Where Bishop Olmsted of Phoenix spent part of Easter Sunday:

More than 20 young women attended Easter Mass with Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted March 23 in a small chapel at the Black Canyon School, a juvenile corrections facility in north Phoenix.

The bishop said he was honored to be with the young women, “who probably feel very keenly the absence of being near those whom they love.”

During his homily, he encouraged the girls to lift their hearts and minds to heavenly realities, rather than miring themselves in earthly worries.

“It’s very easy to think of what is on earth, to remember the things that people do to make us angry or vengeful,” the bishop said. “But St. Paul urges us to seek what is above.”

What is above is Christ’s risen body, the bishop explained. And Christ’s resurrection offers Christians hope and a future to strive for.

“In the risen Christ we have a future,” he said. “What we really long for is more than this life can give. That’s why the resurrection of Christ from the dead is the best of all the Good News. In fact, if this had not happened, it wouldn’t be Good News.”

The teenaged girls of Black Canyon School participated in the Mass by proclaiming the readings, offering the prayers of the faithful and bringing up the gifts to the altar.

Eva Berney, a Catholic lay volunteer, said having the bishop share his Easter with the girls meant a lot.

“It really brings something special to the young women that are here,” she said. “It tells them that God will meet them wherever they are and I think that’s really important for them to know, especially in their situation.”

For nearly two years, Berney has been leading Thursday night prayer services at the Black Canyon School with her husband Andy. In that time, the two have transformed what was originally a bare-walled, uncarpeted space into a proper chapel with artwork and pews.

“I think the fact that we consistently come out makes a difference,” Berney said. “They see us, they know us. It gives them some stability and makes them more open to the message we’re trying to bring them about God and how much He loves them.”

Church: The Body of Christ, present in the world, with many members, all necessary, working as one.

The Bishop, bringing Christ to these young women on the morning that other women, centuries ago, met Him in astonished joy.

The Berneys, a lay couple, faithfully present week after week, hopeful in the power of God, trusting that He would touch hearts.

These young women, hearts open, learning, praying…hoping.

Church.