Eastertide or Paschaltide begins on Easter Sunday and lasts until PENTECOST, seven weeks later.

The RESURRECTION of Jesus from the dead, which Easter celebrates is the foundation of our Faith. St Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ. By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope, through the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

Mary Magdalen, who stood at the foot of the Cross, was the first to arrive at the empty tomb on Easter Sunday Morning. She thought that Jesus’ body had been taken away. But Jesus’ body had not been taken away. He had risen to new life which we all share with him when we rise from the dead.

In the Creed we say “I believe in the RESURRECTION of the body and life everlasting.”

CATHERINE MCAULEY wrote that Easter was the most Animating season after a dreary winter.
We can all agree as nature helps to animate us with longer and brighter days and lovely flowers to cheer us.

When Catherine called Easter an ANIMATING SEASON she implied

• A move into action
• A fresh start
• A new energy
• A lively approach

We see in Catherine how she animated others by her encouraging words and letters –
“I would like to tell you all the little cheering things that God permits to fall in our way.”
“Be ready to praise, to encourage, to stimulate, but slow to censure and still more slow to condemn.”
“Our charity is to be CORDIAL. Now cordial signifies something that renews, invigorates and warms.”
“It is not in bestowing gifts, like benevolent persons, that speaks of generosity of mind. It is bestowing of ourselves most freely while relying with confidence on the Providence of God.”

Catherine gave a good example in her efforts to animate others. She used music, poetry and dance, and the comforting cup to tea was always relied on to provide that ANIMATION

The QUESTION for me is – Do I leave people feeling better and more ANIMATED?

Sr. Bernadette McCaffrey