Easter Joy and Thanks

Apr 25

Today we bring the Octave of Easter to a close. Easter, of course, is the most joyful time of the year as we celebrate Christ’s victory over everything, even death itself.

Before I speak about our Easter celebrations, I need to offer special thanks to Ellen and Walt Dombrowski and the incredible Fish Fry Committee. The time and energy that they dedicated to the Fish Fry paid off. It was a wonderful event because of their hard work. Thank you also to all of the volunteers, especially Luca and TJ and the other five fantastic young people who helped make it such a great night. Thank you to Father Kevin, for his help stocking the ice, soda, and water station, Michael Corliss, for providing such enjoyable music and entertainment throughout the evening, our maintenance department, for preparing the kitchen and ensuring everything ran smoothly, and Amy Marks and Michele DiBella for their work coordinating it all. Thank you to Kimberley and Bill Leahy from Thistle Catering, for once again delivering a delicious fish and shrimp dinner that our guests truly enjoyed. I can’t wait for the next Fish Fry!

As for our liturgical celebration on Easter Sunday and the Triduum leading up to it, the words “thank you” do not seem adequate. Everything was truly glorious and reflective of the joy of what we were celebrating.

A great thank you to Michele Beck, our Director of Liturgy and Music. Once again, Michele was able to pull everything together and assured us that the celebrations of Holy Thursday, the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, the Good Friday liturgy, the Easter Vigil, Easter Sunrise Mass, and all the Easter Sunday Masses were all incredible, Spirit-filled, and amazingly beautiful.

Thank you to all the cantors, musicians, and choirs that made our festive days truly festive!
Thank you all of our Altar Servers, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, and Presiders.
Thank you to our maintenance department and for the set ups, clean ups, takedowns and rebuilding.
Thank you to Tina Kelsall, and everyone who helped transform our beautiful church into a heavenly sight.
Thank you to Ellen Lang and Bill Malone, and everyone who helped us to celebrate the Easter Sunrise Mass at the 3rd Street beach in Beach Haven.
Thank you to the Long Beach Township Police Department for directing traffic during our Holy Week celebrations.

We can never underestimate how many people are needed and how much work actually goes into what you do! Thank you to everyone for your commitment and dedication to St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Your goodness, your work, and your kindness is very much appreciated.

Finally, I thank everyone who joined us for our celebrations this weekend. Thank you coming and being a witness to what we believe: the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I pray we each know the joy that comes from the depths of this Easter season and that we share that joy wherever we go.