Father Bill Keown ~ Our Pastor

An Easter Message and Blessings from our Pastor Father Bill Keown

Dear St. Peter the Apostle Parish Family,

Christ is Risen! Alleluia!  Alleluia!

A very blessed Easter to you all. Thanks to all of you for being with us this weekend as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord. I want to welcome those friends and family who are visiting with us today, whether it is your first time at St. Peter’s or if you have lost count of the number of times you have been here. To our non-Catholic visitors, I want to extend a warm welcome to our parish. Whether you are exploring your faith, seeking solace, or simply curious about Catholicism, we are honored to have you join us for this sacred time. For those Catholics who have been away from the Church for several months or even years, whether you decided to come on your own or because a friend, parent, or grandparent, encouraged you to come today, welcome home. Let us gather as a community to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior, lifting our voices in praise and thanksgiving, rejoicing in the hope that Easter brings to each of us.

As we have ended the Lenten season, we now enter into the Church’s great celebration of the Easter season. The next several 50 days will celebrate the great gift we have received from our Lord’s passion, death, and resurrection. We will celebrate the end of these 50 days on Pentecost Sunday, June 8. We will provide more details as that celebration gets closer.

During the Easter season this year, we will be using the Sprinkling Rite in place of the ordinary Penitential Rite. Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we are introduced into a life of faith and friendship with Jesus Christ.  This holy water cleanses and purifies us as a reminder of our baptism as we continue to walk together towards a more personal and intimate relationship with Christ.

In the spirit of Easter, let us open our hearts to one another and to the transformative power of God's love. May this Easter season be a time of renewal and rebirth for each of us, as we continue our journey of faith together. On behalf of the parish staff, volunteers, and clergy, I wish you and your loved ones a blessed Easter filled with joy, peace, and hope in the Resurrection.

In Christ’s peace,

Fr. Bill