Dear St. Joan of Arc Community,

Happy Easter!  Easter is the day of Resurrection, a day of new hope, of new beginnings, and of new life.  This is a time to celebrate, for Christ is victorious over sin and death.  Just as Jesus rose from the dead, so too can we rise from the ashes of Lent to new life in the Spirit of the Risen Christ.

The empty tomb reminds us that we have a future and we can move forward past the stones that block us from encountering the Risen Christ.  Do not be afraid, for nothing can keep you from the love of Jesus.  Our Easter liturgies remind us to trust in God’s love and to be a people unafraid of living in the joy and hope of the Resurrection.  Holy Week is a unique time of grace in our lives and our Triduum liturgies on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday were prayerful and filled with a wonderful spirit. And Easter morning was just amazing. I am so grateful for all who came and worshipped with us and also to our staff and volunteers who joined together so generously and joyfully to help us all experience the joy of the Easter Season.

Let us live in Easter joy, unafraid and at peace, for Jesus Christ is Risen!  Let us pray for each other, our parish, our school and our world.

And check out our new parish Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/sjaevanston/

On behalf of the entire staff, a Blessed Easter Season to you and your whole family!

Fr. Dan Costello
Pastor