THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD EASTER SUNDAY
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THE RESURRECTION
OF THE LORD
EASTER SUNDAY
April 4, 2021
Pastor’s Easter Message
Alleluia! He is risen! He has truly risen! Throughout the Scriptures from the pre-figurings of Christ in the Old
Testament to His healings, His raising of the dead, His walking on the water, and His transfiguration in the New Testament,
Jesus has shown us His divinity veiled in His incarnate body. However, His rising from the dead is the irrefutable proof that
He is divine.
The Triduum, from the Last Supper to His death on the cross, can be viewed as a wedding feast when Christ Marries His
bride, the Church. Our union with Christ in this way is described in Revelations 21: 1-5 where He sums up what He has done
through His Passion Death and Resurrection: “Behold I make all things new.”…(Rev.21:5). He made for all times the
Eucharist the source and summit of all Christian life, as the Eucharist is Christ Himself, our Passover lamb which was
sacrificed for us (CCC 1324). Since this momentous event over 2000 years ago, we the followers of Christ have been
enjoying His presence in this most intimate union all of our lives and will enjoy it in its fullness when we are born into eternal
life “…when God will be all in all” (CCC 1326 1 Cor.15:28). Our union with Christ in the Eucharist puts us into the very life
of the Trinity. Consequently, every Mass we attend is a foretaste of eternal life. The life that God created us for, so that we
would be able to enter “…into the perfect unity of the Blessed Trinity” (CCC 260) (Jn. 17:21-23). It is a life that fulfills every
desire of ours, so much so that nothing more is desired or wanted. While still in this life earthly, we must see His presence
in the Sacraments veiled in the bread and wine, the pouring of water, the anointing of oil, the words of absolution, and the
laying on of hands and also hear His voice in the in the Words of Scripture and where two or three are gathered in His name.
What a great and awesome reality of having God so close to us. May the celebration of the Triduum, Easter and its season
fill us with a great appreciation for what we have that those in the past only dreamed about. May our hearts open wider to
receive all the love Christ desires to pour into our hearts this year.
Father Thomas Smith
From the dogmatic constitution on the Church of the Second Vatican Council
(Lumen gentium n. 9)
The Church as sacrament of unity and salvation
See, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of
Israel and the house of Judah ... I will plant my law within them and inscribe it in their hearts. I will
be their God and they shall be my people ... All shall know me, from the least to the greatest, says
the Lord.
It was Christ who established this new covenant, the New Testament in his blood, calling into being, from Jews and Gentiles,
a people that was to form a unity, not in human fashion but in the Spirit, as the new people of God. Those who believe in Christ,
reborn not of corruptible but of incorruptible seed through the word of the living God, not from the flesh but from water and the
Holy Spirit, are constituted in the fullness of time as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people God has made his
own ..., once no people but now the people of God.
This messianic people has Christ as its head: Christ who was given up for our sins and rose again for our
justification; bearing now the name that is above every name, he reigns in glory in heaven. His people enjoy the dignity and
freedom of the children of God, in whose hearts the Holy Spirit dwells as in a temple. They have as their law the new
commandment of loving as Christ himself has loved us. They have as their goal the kingdom of God, begun on earth by God
himself and destined to grow until it is also brought to perfection by him at the end of time, when Christ, our life, will appear,
and creation itself will be freed from slavery to corruption and take on the freedom of the glory of God’s children.
This messianic people, then, though it does not in fact embrace all mankind and often seems to be a tiny flock, is yet the
enduring source of unity, hope and salvation for the whole human race. It is established by Christ as a communion of life, of
love and of truth; it is also used by him as an instrument for the redemption of all, and is sent out into the whole world as the
light of the world and the salt of the earth.
The Israel of old was already called the Church of God while it was on pilgrimage through the desert. So the new Israel, as it
makes its way in this present age, seeking a city that is to come, a city that will remain, is also known as the Church of Christ,
for he acquired it by his own blood, filled it with his Spirit, and equipped it with appropriate means to be a visible and social
unity. God has called together the assembly of those who in faith look on Jesus, the author of salvation and the principle of unity
and peace, and so has established the Church to be for each and all the visible sacrament of this unity which brings with it
salvation.
From a commentary on the psalms by Saint Augustine, Bishop
(Ps. 85, 1: CCL 39, 1176-1177)
Jesus Christ prays for us and in us and is the object of our prayers
God could give no greater gift to men than to make his Word, through whom he
created all things, their head and to join them to him as his members, so that the
Word might be both Son of God and son of man, one God with the Father, and
one man with all men. The result is that when we speak with God in prayer we do
not separate the Son from him, and when the body of the Son prays it does not
separate its head from itself: it is the one Savior of his body, our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Son of God, who prays for us and in us and is himself the object of
our prayers.
He prays for us as our priest, he prays in us as our head, he is the object of our prayers as our God.
Let us then recognize both our voice in his, and his voice in ours. When something is said, especially in
prophecy, about the Lord Jesus Christ that seems to belong to a condition of lowliness unworthy of God, we must
not hesitate to ascribe this condition to one who did not hesitate to unite himself with us. Every creature is his
servant, for it was through him that every creature came to be.
We contemplate his glory and divinity when we listen to these words: In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through
him, and without him nothing was made. Here we gaze on the divinity of the Son of God, something supremely
great and surpassing all the greatness of his creatures. Yet in other parts of Scripture we hear him as one sighing,
praying, giving praise and thanks.
We hesitate to attribute these words to him because our minds are slow to come down to his humble level when
we have just been contemplating him in his divinity. It is as though we were doing him an injustice in
acknowledging in a man the words of one with whom we spoke when we prayed to God; we are usually at a loss
and try to change the meaning. Yet our minds find nothing in Scripture that does not go back to him, nothing that
will allow us to stray from him.
Our thoughts must then be awakened to keep their vigil of faith. We must realize that the one whom we were
contemplating a short time before in his nature as God took to himself the nature of a servant; he was made in the
likeness of men and found to be a man like others; he humbled himself by being obedient even to accepting death;
as he hung on the cross he made the psalmist’s words his own: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
We pray to him as God, he prays for us as a servant. In the first case he is the Creator, in the second a creature.
Himself unchanged, he took to himself our created nature in order to change it, and made us one man with himself,
head and body. We pray then to him, through him, in him, and we speak along with him and he along with us.
BIBLE STUDY CORNER Reflections on Colossians 3:1-4
Bible Studies via Zoom or Skype By His death and resurrection, the Son of God frees us
1. Bible Timeline - Tuesday, 7:30pm from the power of Satan and of death. By Baptism men
2. No Greater Love - Saturday 10:00am, 10:30am and 11:00am are grafted into the paschal mystery of Christ: they die
3. Parousia - Saturdays at 10:30am with him, are buried with Him, and rise with Him. In
4. Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible - Monday at 6:30pm other words, Christians have been raised to a new kind
of life, a supernatural life, whereby they share, even
Upcoming Studies: while on earth, in the glorious life of the risen Jesus. This
1. Letter to the Hebrews - starts on April 10 life is at present spiritual and hidden, but when our Lord
3. Gospel according to Matthew - starts on April 27 comes again in glory, it will become manifest and
3. Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life - starts on May 1 glorious. Two practical consequences flow from this
4. Bible Timeline - starts on May 1 teaching: the need to seek the "things that are above",
5. An Introduction to the Theology of the Body - starts on May 1 that is, the things of God; and the need to pass unnoticed
6. Wisdom: God’s Vision for Life - starts on June 12 in one's everyday work and ordinary life, yet to do
For info, call Chito 604-808-4129 or Beth 604-231-9190 everything with a supernatural purpose in mind.
(Vatican II, "Sacrosanctum Concilium", 6).
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PRAYER CORNER POETRY CORNER
YOU WILL BE MY
WITNESS
Acts 1:8
Prayer for Easter
Dear Risen Lord,
Teach me to cherish the profound gift of your resurrection.
May my life reflect the power and radiance of redemption
that I may be your witness. Increase in me the gift of grace
that your love has given me, and allow me to share that joy
with others.
May I always worship you in spirit and truth, until the day
we meet face-to-face in glory of heaven.
AMEN.
An Act of Contrition inspired by the Gospels
Father of mercy, like the prodigal son, I return to you and say:
"I have sinned against you and am no longer worthy to be called
your child."
Christ Jesus, Savior of the world, I pray with the repentant thief
to whom you promised Paradise: "Lord, remember me in your
kingdom."
Holy Spirit, fountain of love, I call on you with trust: "Purify my
heart, and help me to walk as a child of light."
Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to
thy protection, implored thy help,
or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come,
before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy
hear and answer me.
Amen.
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Next Sunday Divine Mercy CONFESSION AND COMMUNION
EASTER SEASON Good Friday: 12:00 - 1:00pm and 3:00 - 4:00pm
Adoration Chapel & Entrance of the Parish Centre
The Easter Solemnity is celebrated for eight days,
known as the Octave of Easter., however, our joy Holy Saturday: CONFESSION ONLY
spills over celebrating all the way to Pentecost. 10:00 - 11:00am Adoration Chapel
St. Athanasius called them “the great Sunday”. Easter Sunday: 12:00 - 1:00pm & 3:00 - 4:00pm
Christians sing the “Alleluia” during these days in Adoration Chapel, Entrance of the Parish Centre,
their rejoicing. and School Covered Area
In order to properly maintain the minimum 2 metres
LIVESTREAM MASSES physical distancing protocol, please stay in your car and
monitor the number of people waiting to receive
HOLY THURSDAY: 7:00PM
GOOD FRIDAY: 10:00AM Communion. Come for Communion when the priest is
EASTER VIGIL: 9:00PM ready for you.
EASTER SUNDAY: 10:00AM
WEDNESDAY: 8:00AM
https://stpaulparish.ca/livestream Archdiocese of Vancouver
Indoor Worship Suspended for Holy Week
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK IN OUR PARISH - Interview with Archbishop Miller
Elaine Winkler, Christine Bay, Hans Klaris, Bertha Romero,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Myrna Moffat, Peter Murtagh, Linda Fiore, Jaime Pestano.
(Please notify the parish office of any changes)
PREP: Parish Religious Education Program
INFANT BAPTISM COURSE
PREP classes will remain virtual/on-line for the
Classes for parents seeking baptism for their infants - please reminder of the school year. Teachers will be holding
call the Convent at 604-275-2844. classes and/or assigning work every Wednesday. Last
week of class will be May 19.
YOUTH MINISTRY
Confirmation registration and sponsor forms are due
Info: Jiggy @ 778-874-8569 April 16.
LIFE TEEN has gone virtual with weekly Zoom If you have any questions, please contact Clay Imoo
(PREP Director) at clayimoo@shaw.ca.
nights! Contact Jiggy for the link.
Keep checking our social media for updates! SCHOOL CONNECTION
Alleluia, Alleluia! He is Risen! Easter
www.instagram.com/stpaulslifeteen reminds us how God has been good to
www.facebook.com/StPaulsLT us. He gave His own precious Son to save us
from our sins. Let’s return the favour by
sharing our blessings to others. St. Paul School
ST. PAUL YOUNG ADULTS COMMUNITY wishes a most joyous Easter to all!
(SPYAC)
Info: Katherine Angustia at spyacteam@gmail.com ACCESS TO THE PARISH OFFICE
The office staff is available and willing to assist you but as
www.facebook.com/groups/208926245900606/ per COVID-19 protocol, we want to limit our in-person
www.instagram.com/spyacteam contact. Most requests can be accomplished remotely.
Call ahead 604-277-3213 or email parish.stpaulr@rcav.org,
so we can have things ready for you. Office hours are
SPIRIT PRE-TEEN MINISTRY Monday - Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.
A mask is mandatory when visiting the office.
Info: ministries. spirit@gmail.com
www.spirityouthministry.wordpress.com STAY CONNECTED/STAY INFORMED
www.facebook.com/stpaulrichmond
www.instagram.com/stpauls.spirit/ www.instagram.ca/stpaulrichmond
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ST. PAUL PARISH - DONATIONS
Since the beginning of the pandemic, it has been possible to make your regular offertory gift online,
either by credit card or direct bank debit. Your parish relies on your regular offertory giving to both
sustain itself and grow.
By making your pre-authorized offertory gift, you are providing crucial support to carry your parish
during this difficult time.
To set up a pre-authorized offertory gift to your parish, please click here.
If you would like make a gift to any Second Collection, please click here.
If you have questions regarding the process, or would like to
make changes to your gift, please contact the Archdiocese of
Sunday, April 11th The Feast of Divine Mercy will be celebrated in our homes this year during the
Hour of Grace 3-4pm. Pray the hour before an Image of Divine Mercy. Jesus told St.
Faustina, “On that day all the divine floodgates through which grace flows are
opened. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the
fount of mercy. The soul that will go to confession (within eight days) and receive
Holy Communion (on that day) shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and
punishment.”
Prepare for the extraordinary graces of this Feast Day with the Divine Mercy Novena
and a Novena of Divine Mercy Chaplets, starting on Good Friday.
https://saintmichael.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/divine-mercy-novena.pdf
If you have any questions, contact Lynne at 604-272-9880 or elh65@shaw.ca.
We at SPYAC, (St. Paul's Young Adult Community), will be praying the Divine Mercy
Chaplet and Novena throughout the nine days leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday (April
11). We are undertaking this novena both as a part of our own ministry and in solidarity
with other ministry sections within our Parish and the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
In these especially trying times of pandemic, our unity as a faith community is
paramount. We ask any and all of you who are interested to please pray this novena
with us, and feel free to invite others as well. We at SPYAC wish you all continued happiness and good
health. God bless.
The novena will be held via ZOOM at 7:00pm from April 2nd - 10th. Please register via this Google form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPn7DIeK4MgSL01mlt-6oLa1bYYR2hQyXp-
_4BNad6K9A3kg/viewform
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IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET THE LATEST UPDATES Stewardship Reflection:
FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX, April 4, 2021 - Easter Sunday
PLEASE SIGN UP HERE:
https://rcav.org/newsletters/subscribers/new “Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.” -
Colossians 3:2
https://beholdvancouver.org/ On this day we thank God for His Son, Jesus, who died, rose
https://thesearch.rcav.org/ and opened the gates of heaven for us. We celebrate and
sing “Alleluia.” Let’s try to keep the joy of this Easter
https://weareproclaim.com/ season in our hearts throughout the year! Pray daily and
listen for how God is calling each of us to joyfully use our
The Gospel of John: Signs and Glory gifts to fulfill His salvation plan.
Among all the Gospels, the Gospel of John holds a unique
place because of its message and extraordinary structure. Join Join the Catholic Health Association of BC!
us as we investigate the genius of the Gospel of John and the Catholic Health Association of BC (CHABC) membership is
way it invites us to consider Jesus’ suffering and our own in a open to any organizations/societies, health care facilities or
new light. Join us on Saturday, April 17 at 7:00 pm. Register individuals who support the Catholic healthcare mission. We
online at beholdvancouver.org/events support and encourage programs that respond to the
changing needs of the sick, elderly, home bound and
bereaved in our parish communities. Your membership fees
The Things We Carry - Healthy Relationships Series allow us to carry out our mission of “Advancing the healing
There are realities from our childhood and adolescence that ministry of Jesus through advocacy, education and
have marked us positively and negatively. It is important to partnerships.”
note which of these realities we carry as we enter into our
relationships. Behold Vancouver is offering a three-part online
series on Healthy Relationships, with an opportunity for Q&A
following a formal presentation by various presenters. Join us
on Thursday, April 29 from 7:30 - 9:30 pm. Register for free at
beholdvancouver.org/events. This event to open to all adults, Into the Deep: 'Laudato Si' Five Years Later
whether single, dating or married. Join us for an evening online with Sister Damien Marie Savino,
FSE, the Dean of Science and Sustainability at Aquinas
College in Michigan, as she reflects on the Special Anniversary
Year of Laudato Si’ (On Care for Our Common Home).
What new opportunities for ecological conversion and
fraternity is the Catholic Church calling forth for us as
individuals and a global community? Join us on Friday,
April 30 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm on Zoom. Register
for free at beholdvancouver.org/events
Year of St. Joseph
Pope Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph, beginning Dec. 8, 2020 and ending Dec. 8,
2021, in honour of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the
Universal Church. The Pope established a Year of St. Joseph, who with the Canadian
Martyrs is one of Canada’s patron saints, so that “every member of the faithful,
following his example, may strengthen their life of faith daily in the complete fulfillment
of God’s will.” Visit rcav.org/stjoseph to learn more.
500 YEARS of CHRISTIANITY IN THE PHILIPPINES CELEBRATION
Join us Friday, April 16, from 6:00 - 7:30pm for the live stream of our First Quarterly
Virtual Celebration “Salamat,” hosted by Joey Albert, award winning Filipino Catholic
Artist, who will guide us in revisiting how we have been Gifted to Give. Enjoy
pre-recorded presentations and testimonies of why faith is so strong among
Filipinos. Register for free at https://tinyurl.com/yg9dpdlj and consider donating to a
worthy cause.
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KID’S CORNER
HEAVEN EASTER SUNDAY
Can you look that far ahead? Because of all we’ve
seen this Lent, we have God’s word that heaven is 1 PETER 1:3-5
something we will see too. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord
That is where it all leads. The road that led to Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a
Calvary didn’t end there. It didn’t even end when new birth to a living hope through the
Jesus’ tomb was opened and He was alive again. resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an
It won’t end until everybody’s grave is opened. inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled,
And for those who have trusted in Jesus Christ and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by
and followed him all their lives, it won’t end even the power of God are safeguarded through faith,
then! to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the
final time.
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