Dear Sisters and Brothers:

A JOYFUL, LIBERATING EASTER!

What an extravagant love God has for us, His beloved children! Every year, we are given the grace-filledopportunity to celebrate and enter deeply into the great mystery of Christ’s passion, death and resurrec- tion. This is God’s own doing, the only way He could save us from eternal damnation for disobedience byour first parents that we all share.

Jesus Christ was born for us. Jesus Christ lived for us. Jesus Christ died for us. Jesus Christ rose from the dead for us! Because of this, our relationship with God our Father was restored and now we have hope to live with God for eternity. What remains is for us to accept this gift of salvation and continue to live in a Christ-like manner every day.

Easier said than done. Every day, we are faced with life’s challenging realities. This includes the deviltempting us to commit evil at every turn. He hates God and therefore, he hates us too. He wants us to remain entombed in our sinfulness though God already un-tombed the entombed! Let us not allow the devil to win over us. Let us defeat him with the power God gives us His children.

The Eucharist (or Mass) we actively participate in and celebrate every Sunday is more than enough grace and power to develop a Christ-like character in us. The Mass also helps to sharpen our awareness in recognizing the presence of the Risen Christ in the many ways He reveals Himself in the various circum- stances of our lives. This is the special grace I pray all of us may receive during this Easter season and beyond. Thank you very much for your participation in all our liturgies during Lent and during this Holy Week.

On behalf of myself, Fr. Pat , Bro. Buddy and the entire MSOS Parish staff, we wish all of you a blessed and faith-filled EASTER! May the Love of the Risen Christ that surpasses all understanding bring PEACE and JOY to you and your loved ones, and may the merciful Risen Lord be with you always!

May I also request that you generously support the upcoming East Honolulu Food Festival on April 27. You may still purchase your tickets at the entrance to the Church after all the Masses, and assist our Church and schools continue our God-given mission. May God bless each and everyone of you for your continued generosity.

In Jesus, our Risen Lord, Fr. Frankie
Pastor