I know it’s been over a month since we celebrated Easter Sunday, and with all that has transpired since I have not had a chance to say thank you to all who made our Holy Week and Easter Sunday celebrations so beautiful and meaningful. Thankfully, we still are in the Easter Season, celebrating Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, and I am able to say thank you before the end of the Season.

I would like to begin by thanking our Environment Committees of both St. Joseph and St. Michael who did a wonderful job in decorating our churches for our Holy Week and Easter Sunday Celebrations. The environment draws us into the celebration and signifies the importance of the liturgies. The small chapel at St. Joseph for the altar of the repose made you feel you were on the Mount of Olives in the Holy Land. 

Also, thank you especially to St. Michael and St. Joseph Choirs.  The choirs spent a lot of time rehearsing for Holy Week and Easter Sunday. It really showed in the beautiful music that was sung for these celebrations. 

To all who had a part in ministering at our Holy Week and Easter Sunday celebrations, as Lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Usher and Altar Servers thank you so much. Without your part in the celebration, they would not have gone as smoothly as they did. 

I would like to extend one last special thank you. This past week, on Wednesday, May 1st, I celebrated my 31st anniversary of being ordained a priest. I am most grateful to you, the people of St. Joseph and St. Michael, and to all who made my years of being a priest so memorable and enjoyable.  Being a priest for 31 years has brought me tremendous joy. Hopefully, by my word and example, I have inspired you and others to draw closer to Christ and to celebrate your faith, for truly without Him, we can do nothing.  I appreciate all of you who continue to pray for me every day. 

Thank you and God bless you all, 

FR. Eric D. Lofgren