Dear Parishioners,
As I write these words to you, the first day of Spring has arrived. But looking out my window, what do I see? Snow! While I enjoy a snow day as much as anyone else, I was rather hoping to see grass, buds on bushes, birds (robins) in trees, and the emergence of daffodils. It had been a long dreary and cold winter. So it was time for a change. Hopefully, Easter Sunday will give us that change in weather we all long for. However, whatever weather we find that (this) day, the joy of Easter will certainly warm our hearts. Jesus is risen from the dead, Alleluia! It means that life conquers death, good defeats evil, and sadness gives way to joy. It means that Jesus wants to raise our hearts as we face challenges, difficulties, and disappointments in life. And at the end of time, he wants to raise our bodies up to join his in the kingdom of heaven to share an eternity of joy. And we can experience some of that joy right now if we continue to stay connected with Jesus through prayer and sacrament. May you and your families keep the Easter joy throughout the year.
God Bless,
Fr. Carl
Rev. Stephen Hook is Pastor of the Pastorate of the Visitation which includes the Catholic Churches of Pasadena, Maryland: St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Riviera Beach) and Our Lady of the Chesapeake (Lakeshore). He is assisted by Associate Pastor Rev. John Belinki, Deacon Howard Klohr, and Deacon Rick Clemens. To learn more about our pastorate, please visit www.catholicpasadena.org.
