Original song offers words of hope

After the first time Chrissy Jankowski led music for Mass in an empty church during the coronavirus lockdown, her sense of loss expressed itself musically.

“Something was missing, not having the people there,” she said. “I said that we needed to do something for the people, to let them know that, no matter where we celebrate, Jesus is still the same and we will be back here in church.”

The resulting song, “He is Risen,” has had more than 2,000 views on the Facebook page for Our Lady of the Angels Parish. She serves as music minister there and at Saint Maria Goretti in the Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, Garfield neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. Listen to the song here. 

The second verse and chorus say:
The stone’s been rolled away, so do not be afraid,
For Christ holds us each in his embrace.
We rejoice for he has won; soon, too, our time will come.
We’ll unite again and our God will reign.
We’ll stand hand in hand in this holy place!
 
No matter where we celebrate on this Easter morning,
Jesus is risen just the same.
In a church or living room, every promise still holds true.
He’s risen for me and you.
 
When she sent the song to the priest-administrator, Brother John Harvey immediately wanted to use it at the Easter Masses. He also included it in the grouping e-mail and posted it to Facebook.

Jankowski had previously written a song for the grouping, “Let Us Build a Church,” which had touched many people, Brother John said.

“Chrissy is a great blessing to our . . . parishes,” he said. “I was definitely moved by the power of the message at this time of Easter, when we are all saddened by the closed churches.”
The refrain reminds everyone that “Jesus is truly Risen and his presence is with us wherever we are,” he said.

Jankowski, in turn, has been moved by the response.

“I’m humbled to say that there has been a ton of feedback from people I’ve never heard of,” she said. “Many people said it gave them a sense of peace. I’m glad that many people have been comforted by it.”

She hasn’t decided whether to formally publish the song.

“I’m just happy that it serves the people where I am right now,” she said.
 
Read the full lyrics to "Jesus is Risen":
 
In uncertain times, in darkness we seek light;
We turn to Christ who knows all our fears.
He felt sadness at the grave; on the hill he felt great pain;
But he felt triumph Easter Day
And the promise of our God will never change.
 
No matter where we celebrate on this Easter morning,
Jesus is risen just the same.
In a church or living room, every promise still holds true.
He’s risen for me and you.
 
The stone’s been rolled away, so do not be afraid,
For Christ holds us each in his embrace.
We rejoice for he has won; soon, too, our time will come.
We’ll unite again and our God will reign.
We’ll stand hand in hand in this holy place!
 
No matter where we celebrate on this Easter morning,
Jesus is risen just the same.
In a church or living room, every promise still holds true.
He’s risen for me and you.
 
Jesus is risen! Jesus is Risen!
Alleluia!