Faith leaders share prayers for Easter

For the Christian faithful, Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The holiday follows the season of Lent: 40 days of fasting, sacrifice and prayer. This year, Easter falls on Sunday, April 12. And if our society remains ‘safer at home,’ it will be an Easter unlike any other, as social distancing practiced to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has led to the indefinite closing of churches. Instead of joining parishioners at houses of worship, many will attend services online. Religious leaders share their prayers and messages of hope for the season.

Rev. Flavio Montes
Our Lady of the Lakes
Roman Catholic Church
15801 NW 67th Ave.
Miami Lakes
Masses can be watched on the following websites: www.ollnet.com/church; https://www.ewtn.com/ or theadom.org.

“Dear Friends in Christ: Christ is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Happy Easter! I pray that you and your loved ones have a blessed Easter!
“We are an Easter people, meant to be filled with that deep joy! This is God’s gift to each one of us. It is this feeling of profound hope and joy that, when motivating all the moments of our life, will change our lives and the lives of our family and friends.
“May the risen Lord continue to bless us all with a living faith! Believe in the good news of Jesus Christ!
“Please be assured of my prayers and those of the clergy and staff of Our Lady of The Lakes Catholic Church and school. May God’s Blessings be yours this Easter!”
Andres Novela
Teacher, Campus Minister, Director of Campus
Ministry
Monsignor Edward Pace High School

“Easter is a time of new life, of resurrection, for Christ and for us, as people of faith.
“It reminds us that even after the darkest of night, the sun will rise in the morning.
“The hope of the resurrection can restore us, enliven us and renew us.”

Pastor Al Pino
Palm Vista Community Church
Miami Lakes Middle School Auditorium
6425 Miami Lakeway N. Miami Lakes
https://www.palmvista.org/

“Our prayers are for God’s protection for all who are suffering in this current coronavirus crisis, especially the most vulnerable amongst us.
“May God have mercy on us in Christ Jesus, who suffered and died on the cross to take our sins and rose from the dead to heal the mortal wound of sin.
“While we are not meeting in person, as is our custom we do invite you to join us in our livestream service each Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
You can find that service at www.palmvista.org/live.”

Rev. John F. Stanton
The Church of the
Epiphany Episcopal
15650 Miami Lakeway North
Miami Lakes
https://www.episcopalmiamilakes.com/

“We think we have problems with a pandemic.
“But think of Jesus. He had a worse problem when they hung him on a cross.
“When they took him down, his disciples ran away.
“It was the women, not the men, who bravely found his tomb empty.
“Jesus appeared to his disciples in an upper room where they were hiding for fear that they might also be crucified. ‘Peace, Shalom,’ said Jesus, and he showed them he was still with them.
“In our own difficult time, may we know the peace and power of the risen Christ.”