Saint Mary of the Assumption
Rev. Fr. Craig R. Eilerman
Dear parishioners,
Despite the limitations social distancing imposed, I hope you had a wonderful and blessed Easter. As we begin the great fifty days, the Church invites us to reflect on how Christ’s Resurrection impacts our daily life. For the first Christians it meant a refocusing of values and a re-ordering of priorities. For us who have been followers of Christ for most if not all our lives, it may mean a reexamination of how the good news of Jesus’s triumph over sin and death illuminates our lives.
Joy is one of the hallmarks of a Christian. By joy, I am not referring to an unrealistic or naive view of the world. The crucifixion of Christ prevents that distortion. Christian joy isn’t a rejection of reality, but an embracing of reality. We are to recognize the world for what it is, both the good and the evil, and responding with hope and love. We know how the story of the world ends, God’s love triumphs. A question to ask ourselves, does my attitude reflect this joyful news?
During the COVID- 19 pandemic we have an opportunity both in small and in not so small ways to witness the world, the joy of being a Christian. Amid the continuing disappointments, the uncertainty, the struggles of loneliness for some and the struggles of too much togetherness for others, does our joyful attitude shine forth. In the Gospel proclaimed this Sunday, John 20:19-31, our risen Lord’s first words to his fearful and distraught disciples are “Peace be with you”. The marks of crucifixion are still visible on Christ’s body, but they are no longer signs of cruelty and hatred, but have been transformed into signs of love and reconciliation. We are all being marked in a greater or lesser way by this pandemic, may the power of Christ’s Resurrection transform us into Christ’s instruments of peace and joy.
If you are reading my weekly letters on the parish website or on a hard copy of the bulletin, you can receive them via an email by signing up on the parish website:
1.) Go to www.stmarylancaster.org
2.) On the Home Page scroll down until you see-Subscribe to our mailing list…
3.) Type in your First name/Last name/Email address
4.) Hit SUBSCRIBE
As I mentioned in my Easter letter, if you, or someone you know in our parish, could use some help with a run to the grocery for an order pick-up, or grocery shopping, or picking up medicine at a pharmacy, please call our parish homebound care coordinator: Casandra Uhl at 1.517.980.4361. Casandra will get some initial information from you and connect one of our volunteers with you to take care of running your errand. If you are interested in potentially volunteering, please contact Brian McCauley.
There are still bottles of Easter Holy Water available on the front porch of the rectory. They will be left there until all bottles are gone.
Let us continue to pray for one another.
The peace of Christ be with you,
Fr. Craig Eilerman
Pastor