Easter Sunday: St. John’s anticipates large crowds at services

Easter Sunday is celebrated around the world as the day that Jesus Christ rose from the dead three days after being crucified. - Photo by Lance Brownfield of The Sentinel Record.
Easter Sunday is celebrated around the world as the day that Jesus Christ rose from the dead three days after being crucified. - Photo by Lance Brownfield of The Sentinel Record.

After finally recovering its numbers from the pandemic, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church eagerly awaits today's Easter celebration.

Returning to pre-COVID numbers in the last several weeks, Father George Sanders says there has been "just standing room" in recent services.

A stark contrast from three years ago, Sanders said he is hoping for large crowds for the holiday.

"Three years ago, we didn't really see an end to this," he said. "It's a celebration of the people of God. It's not supposed to be just three priests together."

Sanders said when the virus started to grip the community, they held their Easter services virtually with only the priests in person and the rest of the congregation watching online.

The holiday is about more than colorful eggs and the Easter Bunny, as Christians around the world commemorate the day that Jesus Christ was resurrected and ascended to be at the right hand of the Father, three days after he was crucified on a cross.

"It's a celebration that Christ conquered death and the grave," Sanders said.

He said it is the day people recognize that Jesus gifted all humanity with the gift of eternal life as he defeated the sin of the world and was offered as a sacrificial lamb for our sakes.

He said that it's the one day that all branches of Christianity come together to celebrate the holiday at the same time, as Christmas and other holidays are often observed at different times, depending on the denomination.

Although all branches start on the same day, the Catholic Church celebrates eight days of Easter instead of just one -- calling it the Octave of Easter. Beginning on Easter Sunday, St. John the Baptist will observe the resurrection of Christ through the following Sunday.

"There's just so much joy that one day, 24 hours, cannot contain," said Sanders.

According to Sanders, there will be services lasting about two hours sharing revelations from the Bible from Genesis to Revelation with music and incense.

Sanders says that services are open to anyone, believer and nonbeliever alike. St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, located at 589 W. Grand Ave., will hold Easter Sunday masses at 8 and 10 a.m. in English and 12:30 p.m. in Spanish.

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