Bishops' Schedules: Schedule of Bishop William H. Bullock Saturday, April 6, 2002 4:30 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Mary Parish, Pine Bluff Sunday, April 7, 2002 2:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Eucharist, Celebration of 50th Wedding Anniversaries in the Diocese of Madison, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Wednesday, April 10, 2002 7:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. John the Baptist Parish, Muscoda, with St. Joseph Parish, Avoca, at St. John the Baptist Parish, Muscoda Schedule of Bishop George O. Wirz Saturday, April 6, 2002 5:15 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, Holy Ghost Parish, Dickeyville Sunday, April 7, 2002 1:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Joseph Parish, East Bristol, with St. Olaf Parish, De Forest, at St. Joseph Parish, East Bristol Wednesday, April 10, 2002 7:30 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Luke Parish, Plain, with St. Patrick Parish, Loreto, at St. Luke Parish, Plain

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

		The Bishop: A Herald of Faith Bishop William H. Bullock

The fullness of our Easter joy is rooted in the celebrations of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.

Jesus redeemed us from our sins, forgave us from the cross, healed us by the sacrifice of His life on that same cross. He did so in loving obedience to the Father. He finished His mission given by the Father in what we call the Paschal Mystery.

"To the person without faith our jubilation at Easter is regarded as nonsense, a stumbling block, but to the believer it is the fulfillment of the promise made by Jesus, God-made-man, who made good his claim: 'Destroy the temple of this body and in three days I will raise it up'."

Jesus, the same

On Easter morning it is not just the empty tomb that is the center of our attention, but Jesus, risen from the dead; that same Jesus walked in the garden, walked side by side with his disciples on the road to Emmaus, and broke bread with His disciples. It was of Him that the apostles shouted out: He is risen from the dead! He is Lord!

St. Paul reminds us that Jesus, risen from the dead, is the first born of the new creation and it is in his new life that we all share. He has conquered death. He is the victor of life! He is Savior of the world.

Spring-Easter

In these early days of spring, as we leave behind the old and put on the new, we leave behind the cold of winter for the warmth of spring. We are filled with Easter joy and with smiles of happiness in our new life in Jesus and sing with gusto, "Jesus Christ is risen today! Alleluia!"

To the person without faith our jubilation at Easter is regarded as nonsense, a stumbling block, but to the believer it is the fulfillment of the promise made by Jesus, God-made-man, who made good his claim: "Destroy the temple of this body and in three days I will raise it up."

Signs of spring

Colorful flowers, candied bunnies, colored eggs, willow branches, jelly beans and greeting cards, all announce the newness of spring. For us as Christians, it's more than spring. We rejoice in Jesus' Resurrection and the fullness of life He brings us.

May our lives be rooted deeply in joy and in Christ's love, helping us to experience his life-giving power and strength.

The power of Easter is ever at work within us and renews our hope as we journey through this vale of tears. Happy Easter to all. Alleluia!