~ Joyce Rupp

Ave Maria Press, Inc.,
P.O. Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556.

After forty days with no Alleluia’s and no Gloria, when the time came, we certainly sang out with Easter joy!!

It is hard to believe that the very early date for Ash Wednesday that produced the early Easter Sunday is part of our collective memory.

I know that I can accurately say that thousands of people started the Lenten season on Ash Wednesday (February 6th) here at St. Edwards. Whether they came to Mass, a Prayer Service, or visited our church all throughout the day - they had the opportunity for prayer and received ashes.

Our Lenten season included many opportunities for prayer and reflection - including a Parish Mission presented by Deacon Kevin McCormack that was as thoughtful as it was enjoyable; two evenings of discussion centered on the book, “Left to Tell,” helped us to contemplate our call to forgiveness, love and the mercy of God.

Throughout Lent the people preparing to receive Easter Sacraments entered fully into the life and prayer of the Church. Gina Kwan, a Catechumen, prepared for her Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. On the first Sunday of Lent she went to St. Agnes in Rockville Centre for the Rite of Election where Bishop Murphy received all who were preparing for Baptism. The parishioners who gather at the 9:30 a.m. Mass became more familiar with the Dismissal during the year and the three Scrutinies during Lent.

Holy Week provided beautiful and seamless liturgies for the entire parish leading up to the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night. Although Gina Kwan was our only Baptism, Susan Waiter Tyranski, our Candidate, was received into Full Communion from the Anglican/Episcopalian tradition. Tara Callan and Kathryn Brust both received their Confirmation.

On Holy Saturday morning a great crew worked to beautify the Church. My mother always said, “Many hands make light work!” This has to be true since all of the lilies, flowers and plants were perfectly placed with much love throughout the Church. The Resurrected Christ was put into place, folks did everything that needed to be done and soon the entire Church reflected the joy and glory of Easter.

Some parishes slow down after Easter - but not St. Edward’s! The week after Easter we celebrated the 5th Anniversary of the Dedication of our new church. Those who came into the faith at Easter travelled to the Neophyte Mass with Bishop Murphy at St. Agnes Cathedral two weeks after Easter. As a parish we celebrated Good Shepherd Sunday with the three seminarians who served our parish and two others who are from St. Edward Confessor Parish.