ARE YOU NEW TO OUR PARISH? WELCOME!
Welcome to those who want to make our parish their faith home. You may have come from other places. You may have been “away for a while”. Be assured that we love to have you among us. We would appreciate it very much if you identified yourself at Mass. It would also help if you would take the time to fill out a registration form. The next time you are with us, you may leave it in the collection basket or give it to one of the ushers or to the priest. Thank you and welcome.

OUR EASTER FAITH DISPLAYED IN THE BANNERS
The set of banners you see in the front of the church will be with us for the next 50 days, covering the entire Easter season. They are more than a piece of decoration. In vivid images, they capture what as church we are about in the Easter season.

The cross, which on its own is an instrument of torture and shame, has been transformed into the tree of life (remember what we sang during Lent!). That is what the resurrection of Jesus makes possible. The sun of the new creation has dawned and the roots of the cross, of the tree of life reach into the darkest corners of our human existence to bring life. Part of that new creation is that the risen Christ shares his life-giving Spirit with us; that is captured in the red banner with its flames of fire. The lower banner shows us how in the waters of baptism we have got our feet in the new creation of the risen Jesus.

Quite significantly, the banners hang above or serve as a backdrop to the two focal points of our celebration of the eucharist: the lectern from which God's life-giving Word is proclaimed and the altar around which we share the life-giving bread and wine of the new creation, the Body and Blood of Christ. These are the two principal means of the church by which the new life we have received in baptism is nourished and sustained on a regular basis.

THE WHITE RIBBON ATTACHED TO THE BULLETIN
At the beginning of Lent a piece of burlap was attached to the bulletin. It was meant to be given a prominent place in our homes so that it would remind us of the season we are observing as Christians. But now Lent is over. So the burlap can be remoVed: you may want to bring it to church and leave it in a box there.

Now it is time for the white ribbon to be given an equally prominent place in our homes for the next 50 days to remind us of the Easter festival we are now celebrating.

THE ASHES/SAND REPLACED BY THE LIFE-GIVING WATER OF EASTER
In the beginning of Lent many of us received the ashes as part of the summons to repent and be converted, so characteristic of the Lenten season. The ashes/sand at the entrance of the church were meant to be a reminder of that. After the 40 days of Lent it is time to have the baptismal water come over us again and to give the life-giving water of Easter its rightful place. It is another typically Catholic way of speaking the faith we cherish.

AT THE EASTER VIGIL AND AT THE EASTER MASSES - OUR BAPTISM RENEWED
Baptism inserts us into Christ's victory over death and sin. But it takes a life time for baptism "to take". Easter is a privileged time to have it renewed so that the new life that Jesus won for us in his Death and Resurrection may progressively grow on us.

ST. ALOYSIUS PARISH BIBLE STUDY
Are you interested in increasing your knowledge of the bible? St.Aloysius parish, 300 Abbe-Murray, Gatineau has organized a bible study, starting April 7th which will be on Mondays every two weeks at 7:30 in the church basement. Different presenters have agreed to participate. Bishop Gervais, retired Bishop of the Ottawa Diocese has agreed to lead the first two Mondays. Everyone is invited, bring a friend and your bible and join us for an interesting evening. For information, please call the parish at 819-663-5244.

GRADUATES FOR A REUNION
Did you go to the Ecole Normale Chapeau aka St. Mary’s Teachers College between the years 1940 to 1969? We are having a Reunion on May 17 in Chapeau. For more information you may call Loma Venasse-Roel at 819-689-2129 or email Iorna.roel@yahoo.com or Bernadette Matte-Hendry at 819-689-5223.

As Sr. Mary Edwin said to the graduates in 1969, “I honestly feel that St. Mary’s Teachers College will not “cease to exist” in June 1969, but rather that it will live on in loving memory and in effective influence in the lives of its graduates and of all those whose dedication and sacrifice over the years have made possible its fine contribution to teacher-education in the province.” Hope to see you at the Reunion.