorum and Vox Nova, Singers Ingrid & Steve Penney, ushers, greeters, Altar Society members, and the wonderful church cleaning volunteers. Thank you so much to each one of you for your contribution to the enhancement of the worship life and ministry of the Parish. The Parish is most grateful for the time and talent you share so generously with us throughout the year. ● A special word of thanks to our volunteer RCIA director, Rita Spillane for her tireless work throughout the year to prepare those seeking to enter the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.

The community of Sacred Heart joyfully welcomes the RCIA candidates, our new parishioners, Michelle & JP Dolliver, Maria Garcia, and Joan McKee. We are grateful that you have joined our community of faith. Your witness reminds all of us of our continuing commitment to bear witness to our faith in every aspect of our lives. Be assured of our continued prayers for you, and may God continue to shower blessings upon all of you.