Easter is a joyful season

By Laura Ortega

Your correspondent in Greater Ashburn

4214 W. 82nd Place • (773) 627-6679

Ladies and gentlemen, Easter is around the corner.

What is Easter? Easter is a holiday that celebrates the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. After his crucifixion, death, and burial, three days later, he arose from the grave. In doing so, he conquered death and redeemed us from sin, if we believe in Him.

I’m looking forward to reading during the 8 p.m. Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday, April 16 at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 83^rd and Kostner. Please stop by and say hello.

I love this time of year. There is nothing like the smell of spring in the air. I enjoy listening to the birds, hearing their excitement that another season has dawned. They’re busy finding a mate, building nests, and laying eggs.

There is so much life emerging all around us, including my tulips and daffodils, which have started sprouting. I really enjoy gardening and can’t wait to head to a local nursery to select my flowers that will bloom until the end of summer.

I want to wish a most wonderful 36th birthday to Abraham Toro on April 2, Angello Gonzalez (who turns 11) on April 3, his sister Ashley Gonzalez (who turns 14) on April 10, and Gaby Escalante (who turns 23) on April 18.

Ashburn Baptist Church, 3647 W. 83^rd St., would like you to celebrate Easter with them on April 17 at 10 a.m. After the service, there will be an Easter egg hunt, a family photo booth and Easter treats.

The Wrightwood-Ashburn Branch Library, 8530 S. Kedzie, hosts Family Game Time from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sundays. This is a great way to learn how to win and lose with grace – not to mention the value of spending quality time with loved ones.

The Bogan High School Class of 1976 is holding a reunion at 7 p.m. Friday, April 29 at Georgios Banquets, 8800 W. 159th St. Only a small number of tickets remain at $65. Tickets at the door will be $85. If you are a member of the class and wish to purchase tickets or for more information, go to the Unofficial Bogan Reunion Facebook page.

Looking for a great find or want to start your spring cleaning? Then head over to St. Bede’s Flea Market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2 at 83^rd and Kostner. The flea market will run the first Saturday of the month until November (except in May due to First Communions). Vendor pays $10 per space, bring your own tables, vendors may not sell food. Call the rectory at (773) 884-2000 or email [email protected]

The following events are for 18th Ward residents only. For more information, please call Ald. Derrick Curtis’s office at (773) 284-5057 or visit derrickgcurtis.com/events.

• An Easter egg hunt is set for noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 9 at Rainey Park, 4350 W. 79th St. There will be games, snacks, and an Easter basket giveaway.
• Come and celebrate Earth Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 14 in the north parking lot of 8329 S. Pulaski. Sponsors may include Lowe’s, ComEd, Peoples Gas, ITI Intermodal, Oak Street Health, the Chicago Department of Streets & Sanitation, United Fidelity Bank and more.
• A paper shredding and electronics recycling event is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 7 at the parking lot of Oak Street Health, 3348 W. 87th St.
• A pet health-fair is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 25 in the north parking lot at 8359 S. Pulaski. Staff from Chicago Animal Care & Control will be on hand with 100 free vaccines (rabies, FVRP, DA2PPL). There also will be free microchipping, ID tags, pet food & supplies. Sign up to receive a “curb your dog” lawn sign.

If you have any news you’d like to see in this column, please call me or send an email to [email protected]

All this writing makes me hungry; I think I’ll head over to Taco Sabroso, 8346 S. Pulaski, for some chorizo tacos topped with cilantro, onion, and green salsa… hmmm hmm delicious! Readers, it’s been fun, I wish you and your loved ones a joyful April month.

“On the Day of Judgement, we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done; not how eloquently we have spoken, but how holy our lives have been.” – Thomas à Kempis