EASTER FRIDAY : CONTINUING OUR NEW AND RISEN LIFE WITH CHRIST IN BAPTISM..........

On this Easter Friday as we continue to immerse ourselves in the New and Risen Life of Jesus the Christ and renew our Bprtism in His Death and Resurrection, the Paschal Mystery of Humankind's Redemption, I am praying for and pondering our Neophytes, those who were newly initiated at the Easter Vigil last week. Sacred Heart's first Mystagogy session on Easter Tuesday evening was one of the best I have attended in several years. These 20 Neophytes are definitely fired up with the Spirit. Msgr. Walton and RCIA Director Rita Spillane led a very insightful session which seemed to cause responses from the newly initiated to flow out of them, in sharing what they experienced as they celebrated Baptism, Reception, Confirmation, and Eucharist. After a twenty minute gathering in the church with the Paschal Candle lighting and Sacred Incense wafting in the air, we recessed into the Parish Hall for Easter refreshments including cheesecake, fudge brownies, an array of fresh fruits, and coffee / tea. Aspirited series of conversations continued and Rita overviewed with us the Mystagogy sessions during coming weeks. She then gave each of one a copy of the, "Handbook For Neophytes" from, 'Foundations In Faith', published by RCL - Resources For Christian Living, in my estimation the best RCIA cathechetical process there is. It is a very well crafted 33 page booklet to guide and advise the Neophytes on their post intiation journey. My St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Director of Religious Education and RCIA Director, Mary Seegert and I, discovered the RCL RCIA series as it was being introduced at the Jubilee 2000 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress and the Oroville parish, now like SacHeart Parish, has used it productively ever since.....BREAKING NEWS.....This morning in the 'Sacramento Bee' , that the Diocese of Sacrammento has decided to close down the 102 year old diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Herald at the end of June., due to mounting costs. A new Catholic Herld magazine will replace it. More on this later..........May Your Baptism Into The Life, Death, And Resurrection Of Jesus Christ Bring You Joy And Redemption, Fr. Troy