On behalf of myself, Fr. Buckley, Fr. Griffith and Fr. O’Brien, and Staff of Our Lady of the Lake Parish I wish you all a Happy Easter. Holy Week and the Easter season are the most sacred times of the Church year. What we believe took place 2000 years ago following the death of Christ is the cornerstone of our faith. If someone asked me “What basic belief makes someone a Christian?” I’d have to say “the basic belief that after His death, Christ rose from the dead”. The next question would probably be “What does that mean for me?” We have the resurrection stories recounted in the 4 gospels but they are not consistent and the facts and rumors were spread by word of mouth for years before. They were recorded by the evangelists. Mark was the first gospel written around 60C.E. (30 years after the events) and John was the last gospel written around 90 C.E. (60 years after the events).

I believe there is life after this life. I don’t know what is beyond the grave but I do know who I believe. I believe I will celebrate new life in the presence of God and my loved ones after I die. I don’t live my life so I will earn that opportunity.  I believe it is a result of God’s unconditional love.

When we gather each weekend to celebrate our faith together at Our Lady of the Lake I want you to know how energized I am by that experience. Your presence at this Church and your choice to celebrate with us is a gift to me and to everyone in the parish. I don’t believe people come to Church because we know all the answers but rather because we have certain beliefs and at times we want to surround ourselves with others who share those beliefs. But those beliefs are constantly changing for me. My understanding of God or the Eucharist or the Resurrection are always being challenged as I read and listen to others who believe differently. That is exciting for me. I love being Catholic and I have no desire to change my affiliation but my understanding of Catholicism today is very different than it was years ago. If I had to believe everything I was taught with equal conviction it would be very difficult. So I have given myself permission to grow and evolve in every area of my life especially in my faith.

Our Lady of the Lake Parish is comprised of people from all around the country and the world. Every one of us has our customs, traditions and cultures that deeply affect what we believe and how we celebrate those beliefs. As we celebrate Easter together it doesn’t mean we know what the Resurrection is all about because we don’t.

We do know that something happened after Christ’s death and that event transformed the lives of Christ’s followers and they were never the same and they were inspired by the Holy Spirit to go out and share what they believed. It was that experience and the excitement it generated that lead to the beginning of Christianity and it is those events that bring us together today.

Thank you for choosing to celebrate Easter with us.  The Easter season which we now celebrate will last fifty days with the celebration of Pentecost.  The Easter Season lasts ten days longer than Lent which preceeds it.  This should be a cue to us of which season is most important to celebrate - Easter.  The season of celebrating new life in Christ Jesus through our Baptism.

Everyone is welcome at Our Lady of the Lake no matter where you are in your faith journey.

A Happy And Blessed Easter To You All!

Fr. Healy