By HAROLD KELLER

It seems as people get older, the more they reminisce. I’m 67 years old, and the other day, I started to think about this Sunday being Easter. My thoughts went back to how Easter Sunday was as a youngster growing up in Reserve, a 99 percent Catholic community.

Lent was different. It seemed that most of the people took it more seriously. Easter Week, or Holy Week, was full of church activities. On Holy Thursday, people volunteered to stay in church at different times around the clock to pray and reflect. Good Friday was a day everything was closed. Services started at noon and lasted three full hours. The church was packed, and the reflection on the death of Jesus seemed to be more solemn. I think back now and, without a doubt, know that people had more of an appreciation for what Jesus did at the Cross.

I realize that Reserve was a very small place, and the St. Peter church family seemed to be more intimate. What made it nice was that we didnt have as many distractions – not as much entertainment. People had morals, and the family unit was intact. Divorce and teen-age pregnancies were unheard of.

The whole community geared up for Easter Sunday. As I reflect back, I remember that there was a 5 a.m. Mass for men only (that’s right, only men). I think the reason for that was become some men went to church only once a year, and this way they might not be too embarrassed.

The Catholic tradition of confession was practiced more on the Saturday before Easter than at any other time. People would stand in line for an hour or more to go to confession. Why so much activity on Easter Sunday? In those days, confession and communion during the Lenten period was called your “Easter duties.” Almost everyone wanted to complete this ritual, because if you didn’t and died during the following year, your body could not be placed in the church. In other words, these people were not entitled to a church service before burial.

When I was about 13 years old, I was allowed to attend the 5 a.m. “men only” Mass on Easter Sunday. I really thought I had arrived! I never saw so many men in a church before or since.

Now the big day, Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of Christ! What a celebration! In those days, it was required for the ladies to have their heads covered. Try to imagine the different styles of Easter bonnets that were worn. It was something to see what everyone called their Easter outfit. (It could have been called an Easter parade.) Little boys and girls dressed up, the majority with white shoes. At that time, to wear white shoes before Easter Sunday was unheard of. I can still remember the excitement my children had when shopping for their Easter outfits. We went to church as a family and paraded down the aisle. I have to admit that we sometimes got so caught up in the tradition we almost forgot the real celebration.

Thanks for allowing me to reflect on some really good years.

I pray that this Sunday, as we celebrate at church with family and friends, that we concentrate on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who paid the price for our salvation. Salvation is free, but not cheap. Jesus paid the ultimate price for it, and it’s available to all. But we must make a decision to claim our gift of eternal life. We must repent (change from our sin nature) and allow Jesus to be the Lord of our lives.

Happy Easter!

HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group. Call him at (985) 652-8477.