From Our Pastor

Recently, I have been asked by several individuals why Easter is so early this year? Actually, it’s not all THAT early.  And, I was also asked by one how do we determine the date of Easter. Let me explain and illustrate:

Factor 1: Easter MUST be in the season of Spring; so it has to be AFTER the first day of Spring. In 2012, Spring begins at 1:14 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, March 20.   

 Factor 2:Easter MUST be after the first full moon of the Spring Season. In 2012, there is a full moon on Thursday, March 8 (too early — before Spring starts!!); the next full moon is Good Friday, April 6 — the first full moon of Spring 2012.        

Factor 3: Easter MUST be on a Sunday because we read in the Gospels that Jesus rose on the FIRST day of the week.In 2012, the first Sunday after the first full moon (April 6) after the first day of Spring (March 20) is SUNDAY, APRIL 8 = Easter Sunday, 2012.

More Easter date trivia?1. Earliest Date of Easter:  March 22.  This last occurred in 1818 and will next occur in 2285.  The closest we’ve gotten was in 2008 when Easter was March 23. 2. Latest Date of Easter: April 25.  This last occurred  in 1943 and will next occur in 2038.  The closest we’ve gotten was in 2011 when Easter was April 24. 3. Average Date of Easter: April 19.

So, that’s enough trivia about Easter dating to make you look really smart (or really trivial?)

This Wednesday is the beginning of the Lenten Season with the celebration of Ash Wednesday.  Masses for us here at Holy Spirit are at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the BGHS Cafeteria.  Ashes will be distributed at the end of Mass.

40 Days of Lent reckoning?  Pre-Lent: Ash Wednesday and three days following:In 2012, February 22 — 25.   40 Days of Lent: 1st Sunday of Lent to Holy ThursdayIn 2012: February 26 — April 5. Triduum: Holy Thursday Evening, Good Friday, Holy  Saturday. In 2012: April 5 — April 7. 50 Days of Easter: Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday.In 2012: April 8 — May 27. 

  Love, Fr. Bill