Letter From Our Pastor

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Easter Message

Christ is Risen!  Truly He is Risen!  Easter Sunday is the most important day of the year for Christians where we celebrate that Jesus truly rose from the dead after the brutal events of Good Friday and the silent waiting of Holy Saturday.  The truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ astounded the first witnesses of this miracle two thousand years ago and its meaning continues to amaze us.  Despite all our technological advancements, our progress in science and medicine, our manufacturing and agricultural accomplishments, there are two things humanity has not solved:  sin and death.  When Jesus rose from the dead, God broke the reign of sin and death on humanity allowing us a future beyond this time and place.  Perhaps now more than ever, we see the effects of sin in our world played out on the world stage but also within our communities – bigotry, resentment, greed, anger, and other damaging attitudes.  Despite our scientific achievements that are prolonging life and helping people enjoy greater capacities well into their nineties (and beyond), we haven’t found a solution for our mortality.  Here is where the resurrection of Jesus Christ finds its meaning:  Jesus proves God’s love triumphs over the worst of our actions and God’s love even breaks death’s hold on us.  Our natural death is not something to be feared anymore but to embrace as a part of our ultimate journey home to God.  May the celebration of the days of Easter Season bring you and your family an increase in peace, hope, faith, joy and love of God and neighbour!  Happy Easter!  Christ is Risen!  Truly He is Risen!

Father Geoffrey Kerslake

Pastor

Sunday Reflection:  Third Sunday of Easter, Sunday, April 19, 2026

God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses.

Reflection

The Gospel today is the famous encounter of Cleopas and the other anonymous disciple with Christ on the road to Emmaus.  One of the striking things is how these two disciples failed to recognize Jesus as they walked with him away from Jerusalem on the way to a small community several miles away.  We wonder – “how could they not have recognized Jesus?”  But perhaps we shouldn’t be too hard on them.  They had just suffered from watching their hopes for the future disappear in brutal, tragic circumstances.  All of their dreams for a bright future seemingly died on the Cross with Jesus.  You see, we too can fail to recognize Christ in our midst.  The Church teaches us that Jesus Christ continues to be present with us, continues to be with us, just as real as he was with these disciples.  In the celebration of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, Christ is present among us.  May we have the open eyes of faith to recognize him.

Reprinted with permission from Faith Catholic

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To all the Parish’s generous faithful

Thank you to all who donate to the ongoing operation of the parish.  For e-Transfer please send it to admin@holyspiritparish.ca and use the password, Holyspirit (all one word with a capital H).  We currently have a significant number of parishioners who contribute via bank auto debit.  If you would like more information about the program or wish to participate, please contact the parish office at 613-836-8881 or email admin@holyspiritparish.ca