Easter 2022

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Dear Parishioners and Friends of Old St. Joseph,

Our faith this Easter and every Easter is that the Lord has truly risen and our God continues to offer us hope and the promise of new life.  Christ’s Resurrection seems especially urgent and welcome for us in the times we are living. The past two years have deeply challenged us.  We now search for moral wisdom to respond to war in Ukraine and all the risks this poses for the world.  Closer to home we struggle with violence in our city and face complex economic uncertainty in our country.  The good news we celebrate this Easter is that into the uncertainty of our present experience the Risen Lord comes to dwell with us.  Because of what God has done and continues to do in the Resurrection of Christ we can ourselves dwell in confidence and peace. This is very good news indeed.

The scriptures tell us that the first believers in Jesus were confused, afraid, and uncertain about the future after his suffering and death.  In our vulnerability we can recognize perhaps more clearly our need for Christ as a true Savior.  We welcome Christ into our suffering and into our weary hearts and bodies.  We also welcome the Risen One into the joy and love that also animates our lives in many graced ways. Let us try to rest with the Lord for a while this Easter. 

I have for some time imagined that at least two or three persons were needed to roll away the heavy stone from that dark empty tomb on the first Easter morning.  It will also take two or three of us gathered together in a community of faith to help each other celebrate with joy the coming of the Risen Christ into our lives and world. Let us generously help one another welcome the Risen Christ into our lives each day now and into the future.

Happy Easter!

Francis T. Hannafey, S.J.
Pastor