Flagstaff Catholics celebrate Easter at sunrise Mass

By Catherine E. Hanley
The Catholic Sun

FLAGSTAFF — Catholics from across the country gathered at Holy Trinity Newman Center and signed themselves with the cross as morning broke with the slow rising sun Easter Sunday.

Fr. Patrick Mowerer, pastor of San Francisco de Asís Parish, gathered with 175 people at the edge of Northern Arizona University campus April 16.

“Having the Mass here on campus is a great opportunity for parishioners, students, guests and visitors to pray and interact with each other in the spacious outdoor environment present within our parish,” said Michael Vollmer, director of the Newman Center.

Vollmer said the students help plan the Mass and noticed increased attendance this year. He hopes that the Easter sunrise Mass becomes a tradition on campus.

Mark Long, who was visiting from New York, said the spiritual preparation during Lent helps him create new beginnings.

“Mass on Easter Sunday is a life changing experience for me,” he said. “It isn’t so much that I give things up but it’s the new things I take on that helps me grow in my faith.”

Long said he and his family often come across people in need.

“Some have basic needs, others are ill or incapacitated, and others are impoverished or have recently lost their job. While it is not possible to help everyone, we listen, observe, and do what we can to help — nothing great,” he said.

“But when Lent is over, what we have learned has become a part of us. We suddenly realize we have become more aware of the needs of others and are more sensitive to their situation,” Long said.

“And then we realize that we have developed a new habit that hopefully will continue to grow within us,” he added.

Others also experienced change in their lives in a deeply spiritual sense. Barbara Nabours, director of Adult Formation/RCIA at San Francisco de Asís, noted the four newly baptized and 52 new adult members who were received into the Church during the Easter Vigil held at St. Pius Chapel.

Another ministry also experienced change. Well known for its year round distribution of food boxes, William Packard, vice president of Flagstaff’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul San Francisco de Asís Conference, said this was the first year the group collected hams and other traditional Easter items for special distribution on Good Friday — a day of profound prayer and giving.

Students at St. Mary’s Elementary School creatively decorated 100 seasonal boxes so that each one was different for each family.