Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord

March 31, 2013

EASTER: HE SHOWED THE DEPTHS OF HIS LOVE

We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song! Every Easter, we come together to celebrate with special joy and solemnity. We celebrate not just a past event, but who we are. But what does Easter really mean to us? Is Easter just the first long weekend of spring, an opportunity to gather with family and friends, to feast richly, to overdose on chocolate? What might happen if we chose, this year, to allow ourselves to be embraced more deeply and more personally by Christ? If we began to believe that Jesus embrcame to earth to live, die and rise again: not just for generic humanity, for all but for each and every one of us. For ME. Each of us, in one way or another, is affected by the reality of death and diminishment. We lose a loved one; we experience radical adjustments in our lives: the breakdown of a relationship, the loss of a job, a move to a new city, the diagnosis of a chronic illness. These experiences bring us face to face with our mortality but also with our hope in something beyond this life, in a reality that exists beyond the grave. Easter is about Jesus leading us over the threshold from death to life. I have come that you might have life, and have it in abundance! This life begins right here and now, and continues into eternity. It is up to me to claim the life that Jesus offers: precious in His sight, created by God, created for union with God. We can remain safe within our walls, sheltered from the storms that blow around us or we can go out into the world, believing that we will meet the risen Christ. This is what the new evangelization is all about: proclaiming the Good News that Christ is alive! For all that Jesus did and said, all he claimed and promised, did not die with his death on the Cross. His message lives on; He lives on. What we celebrate at Easter is unconditional, mind-blowing, death-defying, lifegiving love. So today, as we renew our baptismal promises, as we bless ourselves with the waters of new life, let us reclaim our identity as Catholic Christians: followers of the risen Christ, living members of his Body. Even if we have grown a little slack in our observance, or dont come to church as often as we might, or find it hard to put into practice the challenging yet life-giving teachings of Jesus. The spark of divine life was kindled in our hearts the day of our baptism, and nothing can take it away from us. On this Easter day, may we proudly reclaim our faith in Christs resurrection, and renew our commitment to follow Christ: in the Church and in the world, wherever we are sent. Christ is risen, Alleluia! Truly he is risen, Alleluia!

Thank you!
It takes a great many people, both in front and behind the scenes to make the Easter Liturgies a success. Fr. Raymond, Fr. Bertoli and the entire pastoral team would like to express their deep gratitude to everyone who gave so generously of their time and talents to make our Easter celebrations a success. Thank you to all, and blessings for a joy-filled Easter.

Mass Intentions: March 24-31, 2013

8:00 PM 8:30 11:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 4:00 March 30, 2013 The Easter Vigil March 31, 2013 Easter Morning Mass Easter Morning Mass April 1, 2013 Jackie & Jean Piquet April 2, 2013 Winifred Newman April 3, 2013 Carolina Santini April 4, 2013 Dr. Peter Par April 5, 2013 Pietro Mattei April 6, 2013 Italo Falcone and Italo & Anna Mariani April 7, 2013 Caterina & Franco Iacampo & Family Giacomo Fiori Holy Saturday Easter Sunday

Adult Faith Enrichment Upcoming events

COFFEE AND CONVERSATION Positive Discipline In this session we will focus on a few more parenting challenges, and discuss ways of overcoming them. Join us on Sunday, April 7, from 10 to10:50 a.m., in the dining room of the rectory. VIDEO DIVINA Fr. Raymond will present the movie The Way on Friday, April 19 at 7 p.m. in the parish rectory. Join him for this inspirational movie, followed by stimulating discussion. As this is the last movie of the Video Divina 2012-2013 series on Pilgrimage, you are invited to bring refreshments of your choice to share with the group. Popcorn will be provided. All are welcome! Please refer to www.stmonica.ca and the posters at the Church entrances for additional info. If you have any questions, please contact Anna at the office.

Easter Monday Sr. Lorraine Lebert, SSA Tuesday after Easter Michael Newman & Family Wednesday after Easter Olga Santini Matta Thursday after Easter The Pastoral Home Care Visitors Friday after Easter Antonietta & Luciano Falciani Saturday after Easter Luisa & Angelo Falcone The Second Sunday of Easter Bruno Fiori His Wife Berardina & Family

8:00 11:00

Take Time! Let God Find You!

A retreat with Sr. Elizabeth Purcell, fma on Saturday, April 6th, 2013 from 9 am3 pm at St. Veronica Parish (1300 Carson Ave., Dorval). Cost is $25 and includes lunch. Early bird special is $20 if you register before March 28. Contact Elizabeth Koessler at 514-925-4315 or ekoessler@diocesemontreal.org.

Your Generosity Thank you for your on-going support of our parish Last Sundays collection was $3,602.13

Never Letting Go"

A Benefit concert featuring JoAnne Mitchell along with eight, great Montreal musicians, Sunday April 14, 2013 at 4:00 PM in St. Monica's Parish Hall. Tickets are $10.00 each. PALM CROSS FUNDRAISER Our annual Palm Cross Fundraiser last weekend raised $582 for The Jason Fund. Thank you to all those parishioners who made a donation.