4 minute read
Easter Is In Our Hearts
Easter Is In Our Hearts
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
The holiday of Easter will be observed on March 31, 2024.
When asked what Easter means to them and what they will be doing for the occasion this year, citizens gave the following responses.
Georgina Frankiw mentioned, “Easter to me is the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the past, I used to attend and enjoy the Easter Tea, Luncheon, and Bake Sales the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League held which we no longer have.
Now, I go to church and have an Easter basket blessed that sustains our physical life with the traditional food in it. The food in the basket and the meaning of each one is the Easter bread, Pascha is a large, round loaf of bread. It is decorated with a braided cross and many rosettes. The Pascha symbolizes the joy of the new life that is given to us by Jesus Christ. The Babka is a tall, cylindrical, sweet bread that is decorated with a simple cross. The Babka symbolizes the richness of eternal life. The richness of the ham is symbolic of the great joy and abundance of Easter. The Kobasa is a spicy garlic sausage and is indicative of God’s favor and generosity. The cottage cheese reminds us of the moderation that we should cultivate in our daily lives. The hard-boiled eggs are symbolic of Christ’s death and resurrection, that is, new life emerges from what appeared to be lifeless. The butter may be shaped into a lamb or decorated with whole cloves or peppercorns in the form of a cross. The butter reminds us of the goodness of Christ which in turn we should share with others. The salt helps us to recall that we are committed to being followers of Christ and carrying out His word: ‘You’re the salt of the earth. The horseradish mixed with grated beets is symbolic of the passion and death of Christ. It reminds us of sin's bitterness and the difficulties we must undergo throughout our earthly lives. The items in the basket include the pysanky beautifully decorated eggs with symbols derived from nature and later adapted to the Christian way of worship. The candle (made of beeswax) is placed in the basket and lit during the blessing celebration. It is symbolic of Christ being the light of the world who brought us the glorious good news of new life. The embroidery cover reminds us of Christ’s shroud (white linen) and of our baptismal robe (kryszma). Being cleansed with the baptismal waters, we celebrate the joy of new life by putting on the kryszma.
I also attend church service on Easter Sunday and sing in the choir. Then I have family over to share the blessed food and more. This is a great get-together where we greet each other by saying Christ has risen and answer indeed He has risen in English and Khrystos Voskres we answer Voisteno Voskres in Ukrainian and Christos Inviat we answer Ardivarat Inviat in Romanian.”
Eva Forrester-McCauley commented, “As a Latter-day Saint, it means that I can be reunited with my family after death. It gives me hope that this isn't the end, there is something more beautiful; a place after this life is over. Because of the sacrifice that came when my Saviour Jesus Christ died on the cross that first Easter weekend, I will see my family and friends all again. I am also Jewish so I also celebrate Passover, during Easter Weekend and it also ties back to family and the traditions of the past.”
Jolene Rachelle Borstel said, “Easter to me is a good reminder about how much God loves us. John 3:16.”
Lori Borstel expressed that Easter means Jesus died for her sins. “I am forgiven! I had asked Jesus to be my Lord and Saviour and rely on him daily. I’m never alone, he is always with me.”
