Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: April 11, 2021
I’ve had to finish this column a bit earlier than usual. The Parish Office’s being closed over the long, four-day Easter weekend means an early submission deadline for The Carpenter. Yet still I have every confidence that by now all of us have enjoyed a wonderful celebration of the Paschal Triduum! In fact, by the time you receive this issue either by email, online or by picking up a “hard copy” in church, I hope the graces of that special time will have begun to work wonders in your life.
These need not be unusual wonders, either. I’m content with just the usual miracles of springtime! As the weather turns milder we can enjoy a few short weeks of outdoor exercise, gardening, visiting and so forth. Who doesn’t prefer to “fire up” the grill and even dine al fresco in April and May, rather than wait until August! I think the main reason that “spring cleaning” becomes a ritual in so many households at this time of year is simply due to more endurable temperatures and thus lower perspiration levels!
Still, the most important graces of the solemnity and season of Easter are spiritual. Although like you I was happy to put my Lenten penances away for another year, I do intend to “keep up the good work” and make sure the rest of 2021 is more prayerful. I’ve tried to identify a personal “charity of the month” since even before Ash Wednesday, and I intend to keep being more generous in that way. Fasting and other kinds of increased self-discipline are often the hardest to accomplish – at least they should be if we’re serious about them! But I learned a long time ago that I’m happier – and generally able to sleep way better at night – if I’m looking forward to my next, lighter meal than if I’m regretting having had too many extra helpings!
One of my promises to myself is something I recommend to you: try to be a person of renewed gratitude this Easter season. Don’t just “count your blessings,” also make sure you speak thanks aloud to the ones who gave them, God and other people alike.
In that vein, I very much wish to express much appreciation for our wonderful Lenten, Holy Week and Easter Triduum services. Behind the scenes our Parish staff, decorators, and florist spend weeks in preparation and then hurry to get it all finished in the nick of time. During the liturgies themselves Bishop Duca; Deacon Gary; our few but tremendously loyal and generous altar servers, readers, and other lay ministers; and of course musicians David Summers, Andy Plaisance, and choir, as well as the occasional string quartet and “special event” brass and percussion – all of these make our worship so memorable and inspiring. It’s really quite remarkable that it all comes together so well. Trust me, it looks a lot smoother than it really is!
Oh, but there’s one more huge “thank you” to add: to YOU, the faithful parishioners and friends of our historical St. Joseph Cathedral Parish. Your prayers, presence and support really make it all possible. I will never really be able to express my personal gratitude adequately, but I also will never stop trying. You are all so very special to the Lord and to me! Again, happy Easter!
In the Risen Lord,
Father Paul Counce
