Congratulations to our children who receive their First Holy Communion this weekend. They have been preparing for two years for this day. Congratulations also to their parents and catechists who have brought them to this important step in their Christian initiation.

On Holy Saturday, the earthly lives of two young girls ended. Chloe Madigan, a second grade student at St. Joseph School, succumbed to inoperable brain cancer. Brittany Ann Sondrol, a fifth grader at St. Patrick School, Rodeo, died in an automobile accident. The death of a child leaves us with difficult emotions and questions. To the inevitable word "Why?" we have no real answer. We can only offer our condolences and prayers to the families and walk with them through the grief and loss.