Easter blessings and best wishes for a celebration of new life and renewal of faith in the Risen Lord!

Congratulations to Dana Morrison who received at the Easter Vigil the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. This part of the Easter celebration was important to Dana who through prayer and study was led by the Spirit to embrace the Catholic Faith. May her life be blessed abundantly. May Dana seek an even closer relationship with Christ and in a deeper way the fullness of the love of God through her practice of the Catholic Faith. Special thanks to Jim & Jeanine Sismour for their assistance with the RCIA program and their companionship with our newly initiated Catholic!

Congratulations to Charlotte Forsythe and Claudia Hebert, young parishioners who were recently selected for academic scholarships for the fall term at Oakland Catholic!

The Church calls us to be attentive to “Easter Duty” requiring all Catholics who are able to receive the Holy Eucharist to do so at least once a year particularly during the span of time that begins with the First Sunday of Lent through to “Trinity Sunday” (which this year is June 3). Please note that the worthy reception of the Holy Eucharist might require a prior reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (especially if mortal sin is present).

The Easter holidays typically bring to Sacred Heart parish those who may not regularly join the parish community on Sunday. Welcome! By virtue of our baptism we are directed in the practice of the Faith by both the Commandments as well as the “Precepts of the Church” We should desire to receive from Christ all that he wants to offer to us! What He offers was won at the price of His Life out of Love for us. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us:

Attendance at Mass on all Sundays and holy days of obligation is one of the particular ways in which we as Catholics minimally practice our Faith in Christ. Additional precepts include: the “Easter Duty”-to worthily receive the Eucharist at least during the Easter season (from the first Sunday of Lent
through to Trinity Sunday); to confess sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a year (although if one is aware of mortal sin, this sacrament is required before any reception of the Eucharist); to observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church; to help provide for
the needs of the Church according to your ability. With these in mind, would you (and the Church) consider yourself a “practicing Catholic”? If not, make this the new beginning!