News - April 2022 RSS Feed

April 12, 2022 Dear Our Lady of Lourdes School Family and Friends, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 There are many Biblical references to light, showing its importance in our religious tradition: “The people who walked in great darkness have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2); “The Lord is my light and my salvation.” (Psalm 27:1); “Let your light shine before others.” (Matthew 5:16); “I have come into the world as light.” (John 12:46), and many more. We gravitate toward the light. As children, we were afraid of darkness, wanting the light on where we slept. As adults, we yearn for the light of spring after the darkness of winter. On a dark day at the shore, we long for light to break through the clouds. When we are in a state of interior darkness, whether it is despair, confusion, or unresolved issues, we yearn for the light of clarity and peace. These are the times in our lives when we need a guiding, reassuring light to dispel our fears and confusion. We know that there is only one light that we can depend upon – the Light of Christ – unchanging and eternal. Light is always symbolic, particularly at Easter, but even more so now as we emerge with hope from the darkness of the pandemic. At the Easter Vigil, the Church uses the Easter candle to represent Christ as the light of the world. The priest proclaims “Christ our Light” and the assembly answers “Thanks be to God.” The Easter candle is lit in the darkened church and the flame lights all of the candles held by the faithful until the church is ablaze with light. The Easter Proclamation then begins. Keeping our minds and hearts on the light of Christ guides us, empowers us, saves us. The light of Christ in us –love, faith, truth – is catching and is spread to others, who give that light to still others, until all are set on fire with the love and light of Christ! At Christmas, we have the light of the star above the new-born Savior, Jesus Christ, guiding the shepherds and the Magi. At Easter, we have the light of the Risen Christ, signifying that “We shall share His victory over death and live with Him forever in God.” We have come full circle… Lyrics by Bernadette Farrell from a hymn are especially meaningful as we commemorate Holy Week: Longing for light, we wait in darkness. Longing for truth, we turn to you. Make us your own, Your holy people, Light for the world to see. Christ be our Light… During this sacred time, I wish you and your loved ones the blessings of Easter and may your lives always be illumined by the Light of Christ. Happy Easter! Feliz Pasqua! Sincerely, Suzanne Kaszynski Principal