The needy will get to mark the holiday with free Easter dinners.
As Easter Sunday, one of the most joyous of occasions in the Christian calendar, draws near priests and pastors around Western Massachusetts are helping congregants observe the hope and renewal offered by the holiday.
Easter Sunday celebrates the Christian belief that Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day after being crucified about 2,000 years ago.
The Most Rev. Timothy A. McDonnell, bishop of Springfield, and the Right Rev. Douglas J. Fisher shared some of their thoughts at this special time of year.
In a column in April’s Catholic Mirror, the official publication of the Springfield Diocese, McDonnell pointed out that this year Easter comes in March rather than in April, which is the case most springs.
He went on to write that when it comes early Easter arrives like a surprise that can never come too soon.
“We all have Good Fridays in our lives, those events that cause us sorrow and pain. Some are temporary; others seem to go on and on. Easter reminds us that sorrow will be eased, pain will be alleviated, joy will come into our lives. For, at Easter, we realize that even death is not final,” he wrote.
The bishop concluded his column with the message that Easter opens the world to new possibilities such as that of sins being forgiven and given the chance for a new life.
Fisher shared part of his upcoming sermon, which deals with how Christ having risen changes the world.
“The way of life for thousands of years was set in a definite way,” Fisher wrote. “If you were poor, you would die poor. Might makes right. Only the strong of this world have any dignity. If you mess up, your sin will be held against you forever. If someone harms you, you must harm them in return. Women only have life in relationship to men. When countries are in conflict, the only resolution is war. For thousands of years it was like this.”
That rising upsets everything, according to Fisher.
“If death does not have power over Jesus, what else does not have power over Jesus? What else can change? Fisher wrote.
Orthodox Christian churches, including Greek and Russian congregations, will mark Easter this year on May 5. The Rev. Panteleimon Klostri, parish priest of St. Luke’s Greek Orthodox Church in East Longmeadow, said as usual his message will be that Christ has risen.
The needy will get to mark the holiday with free Easter dinners.
Kate’s Kitchen in Holyoke will serve a traditional ham dinner starting at noon Sunday with service continuing to 1 p.m. and all being welcome. Kate’s Kitchen is located in the rear of 51 Hamilton St. in Holyoke. All are welcome.
Open Pantry Community Services in Springfield will serve a free Easter dinner at noon at Commerce High School on State Street in Springfield. Doors will open at 11 a.m.
The Springfield Rescue Mission at 19 Bliss St. in Springfield will serve a special breakfast today at 7 a.m. followed by a free Easter dinner featuring ham at 4 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Jewish holiday of Passsover, which commemorates the Jews’ liberation from slavery in Egypt, ends Monday.
The weather on the weekend is expected to be in the in the mid-50s both days, according to the National Weather Service. Saturday is supposed to be the sunnier of the two days, while Sunday will be partly overcast and have a chance of rain later in the day and evening.
Nick Morganelli, meteorologist with CBS 3 Springfield, the media partners for The Republican and Masslive.com, said Saturday will be "a mild day with a good deal of sunshine."
Staff writer Patrick Johnson contributed to this report.