April 16, 2024, Class Update: The Paschal Candle

Easter Greetings once again!

At the 1964 Oscars ceremony, 60 years ago this month, Sidney Poitier became the first African-American to win an Oscar, which was for his role in the movie Lilies of the Field.  During that movie, he played the character Homer Smith, who sang a song about Christ's life.

That song, "Amen", was our opening prayer for class.

Pope Benedict XVI was born on April 16, 1927, in Germany.  The end of the first episode of the Catholicism series, hosted by Bishop Barron and Word on Fire, tells a story about Cardinal George at Pope Benedict's election. You can watch it here and go to the 40:00 mark.

We are part of a Church that has stood the test of time because God has made us to be His Holy people, and His Holy Spirit continues to guide us in upholding the Truth as we answer the call to live faithfully as His people.

Mrs. Monaco stopped by class to encourage everyone to keep practicing their faith as part of Bishop Casey's challenge at Mass to increase the 15% of people who practice their faith after Confirmation.

Then we went to Church, primarily to spend time at the Paschal candle.  It is lit on the night of Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil Mass, and in the darkness of the church at the beginning of the Easter Vigil, it symbolizes the light of Christ triumphing over the darkness of death.

At the end of class, our closing prayer was a series of statements on Easter by St. Hippolytus.

We rejoice that we are bound by one faith in our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, Who has secured the ultimate triumph.

We are always connected in this faith born of the Resurrection:
All my relations.

God's joyful blessings,
Paul


Above is a view of the Paschal Candle in the church sanctuary at Ascension. Below is the bright light of the Paschal Candle in the darkened sanctuary at night, showing how the Light of CHrist in His Resurrection has triumphed over evil.



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