Dear Parishioners and Friends,
On behalf of all of us at our Pastorate of the Visitation, I would like to wish everyone a very Blessed and Joyous Easter! Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! Today is the most important day on the Christian calendar! For today, we celebrate Jesus’ triumph over sin and death, offering to us the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life in the heavenly kingdom. Jesus’ Resurrection also ushers in a new era in human history, where we have been invited into a deeper union with God and sent forth into the world to share our witness and testimony concerning the saving power of Christ. So go forth today—and every day—to proclaim that Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
The celebration of Easter is so important that the Church celebrates it as an Octave, meaning eight days. We also celebrate on Easter the Sacraments of Initiation for those becoming members of the Church. These men and women of our pastorate have been preparing for the Easter Vigil by their participation in our O.C.I.A program (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). I especially would like to thank Fr. John and all of the volunteers from both parishes who have walked this journey with our catechumens and candidates. We congratulate all who were baptized and/or have been confirmed in the Church this Easter Season!
Our scripture readings for the Easter Season focus on the Acts of the Apostles, the book of the Bible that gives us a glimpse into the experiences of the early Church enflamed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on that first Pentecost. Our Easter Season will conclude with the celebration of the Solemnity of Pentecost on May 24th.
Also during the Easter Season, our pastorate will be celebrating First Holy Communion for those who have been preparing to receive Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time. St. Jane’s celebration will be on Sunday, April 26th, and OLC will be celebrating the weekend of May 2nd–3rd.
There is still time for our 8th graders and high school youth to sign up for our Spring Retreat which is being held the weekend of April 24-26. The theme for the retreat is “I Believe.” Our retreats are awesome experiences for our youth, so I would highly recommend for you to encourage your 8th–12th graders to join us this year. Scholarships are available for those who may need the assistance to attend.
I would like to thank everyone who made our Lenten Journey and Easter celebrations so meaningful and spiritually uplifting. Special thanks to our Walking with Purpose leaders who spearheaded our Restore Lenten Journey. I have heard many testimonials from people who participated in the study of how the Holy Spirit moved them to deepen their faith and relationship with the Lord. Also, I would like to thank our music ministry from both parishes under the direction of Rob Henry (SJF) and Kevin Garner (OLC) who worked hard to prepare for our Holy Week and Easter liturgies. Thank you!
Thank you for keeping our Pastorate of the Visitation—St. Jane Frances de Chantal and Our Lady of the Chesapeake—in your daily prayers! You are always remembered in our daily prayers as well!
God Bless,
Fr. Steve, Fr. John & the Pastorate Staff
