{"id":11762,"date":"2020-04-15T10:54:14","date_gmt":"2020-04-15T14:54:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fallriverdiocese.org\/?p=11762"},"modified":"2023-11-06T17:49:43","modified_gmt":"2023-11-06T17:49:43","slug":"bishops-blog-easter-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fallriverdiocese.org\/pt-pt\/bishops-blog\/bishops-blog-easter-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Easter Season"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Celebrating the Easter Season<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Happy Easter! Yes, despite our current circumstances, it is happy because Jesus has risen and overcome death. This time in our lives may feel as if Lent continues, but it will come to an end, this will pass, and if we use this time to focus on our relationships with God, family, and the world, we will all emerge better people.
\n
\nAs I shared in my Easter message<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

This year, we are left with our faith and our hope for better days soon. We have gone through a real Lent of tremendous sacrifice, but we cannot lose faith or hope, knowing that this crisis will pass. When it is over, we can rebuild our world and our lives. Counting on God\u2019s help and with strong faith, we will be better people and build a better world.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.fallriverdiocese.org\/app\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Bishop-da-Cunhas-Easter-Message-1.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>
\n 
\n<\/center>\n\n\n\n

Easter Homily<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Forty-six days ago, we began our Lenten journey. This year we made extraordinary sacrifices during Lent. Perhaps, the greatest one was not being able to go to church to receive the sacraments and to celebrate the Eucharist. We have had to let go of so many things we did every year during this time.
\nWe had kind of died a little bit. But then three days ago, we began the Easter Triduum. We celebrated the death of our Lord. Today, we can rejoice and celebrate his Resurrection, his victory over sin and death.
\nThis year, we all know Easter and Holy Week has been very different. No church attendance, celebrating and praying at home, no sacraments, no big family gathering to continue the celebration. No invited guests. Yes, our sacrifice is still continuing.
\nNow imagine the sadness and disappointment of all those who have been preparing to receive Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. Their hope and excitement about becoming Catholics \u2014 about being baptized, confirmed, receiving the Eucharist \u2014 has all been postponed. But I want to say to any candidates and catechumen \u2014 don’t get discouraged. You will receive the sacraments, and hopefully very soon, when we are able again to celebrate public Masses.
\nIf we find it challenging and difficult to rejoice and be happy today, remember Easter is fifty days. We have plenty of time to experience the presence and power of the Risen Lord in our lives. To pray and reflect on what all this means to us and to keep hoping.
\nEaster is proof that evil will not win the battle. Easter is proof that evil will not have the last word. As death did not have the last word in Jerusalem 2000 years ago, neither will the coronavirus have the last word in 2020. Easter reminds us that although we are living in this world, our eyes are set on heaven.
\nJesus did not suffer and die to make us culturally Catholic. He died to make us true disciples, make us saints, to make us holy, to call us to change and to conversion each day.
\nMy dear friends, my brothers and sisters in Christ, this crisis we are in demands and reminds us of our own fragility and vulnerability. Yet, Easter reminds us that God can turn things around. He did turn things around in Jerusalem; the people who betrayed and who sought to eliminate Jesus thought they could just kill Jesus, and everything would be over. No one would ever hear of Jesus again. God had a different plan, and he turned their planned upside down. And God’s plan is the one that remains until this day. So God will also reverse the course of this crisis we are in.
\nHe will have another plan for us and for our world. He will do with us and our situation what he did in Jerusalem 2000 years ago\u2014after suffering, there is reward. That is what Easter tells us.
\nJesus went through the suffering on the cross and death and God and raised him up to new life. Easter is proof that something really good can come out of suffering, from a crisis, and from difficult situations.
\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Watch Easter Mass and listen to the entire homily here: https:\/\/vimeo.com\/trendsociably\/review\/406868213\/b43644d1d4<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Divine Mercy Sunday<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On May 5, 2000, Pope St. John Paul II decreed that the Second Sunday of Easter to be Divine Mercy Sunday. St. Faustina\u2019s Diary records fourteen occasions when Jesus requested that a Feast of Mercy be observed. In 2002, the Vatican published an additional decree attaching a Plenary (or partial) Indulgence to Divine Mercy Sunday. To obtain this Indulgence, three conditions must be fulfilled: <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n