FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSEnS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS
VOL. 31, NO. 16
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Friday, April 17, 1987
F ALL RIVER, MASS.
Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly
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58 Per Year
Torchia photo
RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION WINDOWS NOTRE DAME CHURCH, FALL RIVER
Dearly beloved in Christ, The glorious feast of Easter gives every believer in Jesus' Christ a profound cause for joy. It is no wonder that the disciples ofthe Lord were downcast at the sorrowful events of Good Friday. They did not realize that Christ had to endure the ignominious death on the Cross in order to accomplish the salvation of all human beings. Thus He fulfilled the will of His Father. The empty tomb on that first Easter proved that the prediction of Christ had come true. He would rise from the dead and indeed death would have no further power over Him. The apostles ceased to be sorrowful and rejoiced as they ate and drank with Him, as Saint Peter tells us in the ~ Acts of the Apostles. '~<. . The lesson for us, Jesus' followers today, is pre• cisely the same as it was for His apostles and disciples. There is no power which can conquer the followers of Christ. Sin indeed has no power, nor should sad· ness, despair, anxiety or worry. Christ has conquered all, even death itself. No wonder then, that as Christians, we have cause on Easter Sunday to adore the divinity of Jesus Christ and renew our commitment to follow Him more closely. We use His grace for our spiritual advancement as we make our pilgrim way along the path of life, looking forward eagerly to our own future resurrection and eternal life. Easter is a cause for joy. This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad. May the blessings of the joyous feast of Easter be with you all. Faithfully yours in Christ,
Bishop of Fall River