Notes on Easter Sunday

This is the last entry I'm re-purposing from comments made at Open Book. Later, I'll have time to talk about family baptisms, prayers answered and not answered and everything else I've contemplated during this very busy week. But first, a summary of my morning.

Happy Easter!

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9 AM Mass

For a Mass that may have 35-40 worshippers some Sundays in the summer (70-80 during the school year), we were amazed to have >200 in the small Chapel at 9 AM. SRO in the back & sides. Altar servers ended up on the Sanctuary steps, and families filled the empty choir seats. There were 4 of us singing at 9 AM, so our sound was amplified by the additional 16 or so bodies sitting behind us.

This was my 6th liturgy this week (and that's nothing compared to our Priest and Assoc. Campus Minister!), and I had hopes for a great culmination of Holy Week. I was not disappointed.

A significant part of the crowd included our Padre's extended family, as his niece was making her 1st Communion today. She was adorable in her dress and veil and gloves and clear attempts to remember to behave when distracted by her younger brother.

Entrance to Jesus Christ is Risen Today. The >50% increase in singing parishioners from a "full Sunday" made this hymn extra special.

Water of Life during the Rite of Sprinkling--we went through all 4 verses this time.

Psalm 118: This is the Day, got lots of smiles and, again, lots of singing along.

Our Assoc Campus Minister & I chanted the Victimae Paschali Laudes. In the middle section, he sang "Dic nobis Maria...?" and I responded with Mary's description of what she saw and the tomb and heard from the angels.

Similar homily to the Vigil, since most folks in this Parish don't attend both liturgies.

Offertory: Now the Green Blade Rises (twice through to get through everyone.)

Sung Eucharistic Prayer, as during the Vigil.

Communion: Song for the Body of Christ (2x)

Closing: Sing to the Mountains.

Long, long lines to get out--noisy and happy families, a strong feeling of community, and a great ending for Lent.

Lesson? Prepare lots more music next year....