Pastor Mark Inglot welcomed his congregation on Easter Sunday by encouraging those in attendance to focus on the holy holiday instead of daily worries.
“Even though we’re believers, we have some fears. We worry about the economy, war, … elections,” he said during Mass. “(But) we become a part of this remarkable story when death comes to life … (and) bad turns to good.
The holiday, which Christians celebrate as the resurrection of Jesus Christ, served as the centerpiece for the day’s services at St. John Church and Student Center, 327 M.A.C. Ave.
Hundreds of area residents attended three morning services Sunday at the church, and the sanctuary’s pews were filled with people, forcing some to watch the service outside the main area of the building.
The standing room only crowd did not seem to mind standing. Instead, many joined hands to greet each other or sing along with the choir.
“I thought it was impressive,” second-year medical student Kristen Eichorn said. “We’ve come a few years in the past, and it seems like it’s always very crowded. This is the first time we’ve ever had a seat.”
Eichorn said it sometimes is difficult to find time to make it to church on the weekends, but the Easter holiday gave her added reason to make the service.
Inglot said the church is not only bricks and walls — it is composed of the people who attend. And Operations Assistant Colleen Tinsey said the 10 a.m. Mass was expected to be the largest during
the Easter holiday.
“The church is the people of God,” Inglot said, adding people from all walks of life are welcome.
Inglot reminded his parishioners during Mass that it can be difficult to be a 21st century-Christian with so many available distractions, but they should take the day to mark the resurrection of Jesus.
Derek Vinkovich, an MSU alumnus and second-year dental student at the University of Michigan, was at the service and said he has attended Easter Mass since he was younger.
“It’s kind of like a nice experience to remind you of being with your family,” he said. “Usually, we would travel and go to a new parish every time.”
Being Catholic, Vinkovich said he wishes he could participate more in the church, but school sometimes gets in the way and it is difficult to find time.
“It’s something I would like to do more often, but I don’t always get the chance to do so,” he said, noting studying takes a large chunk of his time. “I hate to make it as simple as that, but that’s what it is.”
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