Articles - From the Curate

I remember spending Holy Week and Easter Day last year with the Sisters of the Holy Paraclete at Sneaton Castle, Whitby. I was there studying with the rest of my theological college and we joined in with all the services with the Sisters and the Community from Maundy Thursday to Easter Day.

I will always remember the Easter morning service there, which started in the dark at 5am in the little chapel. The place was packed to the seams and there was a real sense of anticipation and excitement in the air. A little fire was created at the back of the chapel, from which was lit the new Easter candle. Our candles were lit from that and we were reminded of the Resurrection message:

Jesus has risen from the dead - the light of the world has beaten death for us, Light has overcome the darkness - Jesus is alive!

As the dawn broke outside, our candles were blown out as the light poured through the chapel windows and the celebration of Easter morning and its Resurrection message became a reality. That was when the Sisters all absolutely burst with joy and emotion. They were overjoyed - dancing, clapping, singing, shaking noisy instruments and making as much noise as they could in a really joyful celebration. It was a most wonderful feeling to be there, witnessing their joy, which actually then was infectious and suddenly we were all joining in the celebration - smiling, hugging, laughing, clapping - as the message of Easter was realised.

It was a very enjoyable and memorable Easter morning. To see the transformation in the Sisters, from gentle, quiet, humble women to loud, excited witnesses, was wonderful. Their joy and example was very humbling and later made me reflect on how Christians celebrate and acknowledge the Easter message.

We are very blessed within the Church, to have such wonderful liturgy, symbols, tradition and music to help us to explore the Easter message, which hopefully encourages our faith and increases our ongoing relationship with Jesus.

We are very blessed that we can experience the Resurrection message on Easter morning and meet Jesus in every Eucharist we take part in.
We are very blessed that we know of Him and what He has done for us.
We are very blessed to know His love for us and to meet Him in others.
We are very blessed indeed - let's search Him out this Easter Tide and thank Him and spend time with Him and celebrate with Him.

Happy Easter!!
Jesus is Risen!!

Diane Flynn

© St Edmund's Church, Roundhay