A very Happy Easter to you.
I hope you’re all keeping well.
A big part of the Easter liturgy is the the Easter candle, the Paschal candle. Normally, it would be lit from the blessed Easter fire at the Vigil Mass. At the fire we would hear the words ‘the fire of God’s glory’ and the prayer is that we as God’s faithful be inflamed with heavenly desires.
We’ve decided to save the blessing of the Easter candle until all this is over, when our doors are reopened and we’re all together again.
The Easter candle represents Jesus, the light of the world.
There have been occasions, so far, during this crisis when we have been invited to light a candle and place it in our front windows.
The lighted candle is a visible symbol of Christ the light of life, who is a source of hope in this life. He is a light in the darkness - so much needed in our world today with the darkness that surrounds us with this outbreak.
We long for the day when we can see the Easter candle burning brightly in St Andrew’s.
It will be burning brightly when the postponed baptisms and full reception into the Church, and postponed marriages are celebrated.
It will be burning brightly when we see the joy on the faces of the boys and girls whose postponed First Holy Communion and Confirmations will be celebrated.
And it will burning brightly at the funerals and memorial Masses of those who have died.
So, we look forward, when circumstances permit, to our Easter candle being blessed and burning in our midst.
Oh, and as we have a shed load of creme eggs (please, God, we’re out of this before their best before date is up) we look forward to the day when they can be handed out and the boys and girls can enjoy munching their way through them!!!
Happy Easter.
The heavens rejoice.
Creation sings.
Jesus Christ our King is risen.
Sound the trumpet of salvation.
Take care
I hope you have a lovely peaceful Easter Sunday.
Fr Mackle
I hope you’re all keeping well.
A big part of the Easter liturgy is the the Easter candle, the Paschal candle. Normally, it would be lit from the blessed Easter fire at the Vigil Mass. At the fire we would hear the words ‘the fire of God’s glory’ and the prayer is that we as God’s faithful be inflamed with heavenly desires.
We’ve decided to save the blessing of the Easter candle until all this is over, when our doors are reopened and we’re all together again.
The Easter candle represents Jesus, the light of the world.
There have been occasions, so far, during this crisis when we have been invited to light a candle and place it in our front windows.
The lighted candle is a visible symbol of Christ the light of life, who is a source of hope in this life. He is a light in the darkness - so much needed in our world today with the darkness that surrounds us with this outbreak.
We long for the day when we can see the Easter candle burning brightly in St Andrew’s.
It will be burning brightly when the postponed baptisms and full reception into the Church, and postponed marriages are celebrated.
It will be burning brightly when we see the joy on the faces of the boys and girls whose postponed First Holy Communion and Confirmations will be celebrated.
And it will burning brightly at the funerals and memorial Masses of those who have died.
So, we look forward, when circumstances permit, to our Easter candle being blessed and burning in our midst.
Oh, and as we have a shed load of creme eggs (please, God, we’re out of this before their best before date is up) we look forward to the day when they can be handed out and the boys and girls can enjoy munching their way through them!!!
Happy Easter.
The heavens rejoice.
Creation sings.
Jesus Christ our King is risen.
Sound the trumpet of salvation.
Take care
I hope you have a lovely peaceful Easter Sunday.
Fr Mackle
