“He is not here, but has been raised!” (Luke 24:6)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is truly Risen!

With great joy, I greet you on this glorious Easter morning. After the long journey through Lent and the sacred intensity of Holy Week, we now celebrate the heart of our Christian faith: the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, the stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty, and hope is alive!

Easter proclaims that sin does not have the last word, that death is not the end, and that God’s love is stronger than any darkness we may face. The Risen Lord enters our lives not with judgment, but with mercy; not with condemnation, but with peace. Like the disciples on that first Easter morning, we are invited to encounter the Risen Jesus and to let His light and life transform us.

Whether you are a regular member of our parish family or visiting today, please know that you are welcome, you are loved, and you belong in this community of faith. IHM is your spiritual home, and we rejoice to celebrate this day together as one family in Christ.

Easter Blessings and Gratitude

On behalf of our parish staff and ministry leaders, I extend to each of you my warmest Easter greetings. May the joy of Christ’s Resurrection fill your hearts and homes. May His peace comfort you, His grace strengthen you, and His light guide your every step.

I am deeply grateful to all who helped prepare our liturgies and church for this Easter celebration—our musicians and choir, decorators, lectors, altar servers, ministers of hospitality, sacristans, and all who serve so generously behind the scenes. Your love and dedication reflect the beauty of the Resurrection in action.

Let Us Carry Easter Forward

As we celebrate today, I invite each of us to ask:

• How will I carry the joy of Easter into my daily life?

• Who needs to hear the good news of hope, forgiveness, and new life from me?

• Where is the Risen Christ calling me to bring light, healing, or reconciliation?

Easter is not just one day—it is a way of life. Let us be an Easter people, radiating the joy and peace of the Risen Lord to a world so desperately in need of His love.

A Final Easter Wish

May this Easter season fill you and your loved ones with the hope that never fades, the peace that surpasses all understanding, and the joy that no one can take away.

Christ is Risen! Let us rejoice and be glad!

With love and Easter joy,
Fr. Matt