Walk into any local Catholic church, whether in the heart of a bustling downtown or in the most remote areas and one might find empty pews and the majority of the congregation being seniors and Baby Boomers.

In giving her life to ushering people into a relationship with her son Jesus, Mary is the portrait of discipleship and motherhood, according to Father Mark Beard, pastor of St. Helena Church in Amite.

Lent is a time of sacrifice, of prayer and preparing to rejoice in the Lord’s resurrection.

As the Alleluia choruses ring out and church bells peal at the Easter Vigil and Sunday Masses you bound out of the church with reinvigorated energy and faith at the good news of Christ’s resurrection. All is brand new. 

Family welcomed into church