Rev. James J Caldarella, Pastor
Worship Style - Traditional Roman Catholic
Happy Easter!! He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Once again, some friends of ours invited us to attend their church, and they were part of the worship team. One directs the music and sings, and one plays the organ. When they heard we would be attending the Easter vigil, David was asked to join the choir, and he did. Easter vigil is a very special service. It begins in the dark, and then the light is shown. We began outside at 7:00 PM at a fire, lit the Easter candle and individual candles, and then processed into the church. There was the most beautiful spring arrangement on the altar (see above), and gradually the light filled the sanctuary. There was choral music coordinated with the Scripture readings. Many people participated, and there were approximately 125 people in attendance. There were many Scripture readings. One highlighted by Father Caldarella was, John 20:11-15, "But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping?' She said to them, 'Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.' Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?'"
Father Caldarella focused his homily on Mary Magdalene and asked the congregation the question, "Whom do you seek?" Since our pilgrimage is called, "Looking for Jesus in all the right places," this was a particularly poignant question to us. We are seeking Jesus and have been finding Him!
Worship Style - Traditional Roman Catholic
Happy Easter!! He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Once again, some friends of ours invited us to attend their church, and they were part of the worship team. One directs the music and sings, and one plays the organ. When they heard we would be attending the Easter vigil, David was asked to join the choir, and he did. Easter vigil is a very special service. It begins in the dark, and then the light is shown. We began outside at 7:00 PM at a fire, lit the Easter candle and individual candles, and then processed into the church. There was the most beautiful spring arrangement on the altar (see above), and gradually the light filled the sanctuary. There was choral music coordinated with the Scripture readings. Many people participated, and there were approximately 125 people in attendance. There were many Scripture readings. One highlighted by Father Caldarella was, John 20:11-15, "But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping?' She said to them, 'Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.' Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?'"
Father Caldarella focused his homily on Mary Magdalene and asked the congregation the question, "Whom do you seek?" Since our pilgrimage is called, "Looking for Jesus in all the right places," this was a particularly poignant question to us. We are seeking Jesus and have been finding Him!