"Best Ever" Easter Beginning

            This was the “best ever” Easter for me!  Let me tell you why.  But first, a word about “best evers.”
            As I declare this Easter the best ever, it is my hope that next Easter will also be the best ever…and the Easter after that.  I’m probably not any more optimistic or pessimistic than anyone else.  However, in Jesus, we can’t help but hope that our tomorrows will be filled with “betters” and “bests!” 
Also, what the Kingdom of God and the Paschal Mystery of Jesus tell us is that even what we think might be lousy or even horrible experiences can end up being a best ever.  Why was this Easter a best ever?

Three Reasons
There are three reasons why this Easter was the best ever.  The first is that Fr. Dave has taken on a huge responsibility in our Crescent Parishes as our Director of Worship.  His years of experience as a priest along with a great balance of values such as hard work, high expectations, and a striving for excellence helped make our Holy Week liturgies outstanding. 
In addition to all that organizing, when we assigned priests to the Triduum liturgies, he jumped at the chance to preside at the Easter Vigil.  In my twenty-five years as a priest, I’ve presided at 20 Easter Vigils.  This year, it was wonderful to experience the Vigil without the high pressure of leading it!
The second reason this was a best ever Easter was due to inspiration.  I felt inspired by the Spirit in reflecting on Matthew’s resurrection story, proclaimed at the Vigil, with an option to proclaim it at Masses during Easter Day.  The detail about going to Galilee to see Jesus in Matthew’s resurrection account hit me in a new way, which generated greater enthusiasm.
The third reason this was the best Easter ever is that we witnessed a growing unity and positive energy among our parishes.  Our Triduum and Easter liturgies included greater enthusiasm, more parishioners, “home comers” and visitors, and increased generosity over previous years! 

Thanks to So Many
            Thanks to parishioners who went out of their way to welcome guests and visitors!
            Thanks to Fr. Dave, music directors, choirs, and musicians, as well as ministers who helped to make our liturgies inspiring.  Special thanks to so many staff members who worked behind the scenes in the days of Holy Week to prepare for the Resurrection of the Lord.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Second Collection
            Next weekend is our annual Catholic Relief Services Collection.  Catholic Relief Services is perhaps the best worldwide charity.  Because the Catholic Church is in almost every place known to humanity, the Church already has communication and trusted aid networks established.  While some charities spend exorbitant amounts of money for fundraising and administration, CRS doesn’t, being a most wise steward. 
Thanks to those who help us care for our most vulnerable and in-need brothers and sisters throughout the world through generosity to Catholic Relief Services!

Bulletin Considerations
            Last week, Ginny Lubanski, Crescent Parishes Communications Manager, contributed a well-written and important reflection about our combined bulletin.  I asked Ginny to include it again in this week’s bulletin. 
Please pray for Ginny and all who are preparing to receive the sacrament of Marriage.  Ginny will be wed next week to her husband Andy Hans.  Therefore, soon, her last name will be changing, and she will be Ginny Hans.

Sincerely and with Love in Christ,
Fr. Pat