Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Risen Christ, The liturgy of Easter Sunday invites the catholic community to walk with the Risen Christ. The chorus of words, ‘he has risen’, echo from across the centuries. We are invited to tread the same paths of faith and engage with the faith stories of the early communities of the Risen Lord and experience Him, as they experienced Him. Jesus Christ is alive in our communities and walks with us in our daily lives. We follow how the early church experienced Him as he appeared to the disciples, to Thomas, the Emmaus travellers, to the fisherman and their families on the Sea of Galilee and in the lives of the folks of Galilee. Saints Paul and Peter experienced His influence as they proclaimed, ‘Jesus was alive’ and watched as He added to their numbers each day. From Easter to Pentecost is like a rich seam of gold waiting to be mined and knowing there is no limit to this seam, as it is Jesus himself who gives totally of himself, invites us into the journey with everyone in the Church. May these 50 days be a rich source for us to read, reflect and pray. Yours in the Risen Christ
Bishop Michael McCarthy DD Diocese of Rockhampton