Ah…The sight, sounds, and smells of spring. The green grass, flowers, fresh rains…Wait a minute. Yes, you’re right, we are in Minnesota and it’s March, so the sight, sounds, and smells of spring may be different in this part of the northern hemisphere. True, Easter is approaching earlier than usual this year. Even though we may connect the liturgical season of Easter with the emergence of new life in spring time, we may have to work at internalizing the new life we celebrate.

 I always enjoy seeing those photographs showing tulips or other early spring flowers sporting several inches of new snow.  There’s something about the contrasts of cold and warmth, the old and new, which really does help us to recall the mystery we celebrate this season.

 Once again, we as a community of faith will gather to celebrate the Paschal Mystery—Jesus dying and rising from the dead. As human beings we each experience the contrasts of suffering and health, sadness and joy, despair and hope, death and life. As Christians, we live out those experiences with Jesus—giving all life meaning and purpose. We unite our joys and sufferings to those of Jesus. 

 With grateful, thankful and joy-filled hearts we approach the holiest of weeks—to journey once again with Jesus from the Last Supper, to Calvary, into the tomb and out of the tomb.

 So that St. Francis Xavier parish might be able to continue the vibrant ministries it offers each of you, I thank you in advance for your generous contribution to this year’s Easter collection.

 May you have a beautiful and blessed Easter!

Fr. Lauren

 Rev. Lauren Germann, pastor