GARY – “He is risen, he is risen indeed!” was the message proclaimed on April 9 by Christians throughout the world, including Bishop Robert J. McClory as he celebrated Easter Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels.
There is joy this morning after such a beautiful night (at the Easter Vigil Mass) last night, added the bishop, noting that two young men were baptized at the cathedral as were dozens of others around the Diocese of Gary.
“I was baptized at 17 days old, and it was the greatest gift my parents could give me, but to see an adult say ‘Yes, I believe, yes I want to be baptized, and yes I believe in Jesus’ should lead us to appreciate how God is with us today,” said Bishop McClory.
“Jesus came to set us free … all the prophecies of the Old Testament are fulfilled in Jesus,” he added. “Go to Galilee, I will meet you in Galilee.”
At the Easter Vigil Mass a night earlier at the Vatican, noted the bishop, Pope Francis pointed to Galilee “as the place where the disciples first met Jesus. We may remember distant memories that are part of our history, but to go to Galilee today is to go to where you first met Jesus.
“So go to Galilee and say, ‘I am so grateful for all the blessings you’ve given me – for life, for baptism, for my family, for the gift of the Church … for the gift of the Eucharist,” Bishop McClory said, “something we can not only remember in the past, but bring with us today.”
Among those counting their blessing at the cathedral on Easter Sunday were those who had designated roles in the Mass.
Phil Rodriguez and Maritsa Franco, both of Dyer, were happy to carry the offertory gifts up to the altar. We’ve done it before, but it felt special on Easter more so than on other Sundays,” said Rodriguez. God was with us to make it happen today.”
Franco added that “it was special (to the couple) to be able to carry the gifts together. It feels like a big deal.” After visiting the Holy Angels for several Masses, “it felt more complete to me being part of the cathedral,” and she plans to make it her home parish.”
Cantor Beth Moreno chose her solo, “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth” in collaboration with cathedral music director Dave Vicari and called it, “one of my standards from Handel’s ‘Messiah.’
“I think of the message that I am carrying (to the congregation) that I do know that my Redeemer lives and that he shall stand on the last day,” she said.
To participate in the Easter Sunday Mass is special to her, added Moreno, because “I am able to share my gift with everybody and contribute to the Mass, and since it is livestreamed, people throughout the country can see and hear it.”
Lector Maria Elena Valtierra, of Gary, a parishioner at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels for 40 years, was thankful it was her turn in the rotation to proclaim the Word on Easter. “God is risen today, and with all the different people coming today, it was an honor. “To have the bishop here is a real treat for us; his visits are always special.”
Valtierra said her favorite feature of the cathedral is the baptismal font. “It is a real pool and it is in the center of the nave; my grandson Gregory A. Ramos was the first baby to be baptized in the font when it was put in 16 years ago. I also like that the altar was moved out into the open and that the priest faces the people.”
Bettye Phillips, of Gary, an usher known for her stylish clothes, said she did “a lot of praying” during Lent to prepare for Easter, especially after having several family members suffer illnesses. While she is happy to celebrate Easter, “Every Sunday is important to me, and I thank God for every day,” she said. “I’m grateful.”
A member of the Cathedral of the Holy Angels Choir “since the day I walked in the door 10 years ago,” Joseph Cunningham, of Gary, explained that he arrived from Ss. Monica and Luke to add his voice to the cathedral choir.
“The people here are special to me, and when I see babies brought to Mass, I know everything is going to be okay. The baptisms are important to me.”
Cunningham said his favorite hymn at the Easter Sunday Mass was the spiritual “Wade in the Water,” which tells the story of 24 people who arrived in the U.S. on a slave ship and made the choice to drown themselves rather than become indentured slaves. “Many people made that sacrifice,” he added solemnly.
As for his Easter joy, he said, “I feel the love that people are giving out today.”