Dear Parishioners of Mary Immaculate and Saint Rose,
        Today we begin the solemn celebration of Easter.  First we have the Vigil on Saturday evening.  This is the one night of the year that we actually spend hours in church!
      I always wonder what people think looking at us Catholics from the outside?  We come to church when it gets dark.  We light a fire and pray over it. We sit in the darkness with only the light of candles.  We listen to reading after reading.  We ring bells as we belt out  Glory to God in the highest. We baptize new members into the Church.  We sprinkle water over the congregation.  We consecrate bread and wine.  It must seem very strange to those who do not believe, but for us it is the ultimate celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus.
Easter does not have all the baggage that has accumulated around Christmas, but Easter is our greatest Feast of the year.          If Jesus had not risen from the dead, then none of the things that we do as Catholics would have any meaning.  Everything that we believe hinges on the belief that Jesus has conquered sin and death.  He is risen!  And because He lives, we too have the hope of Eternal Life.
The church will be crowded today.  On this day it seems that everyone needs the Easter Liturgy.  Even those whose faith has grown cold feel the need to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus!
So we rejoice!
May God bless you!  As you gather with family and friends may your heart be filled with gratitude.  May you share in the joy of the Risen Lord!
A blessed Easter to you and yours!
Msgr. Cox
 Resurrection of Christ, Raphael (1499)