BISHOP’S COMMITTEE MEETING

St. Stephen’s Bishop’s Committee will meet on April 14th following the 6:00 p.m. Eucharist. Everyone is encouraged to attend Eucharist before the meeting.

BISHOP’S COMMITTEE notes

Plans for the Italian Feast were finalized. We continue to consider the idea of pews for a center aisle in the Nave. A new St Stephen’s banner was proposed to be made locally due to cost of ordering one from a Church supply company.

HOLY DAYS IN April

Each Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. we meet for Eucharist. It is our custom to honor a memorable figure in the life of the Church down through the ages.

In April, we will give thanks to God for these faithful servants:

• April 7th No Mass – Farewell for Bp and Melinda Beckwith at St Mark’s 6pm

• April 14th Wednesday of Second Easter

• April 21st Anselm of Canterbury

• April 28th St Mark the Evangelist

REMEMBER FOOD for the Anna Bixby House and for the Christian Community Compassion Center. When you are shopping for yourself, pick up a couple extra items and then REMEMBER to get your “can” to Church on Sunday!

The Holy Triduum
service dates and times

April 1st Maundy Thursday 6:00 p.m.

April 2nd Good Friday 7:00 p.m.

April 3rd The Great Vigil 9:00 p.m.

April 4th The Feast of the Resurrection 10:00 a.m.

NEWS AND CALENDAR OF EVENTS
(Mark your calendars!)

• PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND!! There is a Farewell Eucharist and Potluck for Bishop and Melinda Beckwith at St. Mark’s, West Frankfort on April 7th at 6:00 p.m.

• April 24th - Evangelism Workshop at the Cathedral “The Uniqueness of Christ”

• April 24th – St James’, Marion’s first Chicken BBQ 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. $8.00 per ticket. See Fr. Tim or Fr Swan for information.

• Cursillo - The next weekend is scheduled for June 17-20, 2010. A ngie is on team; please see her or Fr. Swan for an application.

• Are you receiving the Current?  If not, please let Fr. Swan know.

PLEASE REMEMBER to pray for all those who are posted on the prayer list and let us know those whom you wish us to pray for.

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VICAR’S NOTES

In the early Church of the first and second centuries there was a traditional greeting between Christians. “The Lord is Risen!” “He is Risen, indeed!” This served two purposes, first it was, and remains, a very uplifting greeting full of hope and the fulfillment of the promises of Holy Scripture and the love of God. At that time of persecution it served as a code and was also a way of determining if one was really speaking with a baptized member of the Church, “the Way” and not becoming vulnerable to that persecution. During the Fifty days of Eastertide we greet each other at the Holy Eucharist, beginning with the Great Vigil on Easter Eve, with: Alleluia! Christ is Risen!” “The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!”

This Easter greeting reminds me of a couple of songs that I love. One newer and more contemporary song is called “Redeemer”, by Nicole C. Mullen. It is actually taken from the book of Job. The refrain is “I know that my Redeemer Lives!” This gives us the sense of the same reaction as that of the early Christian greeting and our Liturgical Acclamation. We can celebrate that certain knowledge in our heart when we exchange this greeting, or sing these words. The other song that comes to mind was written by Don Francisco in the 1970’s and is a poetic presentation of Peter’s thoughts on Easter morning culminating with the refrain “He’s Alive! He’s Alive! Praise God that I’m forgiven, Heaven’s Gates are open wide!”

What more may need to be said? “Alleluia! Christ is Risen!”

SCRIPTURE FOR april:

“If you abide in me and my words abide in you,
ask for whatever you wish,
and it will be done for you.”
John 15:7