Dear Members of the Manhattan College Family,
Alleluia, Christ is Risen!
I want to wish everyone a very Happy Easter, and offer prayers for our Jewish sisters and brothers for a Blessed Passover. It is difficult to celebrate this great feast while distant from faith communities, loved ones and friends, but our unusual circumstances need not diminish the spirit and hope-filled reminders of this day. This year we hear from the Gospel of John on Easter morning, recounting Mary of Magdala’s early morning arrival at the empty tomb of Jesus. Her shift from fear and confusion to hope and excitement is particularly poignant as the world continues to grapple with this pandemic. We may find an opportunity to relate to the early Christian community and the fulfillment of Easter Resurrection in newfound ways.
After Jesus’ passion and death, the early disciples “quarantined” themselves in fear, confusion and disappointment. Word of Christ’s resurrection changed their lives, offering the prospect of a changed future, and allowing them to go forth in new life. The Easter Season prompts us to see how this newly raised community, filled with strength and conviction, offered a message of healing that the world desperately needed. As members of this great Jasper family, we have an opportunity to carry the Easter Season with us in all we say and do. Though socially distant, we can take our connections to a new level. Isolation asks us to explore intimacy. Now is the moment to share our own resurrection stories. Now is the time to experience our own healing and to boldly pass on what we have been given. The risen Christ reminded the disciples to “be not afraid.” As an Easter people we are invited to bring that same encouragement to those entombed by despair.
Let us pray for those around us directly impacted by COVID-19, those mourning the loss of family and friends and those fighting for their lives. Let us pray for the well-being and safety of first responders, medical professions and others whose courage and commitment inspire us daily. Let us pray for our entire Manhattan College family, with confidence and hope that we will be reunited soon.
Be assured of my prayers for you and your loved ones. I include again the various resources to participate in liturgies online for Easter and for the days ahead. May the graces and blessings of this season lift us up in the confidence that God is truly with us in all we experience.
God Bless,
Father Tom
St. John Baptist de La Salle…pray for us!
Live Jesus in our hearts…forever!
Online Eucharistic Celebrations and Prayer Opportunities:
Sacred Heart in Yonkers – Celebrated by the Capuchin Franciscans, Father Tom’s religious community, and featuring music by our own Music Director, Andy Bauer. Mass is celebrated at 10:00am and uploaded to YouTube.
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York
Saint Francis of Assisi – Celebrated by the Franciscans
Saint Francis Xavier – Celebrated by the Jesuits
Saint Ignatius of Loyola – Celebrated by the Jesuits
Saint Paul the Apostle – Celebrated by the Paulists
A Further listing of different Masses celebrated by the Paulists from various locations around the world and noted for times throughout each day of the week can be found here.
Finally we invite you to look to various televised Masses, depending on the TV provider and channel listings, through places like EWTN.
Catholic Faith Network can be found on these Cable Providers
Altice USA: Channel 29/137
Charter Spectrum: Channel 162/471
Cable Vision: Channel 29
Direct TV: Channel 370
FiOS : Channel 296
Optimum: Channel 29/137
Spectrum: Channel 162/471
