As we enter into the Sacred Triduum this Holy Thursday and through Easter Vigil and then Sunday Masses, we celebrate the Victory of Christ over sin and death; we celebrate the gift of Eternal Life in God, given to us in Agape or Divine Love, which He then calls us to share in our human lives in the here-and-now. Our sharing of His Agape manifests in the choices we make: selfishness or generosity; choosing Christ or choosing the self; attending to Faith in God or establishing other “gods” in our lives and the practice of those “rituals” as a priority of life. As the old saying goes—and because of His Love for us, which is Free Will—the choice is indeed ours. 

The Easter Season runs from Easter Sunday until Pentecost Sunday, which is June 8 this year. So we have from this Sunday until June 8, Pentecost, 51 days of Easter. That period of time is for going deeper into the waters of faith, and dropping our anchors, to wade in the Living Waters of faith and to grow spiritually closer to Christ. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a time of deep   theological or philosophical studies. No, it could and perhaps should be a time of a practicum—a time to actually do the things we say define a Christian disciples’ life: Believe it! Live it! Share it! We know what Christ asks of us, now will we actually do it? 

Being a Christian Catholic means “to do what we say we are.” These 51 days and more are a time to illustrate: 

• compassion and hope in the familial relationships that are stressful—the in-laws, the children, the spouse, or the boss and the neighbor; 
• It is a time to make some Street Sandwiches for the hungry homeless or cook a meal once-a month for St. Elizabeth House; maybe donate or help out with Pantry Partners;
• Offer some support to the youth ministry program or our faith formation program to encourage our younger parishioners to stick with the Catholic faith while the world is telling them love, kindness and hope are outdated; and,   
• To join the Men’s or Women’s Ministry and get more involved with our parish; Become a lector or Eucharistic Minister or altar server and dive deeper into the Mass of praise and worship of God.

These are a few of the things one might do to become who we say that we are; but they are not all the things one can do—not by a long shot. And, it is not necessary that we do it all, but rather it is about participation—doing what we can with the gifts and talents we possess, and to put those   talents and gifts at the feet of the Lord.   

As Joan Klem, our 88-year-old friend and honorary parishioner from Waterbury who watches our 11 a.m. Sunday Mass on livestream, and who sees clearly the generosity, hope and faith of this parish in the responses and actions of our faithful, we are blessed—and not just at Easter or at Christmastime—but all life long, both in this life and in the life to come. Join Joan and seeing the goodness here at St. Catherine and participating by becoming part of it…in some small act of   Christian compassion and kindness, which will illustrate to others our belief in Christ and our Easter Hope for all Eternity. 

A blessed and hope-filled Easter to you and yours!