Dear Friends in Christ, “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” The Fourth Sunday of Easter is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday because of the Scripture readings and Mass prayers appointed for this day in the sacred liturgy. The Latin word for shepherd is pastor, and…

Dear Friends in Christ, A few items for your consideration: 1. For the past decade, Chris Stansberry has provided outstanding leadership to our teens as the Director of Youth Ministry, but he believes the time has come to pass that baton to the next runner in the race. I am pleased to announce that effective…

Dear Friends in Christ, Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti! These Greek acclamations mean “Christ is Risen! He is truly Risen!”, and in the Christian East — both Catholic and Orthodox — these acclamations replace the usual greetings of hello and goodbye during the fifty days between Easter and Pentecost, the liturgical season of Easter or Eastertide.…

Dear Friends in Christ, Last night, at the beginning of the Easter Vigil, priests all over the world prepared the Paschal Candle which will burn before every altar of the Church throughout Eastertide and at every font during each Baptism in the coming year. In preparation for the lighting of the Paschal Candle, a symbol…