SERVING . . . SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS
t eanc 0 VOL. 25, No. 16
FALL RIVER, MASS., THURSDAY; APRil 16, 1981
20c, $6 Per Year
Easter Message Dearly beloved in Christ, We celebrate today the great Solemnity of the Resurrection of our Blessed Lord from the dead. And what a glorious Feast it is for the whole believing People of God! Jesus, the Lamb of God who was slain for our sins, has broken the chains of sin and death and has risen triumphantly from the tomb. As the Scriptures tell us with great excitement: Do not look for the living One among the dead. He has been raised up, exactly as he promised! By his death on the cross, Christ has destroyed the power of death
forevE~r.
Where the darkness of sin had
prevailed, the light of grace now shines. Through his resurrection from the dead, the Savior has restored to mankind the hope and promise of everlasting life. This is Easter! This is the wondrous mystery theit we celebrate today. The Christian Community should, fittingly, say "Thanks be to God" on this festive
da~y.
It is, indeed, a "day the Lord has
made," and a cau:se of great rejoicing for each believer and for the Universal Church as well. Easter also reminds us that we must walk in the light of Christ and live continually the new life of grace which he won for us by his cross and resurrection. And so, today, the Church invites us to renew the promises of our Baptism, to reject sin and to recommit ourselves to the faithful service of Almighty God in his holy Catholic Church. As we celebrate this wonderful day of our Lord's resurrection, I send to one and all throughout the Diocese prayerful wishes that the Risen Savior will shower blessings in abundance upon each of you and upon your parish
..
families. May the joy which dawned upon the world on the first Easter morning be yours this Easter and remain with you forever. Faithfully yours in Christ,
Bishop of Fall River
EL GRECO;
The Resurrection
0/
Christ
Prado, :\Iadrid