last night my husband and six other adults were confirmed fully roman catholic. four women were baptized and all seven adults received communion and confirmation. holy saturday mass began with a fire outside our parish. the entire congregation carried lit candles into our blacked-out church for a transformation from dark to light.

while the entire evening was powerful and special, that single moment hit hardest.

outside was chilly, windy, and dark. i walked shoulder to shoulder into the warm church with my husband. next to us were our children, our family, our neighbors, and our friends. pews packed with believers, each holding a single candle. each filled with hope and faith.

raising children in today’s world can feel scary. with social media the news never shuts off. we are bombarded with images of horror and stories of destruction and evil. i worry that no matter how hard i try, i will never truly prepare my son and daughter for the world that awaits them.

but last night i saw light. 

i saw good. 

i sat in a church packed with people promising to choose love, kindness, and service.

i saw the elderly who have lived full and good lives dedicated to Jesus alongside babies unaware of the magic of the evening, but already being raised in the power and love of god and fellowship.

i saw joyful children, awake well beyond bedtimes, with stuffed animals on their laps and smiles on their faces, proud and happy to be part of it all. 

nearly two thousand years after Jesus was crucified and rose, christianity is growing.

Jesus is still the king of kings.

and last night God’s army got even stronger.

may God bless anthony, bobby, jimmy, julie, emily, lexi, and merta. welcome to the good team!
God please continue to give gerry patience and strength to do his incredible work on your beautiful earth.

happy easter!