2025.06.01 The Ascension of the Lord

Dear Parishioners,

We begin a new month this Sunday and the month of June will be month that will bring to a closure a number of things, for example the schools will break for the summer at the end of the month. Liturgically, this Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord. This feast marks an end and a beginning. It marks the end of Jesus’ physical presence and the beginning of His spiritual presence.  Since the Easter Vigil the night of April 19, the Easter Candle or the Paschal Candle has been situated prominently in the Sanctuary close to the baptismal font. The Easter Candle is a symbol of the presence here on earth of the Risen Christ. The Easter Candle continues to burn as a sign that Christ is present to us in a new form of human existence that breaks through the barriers of space and time. Indeed, the Ascension of Christ is about presence, not absence. The Easter Candle is lit for every Eucharistic celebration until the evening of Pentecost Sunday.  After that, the Candle is lit for all baptisms. For funerals, the Candle is brought to the centre of the church in front of the altar and lit. It becomes for us a powerful sign that as Christ has risen from the dead, so too, all who believe in Christ and who participate in suffering as Christ did will also rise from the dead. So, with hope, let us continue to pray that the Risen Lord may continue to give us the courage and wisdom we need to bear witness to his life and love.

Fr. Vijai, C.S.C. ~ Pastor