The Andy Cooney “Forever Irish” concert this past week was a fantastic show and a tremendous success. Just being there made you so proud to be a part of St. Joseph's School.

What could be better than being greeted at the door with smiles and hugs from two of the Hogan girls, Jean Hogan Lewis and Marianne Hogan Sabine. They are such a wonderful family. It was obvious much effort went into this event from the Cuthbert family and Cheryl Foster and so many others, including the parents of St. Joseph's School students. They were ready and willing to help as always. Mary Casper Latanyshyn and Donna Barton Brooks sold 50/50 raffle tickets to the sold-out, packed crowd.

The school raised $20,000 from this single event.

The show itself was wonderful. There were fun and rousing, as well as moving and emotional Irish songs sung by Cooney, as well as a guest female singer from Ireland and a band. Also, the Irish comedian was absolutely hysterical. In addition, we were treated to fabulous Irish step-dancers, including local dancer Beth Cuthbert, who has been touring with the group in 18 cities.

Another highlight happened in the midst of all the Irish music. The band suddenly broke into a traditional Italian melody, and Cooney called his friend Paul up on the stage. Little did we know, it would be local talent Paul Salterello. I have never had the pleasure of hearing Paul sing, and now I know why he is so popular. What a beautiful voice he has, and they were so funny as they kidded with each other over the Irish/Italian music. That was really a special moment and truly enjoyed by the entire audience.

In case you missed this show, not to worry. Cooney will be back this summer to perform a dinner show to benefit Tyburn Academy, and I promise you won't want to miss it.

Today is Holy Saturday and much is remembered this week.

Holy Week is such a special and sacred time of the year. I can recall some Good Fridays past, when even the weather seemed to understand the magnitude of this most holy day. The sky would be dark, overcast and stormy, almost eerie. It was as if you could imagine what it must have been like that day when Jesus died on the cross for our sins. How scary and sad it must have been for Mary and John at the foot of the cross. Even the soldiers were scared immediately after the death of Jesus: “And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, ‘Truly, this was the Son of God!'” Matthew 27:51-54

Today we remember Jesus being placed in the tomb, before he rose from the dead. Just imagine the excitement of Mary Magdalane as she ran to tell the others, “He has risen!” How frightened and confused they must have been. And Thomas, like so many of us would be, said “I will not believe it until I touch his wounds and place my hand in his side.” Then, Jesus appeared to the apostles as they hid in the upper room, frightened and confused, and he tells them, as he continues to tell us today, “Be not afraid. I am with you always until the end of time.”

He understands our human frailty and speaks to Thomas and has him touch his wounds and place his hand in his side so that he will know, and believe.

On that first Easter morning, Jesus conquered sin and death for us, that we might live and have eternal life with him forever.

This Easter morning, I hope you are blessed with the sight of a robin, a single crocus or a little girl in an Easter bonnet, to remind you of the new life of springtime, our new life with our risen Lord.

Don't forget, this morning at 11:30 a.m. St. Hyacinth's continues its beautiful tradition of the Blessing of the Easter baskets. These include not only children's Easter baskets, but also homemade baskets filled with freshly baked Babka bread, kielbasa, eggs, butter and rich foods, asking our Lord's blessing upon these Easter foods after the long Lenten fasting.

Have a beautiful Easter and remember, God loves you so much.

“I did not want my child to flounder as I had often floundered. I wanted to believe, and I wanted my child to believe, and if belonging to a Church would give her so inestimable a grace as faith in God, and the companionable love of the Saints, then the thing to do was to have her baptized.”

- Dorothy Day

Denise Bennett is a parishioner at Holy Family Church in Auburn. She can be reached at deniseb132@yahoo.com