Christ is Risen!

Christ is risen, Alleluia!

We had a nice Easter weekend overall.  We made it to Ohio in time for the Stations of the Cross, though we wound up missing Good Friday services because my sister-in-law had the time wrong.  Easter Vigil was lovely and went very well, so they and their oldest daughter are now officially Catholic!  They attend St. John Neuman in Sunbury, it's a very nice and active parish.  Dh loves the priest and wants to move out there just to be members of that parish, ha!  I missed not being at our parish's services, but it was still very nice. 

Congratulations and welcome home to all who were received in the Church Saturday!

Oh, and don't forget to be praying the Divine Mercy Novena!  I was so tired by the time we got home yesterday that I fell asleep before I had a chance to do it, so I'll have to double up today.  Don't hesitate to catch up if you didn't get started yet, the intention is what matters, not perfection :)

Lent officially ends this Thursday with Holy Thursday (or Maundy Thursday), marking the start of my favorite liturgical season; Easter!  I love Holy Week and all the Easter services.  Easter Vigil is my favorite service of the year.  It's even more special this year because my sister in law and her husband are to be received into the Church!  It's something I've prayed for but didn't expect to happen so soon.  My brother in law was raised Methodist (his father is a minister, or whatever the term is for Methodists) and my sister in law has always been a staunch and devoted Christian, but had some serious theological issues with Catholicism.  So when they told us they were going to start attending RCIA classes, I was surprised!  Early Friday morning we're leaving to drive out to Ohio to be there when they're fully received.  We should arrive in time for all the Good Friday services at their parish (though the two little girls are going to spend the weekend with grandma, because they just can't tolerate hours and hours of services).

Easter season is also more meaningful for me on a personal level this year.  I would have been due with Dominic April 9th, just days after Easter Sunday.  Losing a son has sadly given me a unique perspective on the suffering of our Blessed Mother.  She knows so intimately our pain.  She might have been born without the stain of original sin, but she was fully human, and she suffered fully with a human heart.  I know she looks on mothers who have lost children with a special tenderness.

Alleluia, He is risen!