04-16-06

Easter Week

Christ is risen! Alleluia! Our belief in the resurrection of Jesus 15 the center of Christian faith. St. Paul wrote: “if Christ has not been raised, then empty is our preaching; empty, too, your faith. Indeed, we should then be exposed as false witnesses of God, for we have born witness before him that he raised up Christ; but he certainly did not raise him up if the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is in vain; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Cor. 15: 14-20) This is why Easter - not Christmas, not Good Friday, not Pentecost - is the greatest feast of the Church year. On Easter, we celebrate Christ's victory over sin and death; we have the pledge of eternal life with Christ.
The Church celebrates Easter as an Octave. We celebrate the feast of Easter all week long; every day this week, Sunday to Sunday, literally is Easter. This is why the days are listed in the Mass Intentions as “Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Easter Tuesday, etc.” Each day we read one of the Gospel stories of the risen Jesus' appearance to his disciples. We are called to celebrate Christ's resurrection this week in the same way. Let us not ask “How was Easter?” but “How are you celebrating Easter?” Christ is risen, as he said! Let us rejoice & be glad, Alleluia

VIBRANT PARISH LIFE - PHASE II
After Easter, we will form a Leadership Team to help guide St. Malachi through Vibrant Parish Life - Phase II. The team is responsible for planning education and for leading a process between now & October 1 to propose parishes St. Malachi is interested in forming a cluster with. If you are interested in this leadership team, contact Fr. Tony or Parish Council President Michael French [(216) 731-9898 or michaelkfrench@yahoo.com]. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide for this process & for the Spirit to lead the church to more vibrant Catholic life & ministry. If you have not read An Introduction to Vibrant Parish Life - Phase II, pick up a copy at the main entrance of the church.

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to parishioner Norm Bringman, will be honored as Fairview Park's 2006 Citizen of the Year in May. Norm served as Fairview Park City Council President.

St. Malachi Parish, Cleveland, OH

Mass Intentions

VOL. 36, NO. 21

Easter Week

Easter Sunday

April 16, 2006

Weekly Activities