Happy Easter! Jesus is risen! Alleluia, Alleluia!

 

When I immigrated from Ireland to the USA thirty-four years ago, I remember both of my parents taking me to the airport and walking me to the gate (remember those days!). It was a beautiful moment because they were genuinely delighted for me to go and make a life for myself, but they were honestly sad for themselves to lose their youngest son. My father shook my hand, and I kissed my mother on the cheek to bid farewell with little tears in our eyes. But I will always remember my father’s last words as I left, he said, “Come home often. It will be good for your soul and ours.”

 

As I spent the next 10 hours in flight to America, I mulled over those words and wondered why he would ask me to come home often as many of my siblings who had immigrated had not done so! Then I remembered how delighted they were when one of my siblings would come home, every time. They would celebrate and put on huge meals regularly acknowledging their time home. I recalled how much they loved seeing every single one of my siblings no matter how long it had been since they were away. So, I took those words to heart and came home often. My dad was right. It was good for my soul, and it was good for their souls.

 

It was particularly true in those last years of my mother’s life when I would come home as often as four times a year for only 4-5 days at a time. It was a long way to go to see my mother, but it was good for my soul, and it was soul-filling for her. Love fills the soul from inside out. There is no replacing a visit in person and a hug fills the heart and soul with love.

 

I hope you will visit your mother or father this Easter Sunday if they are alive and close at hand. If they are not close, then please call, zoom or facetime them. It will be good for your soul and for theirs. And if they have died, please invite them to join you in your prayer on Easter Sunday and visit with them spiritually.

 

I also hope you will come home to Church too. We miss you. It will be good for your soul, and it will certainly be good for our souls too. You are the Church, we are community and this is your home. We invite you to encourage your children, parents, extended family, friends, and neighbors to join you and come home often to the Lord. I know the Lord will be delighted to see you and it will be good for all our souls.

 

On behalf of the parish and school staff, I wish you a joy-filled Easter and may your visit home be good for your soul.

 

God Bless,

 

Fr. Brendan