Let Us Rejoice

Dear Sisters in Christ,

Easter Greetings to you all! What a beautiful season this is — the world seems to echo the resurrection as flowers bloom and trees begin to fill in with green leaves again. So much new life surrounds us!

This year though, it might be harder for us to celebrate the joy of the Easter season. Most of us are still “staying-healthy, staying-at-home” and adjusting to all that entails. Many of us are coping with uncertainty about the future – how will jobs fare during this time, when will children return to school, will we get to PCS this summer, when will our service member return from or begin a deployment?

The Easter words my family has embraced in this beautiful and difficult season are those of Psalm 118:24, which we hear repeatedly during the Octave of Easter: 

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.” 

Some days it is easy to rejoice — school-at-home went well, the weather was good enough for us to be outside, the kids got along. Other days, it is tougher — but as I remind my kids, there are always blessings to be found. There is always something in which we can rejoice.

And so it is true for MCCW. I am writing this on the day we expected to be welcoming so many of you to San Antonio for Forum 2020. And while my heart grieves for that lost opportunity to worship and fellowship with you, I rejoice in knowing that we will soon be announcing the rescheduled Forum dates and the opportunity to connect in person.

I rejoice in the recent announcement of our seven regional retreats scheduled from Fall 2020 through Spring 2021.  All times when we can be united once again.  You can find those dates and locations later in this issue.

I rejoice in the beautiful Day of Reflection when so many of us were inspired by the celebration of the Mass, remarks by amazing clergy and faithful laywomen, and the opportunity to come together virtually for prayer and reflection.

I rejoice for the dedicated teams in each of our regions, leading weekly prayer for us and our families on Sunday afternoons. 

And I rejoice every time I see the work our CWOCs continue to do in this time of physical separation — gathering virtually and supporting one another, and our priests, through works of mercy and love. 

This is indeed a hard time, but in this season of Easter let’s come together and remember all that we have to rejoice.

Yours in Christ,

Kim