Newsletter - 16 April 2023
Rejoice and Be Glad: The Season of Easter
Lent is a time when we give special attention to our spiritual life.
When Easter comes, it is often assumed that this comes to an end and things return to normal. Isn’t it strange – 40 days of Lent to prepare for the great feast of Easter but when the feast comes, it is back to normal and we do not take time to enjoy it?
Easter is so significant that it is celebrated not as a ‘day’ but as a ‘season’ lasting fifty days. The season is described in the Church’s guide for the liturgical year: The fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost are celebrated in joyful exultation as one feast day or better, as one ‘great Sunday.’ These above all others are the days for the singing of the Alleluia.
Of course, the focus of our spiritual life in Easter is different from Lent. In Lent we fast; in Easter we feast with a joyful celebration of the Risen Lord. In Lent, we refrain from singing the Alleluia; in Easter, we sing it with special intensity and joy. The Easter spirit is well captured in the Psalm we sing on Easter Sunday – “Let us rejoice and be glad!”
Here are a few suggestions for how the Bible can help keep your attention fixed on the joy of the season.
Give special attention to the Gospel readings for Sunday Masses
The first three Sundays recount appearances of the risen Christ.
The fourth Sunday presents Jesus as the Good Shepherd.
The last three Sundays are taken from Jesus’ “farewell discourse” at the Last Supper, which prepares his disciples for what was to come.
Note the that first reading is not taken from the Old Testament as usual, but from the Acts of the Apostles. Reading about the life and mission of the early Church makes it clear that something entirely new began at Easter.
At weekday Masses, the Book of Acts is read from beginning to end. You might read and pray with the whole of this book over the 50 days of Easter.
Whatever you chose to do in the Easter season, remember to ‘rejoice and be glad’ for Christ is risen. Truly, he is risen – Alleluia! -
Deacon Ted Wood, ccn
Focus of the Week
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
16 APRIL
In addition to the Sunday morning masses, there will be a clelebration for the Feast of the Divine Mercy.
1pm Adoration
1.30pm Rosary
2.30pm Divine Mercy Chaplet
3pm Mass
2-4pm Confessions
COCKFOSTERS SUNDAY EVENING MASS
The next Sunday evening mass will be 16 April at 5.30pm. The Mass includes music in a relaxed atmosphere, and is followed by the Cockfosters Parish Pub. Sunday evening masses are held on the third Sunday of each month.