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It is always possible 09 April 2021
On Saturday evening, 3 April, the Holy Father presided at the Easter Vigil Mass at the Altar of the Chair of the Vatican Basilica. In his homily the Pope reflected on what it means to go to Galilee. It means to begin anew. The following is the English text of his homily.
Gina Christian
By Gina Christian • Posted April 9, 2021
Moments after our parish’s Easter Vigil Mass, and before I could flee the choir loft, the music director asked me to lead the singing at one of the following morning’s liturgies. The assigned cantor had fallen ill and there were no other available vocalists.
Almost without waiting for a reply, the director sat down at the organ so we could rehearse but the keys soon fell silent.
“Don’t drag that ‘Alleluia,’” he said, correcting my tired rendition of the Gospel acclamation. “Remember, this is Easter. That word should have a lilt to it.”
(Brett Hondow/Pixabay)
By Gina Christian • Posted April 8, 2021
Philadelphia’s soaring rates of homicide and gun violence are down to deep-rooted causes – and the solution ultimately lies in the hope offered by the Gospel, along with concrete action, say several archdiocesan clergy.
Since January, the city has seen a 33% increase in homicides over 2020, with at least 129 victims. As of April 6, there were 96 fatal shootings, with another 418 nonfatal gun attacks.
Last year was its own grim milestone, marking a 30-year high in Philadelphia’s murder rate, and exceeding the 2019 homicide total by 40%.
Those wounded or killed have included pregnant women and children as young as 11 months. One 55-year-old man, a member of a video production team, was shot dead March 31 in the city’s Strawberry Mansion section while filming an anti-violence documentary for Netflix.
Belfast, Northern Ireland, Apr 7, 2021 / 18:01 pm America/Denver (CNA).
With public religious services resuming in Northern Ireland, leaders have welcomed the return to worship and emphasized the dangers of isolation.
Public Masses resumed in the region March 26, while many ecclesial communities resumed their services April 4.
During Easter Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Belfast Telegraph reported, Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh welcomed back a virtual and physical community.
He said the Church was “conscious this year of the victims of the Covid crisis, including those who are finding it more and more difficult to cope with lockdown: the lonely and bereaved; those who are unable to see or embrace loved ones; those for whom the last year has brought increased financial or business worries; those whose relationships have been under great pressure; those who have found their addictions hard to manage.”
Image used for representational purpose only
PATNA: People celebrated Easter with utmost joy and enthusiasm amid Covid pandemic on Sunday. Saturday vigil, midnight mass and special morning Easter service followed by lighting of candles and singing of hymns marked Easter celebrations at city churches.
According to Father Prem Prakash SJ, the Vicar General of Patna Archdiocese, Easter is the most important festival for followers of Christ. “The Christian faith is based on the resurrection of Christ. Easter is a reminder of the sacrifices Jesus made for humanity. It signifies victory of good over evil,” he said.
As per the New Testament, Jesus died on the cross on Good Friday and came back to life three days later. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Sunday, which also marks the end of Lent, the 40-day period of fasting which begins on Ash Wednesday. Easter is the celebration of victory over death, a celebration of new life.