04/04/2026
HE IS TRULY RISEN, ALLELUIA!
WEEKLY REFLECTION
On behalf of the clergy and parish staff of Our Lady of the Lake, I wish you and your family a very happy Easter. Two thousand years ago, the women went to see the tomb. They found that the stone had been rolled away and the tomb was empty. An angel said to them: “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for He has been raised just as He said!” This message is the Good News offered by an angel defines the event that altered the world. This launched Christianity, transformed perspectives on life and death and introduced new standards of how. It fundamentally changed history by offering a new, loving way to live, shifting the focus from fear of death to the promise of eternal life, and impacting global cultures, and our personal relationships with God.
This is the Good News that we continue to celebrate today. As a child, during Holy Week, we would sit around the table as a family to dye eggs. I remember that each of us would have new outfits that we would wear to Mass on Easter. There was also an Easter basket for each of us that had a chocolate bunny. When we gathered for dinner at my aunt Carolyn’s house, dessert always featured a cake in the shape of a lamb that was decorated with coconut.
These traditions certainly bring back beautiful memories for me today. Many families continue to do the same things today. It is very important, however, that we also make sure to connect them to what we are celebrating. Chickens and rabbits are not found in the Easter readings in Sacred Scripture. The chick emerging from the shell, however, is a symbol of Christ’s coming out of the tomb on that first Easter morning. Rabbits are known as quite prolific and serve to remind us of the abundant life that God offers to believers. The lamb, through the celebration of Passover, was a great symbol for the Jewish people of the innocent animal through which they were able to escape from the slavery to Pharoh in Egypt. Jesus, the Lamb of God, is the one who sacrificed His life so that we might escape the slavery of sin and death. The new clothes that we wear first to Mass on Easter morning symbolize that new life that we have received through Christ’s death and resurrection. We wear them as a sign that we have “put on Christ.”
Remember that home is where children first meet and speak to the God who loves us. Make sure to connect what we do at home to what we celebrate in our faith. He is risen, He is truly risen! Let your lives be changed by this Good News as were the lives of those first believers!
Pax et bonum
EASTER SCHEDULE
EASTER VIGIL
Please note that the Easter Vigil begins on Saturday, 4/4 at 8:00pm. The Mass begins outside with the blessing of the Paschal Candle and has an extended Liturgy of the Word. We are also blessed that Jodi Brannigan will also be baptized and confirmed. Be aware that the Mass lasts at least 2 hours.
OFFICE HOURS
Our Parish Offices will be closed from Wednesday, 4/1 at 4:00pm until Tuesday, 4/7 at 9:00am as we celebrate the Easter celebrations. OLL School will have an early release on 4/1 and classes will resume on Monday, 4/13. There will be no faith formation classes next week. They will resume on Sunday, 4/12.
FOR ALL YOU DO...
There are so many things that go on to prepare for these great celebrations of the Lord’s Resurrection. Our Music Ministry, under the direction of Jerry Mead have been rehearsing to help us to enter into each celebration leading to this triumph over sin and death. Our young people have also been practicing to bring the Stations of the Cross to life in their portrayal of the living stations. Many others have been learning readings, cleaning and decorating so that we can properly appreciate the emotions of this sacred time. We would be remiss if we did not also thank everyone for your continued financial support of Our Lady of the Lake so that we can continue the mission of Christ’s love in our community. Thank you all for your dedication to this parish.
CELEBRATIONS
The Easter season is a time of sacramental celebrations in the Catholic Church. Next Saturday, at the 5:30 Mass, 2 members of our parish will be welcomed into the Church and complete their Sacraments of Initiation. Then at the 10:30am and 12:00pm Masses on Sunday as well as the Saturday 5:30pm and 10:30am and 12:00pm Masses next weekend, 55 members of our faith community will receive the 1st Eucharist. We give thanks for all of those who are learning the faith and preparing to celebrate these milestones in their lives of faith.
FAMILY FORMATION
I’m sure that everyone knows what CCD is, but how many know what it means? Believe it our not, the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) began in 1562 because of the Protestant Reformation. Castellino da Castelli was an Italian priest who created a school in Milan to teach Christian doctrine to children. This was adopted by the Council of Trent and proved to be a major figure in the Catholic Counter Reformation. It was not until 1905 that Pope St. Pius X mandated that every parish in the world have a CCD unit. It became crucial in the United States to teach children in public schools and by 1930, it was a national organization with a center in Washington, DC.
As your pastor, I attended public schools, I was a product of this classroom-centered format as I’m sure many of you were as well. In this classroom setting, we learned the key tenants of the faith and were prepared to complete the Sacraments of Initiation. Why should we consider changing something that has been done this way for so long? The format of educating students in a class led by a catechist—a person who teaches about the Catholic faith—does pass on the foundations of what we believe and why, however, it does not involve parents in the process.
By changing the focus to the family, we are hoping to support parents in fulfilling the responsibility they undertook at the baptism of their children, namely to be the first teachers of their children in the way of the faith. Since the beginnings of the New Testament, the family has been called the Domestic Church, because of the important role parents play in the development of the faith for children. Our desire to bring the focus on the family is meant to support the families to live the faith proclaimed by those who witnessed the resurrection.
Families will gather for only 11 at-church sessions between September and May. Taking what is learned there, they will be able to continue the learning at home at the convenience of the individual family unit. There will be 2 extra sessions for children and parents preparing to receive sacraments. Together, as a parish family, we will grow in knowledge and love of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
CHIILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
The month of April has been designated as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This annual event calls us all to realize that we need collection action to protect children and support their families. The Archdiocese of Newark is committed to helping survivors of childhood s*xual abuse heal. Gina Criscuolo, the Coordinator of the Office of Accompaniment, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, provides compassionate and supportive assistance to those who have been victims/survivors of child s*xual abuse. Please visit www.rcan.org for information, email [email protected] or call 973-497-4210.
CALLED BY NAME
Joseph Cardinal Tobin announced his pastoral initiative, We Are His Witnesses on the Solemnity of Pentecost last year. In it, he invites all of us to walk together on a journey—a path of pastoral conversion. This initiative is inspired by the Word of God and rooted in Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) We are called to reimagine parish life, mission and ministry in response to a rapidly changing world.
As you are all aware, the Church around the world has a pressing need for new priests to take up the responsibility of shepherding God’s holy people. Our Lady of the Lake is a vibrant large parish. To my knowledge, the last vocation to the priesthood who came from our parish was a gentleman named John Iannone. Born in Montclair in 1937 when our parish was just 12 years old, he was raised in West Orange. He entered the St. Mary Province of the Capuchin Franciscan order in 1955 at the age of 18 and was given the name Raphael. Fr. Raphael was ordained a priest in 1964 and served in many capacities throughout his life in service of the Gospel and remained active in ministry into his 80's. Fr. Raphael Iannone passed away this past summer on 7/26/25 at the age of 87.
The Archdiocese is launching “Called by Name” in conjunction with WAHS to help identify people those the Lord is calling. Parishioners will be able to nominate young men who show qualities of faith, leadership and service. You will be hearing more about this new program that will help raise new shepherds for His flock!
2026 ANNUAL APPEAL
The Archdiocesan Annual Appeal raises funds to support the mission of the Catholic Church in Bergen, Ess*x, Hudson and Union counties. That mission is to proclaim the Gospel, pass on the faith, care for the poor and vulnerable, form future priests and caring for retired clergy. Your sacrificial support makes it possible for us to carry out the important work that we are called to do as missionary disciples of Jesus.
Each year parishes in the Archdiocese of Newark are given both a goal and a stretch goal. Those numbers for Our Lady of the Lake this year are $63,241 and $82,213 respectively. Already 136 families have made their contributions totaling $57,880. Every donation helps. Please make a gift online today by clicking the button below or placing your contribution in with the regular collection at anytime.
Make a Pledge Today
FORMED PICK OF THE WEEK
“Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?” is an hour-long video that examines this foundation of our faith. St. Paul writes “If Christ has not been raised, then our faith is in vain.” Today, many people search for ways to explain away the Resurrection. Rather than accept Christian beliefs blindly, top scholars and biblical historians critically examine alternative explanations. In the end, they show why it is a matter of sound reason as well as faith to affirm what the Early Church proclaimed: Jesus is truly risen!
If you have not already signed up for your free membership courtesy of OLL, simply follow these simple steps:
1. Go to FORMED.org/signup
2. Select your parish (using zip code is easiest)
3. Choose “I am a parishioner”
4. Register with your name and email address
Check that email account for a link to begin all the great content on FORMED for you and your family. You can even download their free app for your phone in the Android or Google app store.
The Resurrection
UNDERSTANDING THE LITURGY
It is a good idea to review a few important points about what we celebrate as Catholics and how we do it through the liturgy. If you have any questions about the liturgy or the Church that you would like addressed, please send them to Fr. Peter.
WHAT IS THE OCTAVE OF EASTER?
An octave is an eight-day celebration. Since the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, there are two principal feasts in the Catholic Church that are celebrated with an octave: Christmas and Easter. The Easter Octave begins on Easter Sunday and ends on the Second Sunday of Easter, also called Divine Mercy Sunday.
In his book With Christ Through the Year Bernard Strasser writes: “If Holy Week is the most sacred and most important week of the entire ecclesiastical year, it is because it draws its importance from Good Friday, the day on which Christ, the God-Man and Redeemer, died on the cross for us. Rightly, therefore, can this week be considered the most serious and awe-inspiring in the church’s calendar. But Easter Week is the antithesis of Holy Week. Since the resurrection was the most significant event in the life of our Lord, who by means of this wonderful and undeniable fact, made His divinity known to the entire world. Easter is the highest Sunday and Easter Week is the great week of the entire Church year. No other feast is ever celebrated during this time.”
The closing of the greatest week of the liturgical year does not mean an end of Easter. The Easter season continues until Pentecost, a sum total of 50 days! The number of days of celebrating is longer than the preparation of the Lenten season, again illustrating the central importance of the Paschal Mystery. In the spirit of the Easter Octave, let us continue to celebrate the solemnity of Easter: This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!
STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2
Do you put God first in all things? Possessions, money, power, ego can easily become gods to many of us. Do a quick check of what is important to you. Is God at the very top of the list? If not, your priorities need to be re-adjusted. Don’t let earthly things become a god before God. This is also the first commandment – I am the Lord your God, you shall not have any strange gods before me.
ELECTRONIC GIVING
Giving to your Our Lady of the Lake electronically offers convenience for donors (giving anytime/anywhere, automating gifts) and significant benefits for the church, including more consistent giving, enhanced security, streamlined administration (less cash handling, better tracking, easier reporting), and the ability to engage younger, digital-native members, ensuring vital ministry support continues in a modern world.
ParishSoft, our parish database system also offers a comprehensive electronic giving platform. Visit: Giving.ParishSoft.com/app/giving/OLLVerona, Click on the “Sign In” tab and then on “Create One” to create your own personal account. Here, you will be able to manage all your contributions to your parish.
Create an Account
REJOICE IN THE LORD
"Rejoice in the Lord" is the episcopal motto of Joseph Cardinal Tobin. Those words come to us from Paul's Letter to the Philippians (4:4) and is the most commonly associated with the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, when the rose candle is lit on the Advent wreath. It is also the title of Cardinal Tobin's newsletter that he writes to the people of the Archdiocese of Newark. Our world today is filled with violence and discord. This is completely inconsistent with the message of Pentecost which calls all people to be united in the love of the Holy Spirit. In the latest edition of Rejoice in the Lord, Cardinal Tobin reflects the need for comprehensive immigration reform as we seek to treat every person with dignity and respect.
Current Issue
SPONSOR / GODPARENT
The Catholic Church, in her wisdom, asks that candidates for the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation have someone assigned to guide them in the ways of the faith. In English, that person is called a godparent for Baptism and a sponsor for Confirmation, but the qualifications are the same. The Code of Conon Law #872 specifies that:
Insofar as possible one to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who is to assist an adult in Christian Initiation, or, together with the parents, to present an infant at the baptism, and who will help the baptized to lead a Christian life in harmony with baptism, and to fulfill faithfully the obligations connected with it.
The canon explains that only one male or one female sponsor or one of each s*x may be a baptismal sponsor or Godparent. It is not enough to just be a good person, the sponsor should be actively practicing their faith to be able to guide the individual. In order for a person to serve as a baptismal sponsor, among the requirements listed, the law also states that the sponsor must:
be at least sixteen years old, unless it seems to the pastor or minister that an exception is to be made for a just cause;
be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken;
not be the father or the mother of the one to be baptized.
The law does allow for a baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community to be accepted only as a witness to baptism, along with at least one Catholic who serves as a sponsor. It is customary that the person who is to be the sponsor provide a letter (sponsorship certificate) from the parish that they attend which serves as a testimony on their behalf. Here at Our Lady of the Lake, a person must be a registered parishioner for at least 3 months, regularly attending Mass and supporting the parish in some way to obtain this letter. Once you are an adult, you should register on your own. If you are not sure if you are currently registered, contact the parish office. Before we issue a sponsorship certificate, a parishioner should be registered and participating in the life of the parish for at least 3 months.
