Just reflecting on a Tuesday afternoon

April is about to come to an end.  As we move closer to May we move closer to summer.  I don't care much for summer.  It already has been unseasonably hot for April and we all know how violent the weather has been across the country.  April was an amazingly beautiful month in terms of following our Lenten journey to the high holy days of the Triduum and this weekend's glorious celebration of Easter!  As an ordained Permanent Deacon the end of Lent and the beginning of the Easter season is physically and spiritually demanding; although it leaves you so remarkably fulfilled. 

As we enter May so early in the Easter season we have a rare opportunity to carry the Easter alleluia's well into the month of June.  Still ahead for our celebrations are the Ascension and Pentecost, both of which will be in June.  It is not until Pentecost Sunday that we end the Easter season and begin ordinary time again. 

In our everyday comings and goings this Easter Season will see the increased influence of late spring, which in southeast Louisiana means increased heat and humidity, rapidly growing grass and the end of the good crawfish season.  We will turn our attention more to baseball than basketball, although we in New Orleans are enjoying the competiveness of our Hornets as they battle the dreaded Lakers.  And yes, alas, we are reminded in the weeks ahead to be prepared for hurricane season.

In just one week, we will celebrate with the Church the beatification ceremonies for our beloved John Paul II.  That's the one thing I plan on waking up early for this week, not some wedding from the country we defeated to earn our independence some 235 years ago.

May, like last year when we celebrated our son's wedding, will give rise to another joyful event as our daughter Elizabeth graduates from LSU.  What an amazing day that will be.  She has excelled at LSU and I'm so proud that both my children graduated from my favorite all time university.

So I look forward to the end of April and the beginning of May and continuing my rich ministries both at Rayburn Prison, Most Holy Trinity Parish and the work that I do with the candidates for the diaconate.  And I continue to pledge to endure these warm weather months taking great joy that October is only about 125 days away.