Easter is a time when God gives us the grace to kiss the past good-bye. It is a time to open the curtains and let in the sunshine of a new life in Christ. It is a time of accepting our forgiveness from the Father for Jesus sake, which means we are now able not only to forgive others but also to forgive ourselves.
April has been designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the United States since 1983. It is an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness and preventing child abuse. Blue Sunday is celebrated around the world on the last Sunday of April. It is a day to pray for abused children and for those who rescue them. Blue Sunday this year is April 30, 2017.
We have compiled the total number of adults who entered the Catholic Church in the Diocese of San Angelo at the Easter Vigil this year. The total number is 485. Of that number, 221 were baptized, and 264 were previously baptized in other churches and entered into full communion.
Cuando yo era un niño, el Domingo de Pascua era un día para recibir una canasta llena de dulces del Conejo de Pascua, vestírme muy especial para la Misa, y disfrutar de una buena comida con mi familia. Desde mi punto de vista joven, la mejor parte fue el conejo de chocolate hueco. Me gustaba especialmente morder las orejas.
When I was a child, Easter Sunday was a day for receiving a basket full of candy from the Easter Bunny, dressing up extra special for Mass, and enjoying a good meal with my family. From my young perspective, the best part was the hollow chocolate rabbit. I especially enjoyed biting off the ears.
Acabamos de escuchar las Bienaventuranzas del Sermón del Monte. ¿Qué es una Bienaventuranza? Es un recurso literario que se encuentra en la Biblia. Comienza “Dichosos los que…”, y luego se enumera alguna cualidad virtuosa. Hay más de 80 “Bienaventuranzas” dispersadas por todo el Antiguo y el Nuevo Testamento.
What is a Beatitude? IT's a literary device found in the Bible. It begins "Blessed is the one who . . .", and it then lists a virtuous quality. There are more than 80 "Beatitudes" scattered throughout the Old and New Testaments. It's a way of teaching virtues, and promoting certain personal qualities, and communicating values that shape a culture.
On Saturday, April 29, 2017, there will be a general cleanup of Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Cemetery personnel will remove and discard all flowers and decorations (including vases, statues, crosses, etc.) from all graves and mausoleums. There will be no exceptions, so everyone is asked to remove anything you do not want thrown away by 7:00 PM, Friday April 28. You may return flowers to graves on Sunday, April 30. Please keep in mind that only one flower arrangement per grave is permitted. We ask that no other decorations, other than a small American flag on national holidays, be placed on graves.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Administrative Committee has issued the following pastoral reflection in solidarity with those who have been forced to flee their homes due to violence, conflict, or fear in their native lands. In the statement, the bishops encourage each of us to do what we can to accompany migrants and refugees who seek a better life in the United States.