Hey everybody and welcome to the You Were Born for this podcast with Father John Riccardo.

That's me, Father John, host and executive director of Acts 29, where we talk about anything and everything related to transforming parishes.

And on this Easter Monday, as always, I'm joined with my co-host, Nick and Mary, but we have a

very special guest. We got Dick and Steve, who's been in our conference room many times when we've

recorded in the past, but we've never actually given him a mic. But we're giving him a mic. Brother,

it's great to have you with us today. Great to be here. Thanks, Father John. Absolutely. Nick, what's the topic today that Deacon Steve's so eager to

join us on? Yeah, Easter. Jesus is risen. There is work to do. That's our topic today, Father,

John. And as always, will you open us in prayer? Indeed. So let's pray in the name of the Father

and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Father, we want to

thank you in the midst of all that's going on in the world right now and in our country

with this pandemic for the startling and spectacular truth that your son, Jesus, is risen

triumphantly from the dead, that he's conquered the power of the grave, that he's bound

the strong man, and that he's poured his spirit upon us and into us, so that we would continue

the work that he began on that Easter Sunday, namely the work of recreating this universe,

which you so dearly love. We thank you for creating us to be alive at this time,

in this moment in history.

We just ask your anointing upon us,

and especially to be with all those who are both suffering in this time,

as well as those heroic men and women who are putting themselves

on the front lines in countless ways, most especially

the doctors and the nurses and the first responders.

Lord, watch over them, honor them, protect them, let them know your good pleasure.

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