Easter Vigil Homily 2025 + Music

Why do we do this?  Why do we gather late at night to celebrate a liturgy more different than any other?  Well it's not for doctrine or dogma.  Christ didn't come to set church teachings or a catechism, though he did do that.  No, we come instead to share our faith.  We come to share the faith that Christ brought us and the Good News is carries because Jesus desires that every person enter eternal life.  But to share the faith we profess, we must also accept the crosses and burdens that come with it, just ask Christ did.  The best thing we can do to express our faith is to share it with others regardless of the cost and with the aim of inviting new members into its fold through the sacraments.  From the staff of the Emmaus Pastorate, happy Easter to you and your family!

Included in this episode is the Easter Alleluia, the first time "alleluia" is uttered since Ash Wednesday 40 days ago.  It was cantored by mother and daughter Anne and Molly Franta.  Deacon Paul Dolan proclaimed the Gospel, Luke 24:1-12.  As Fr. John introduced, the Litany of Saints ends this episode.  John Becker's rendition was cantored by Tara Ketoff.  Both pieces were accompanied by Coleen Glaza, conducted by John Uhal, and featured the combined ensembles of the Emmaus Pastorate, Collen Moore on flute, and Steve Steinfadt and Marge Gaul on guitar.