The Diocese of Gaylord marked the beginning of the Easter season, which lasts until Pentecost, by asking parishioners to proclaim the good news of Jesus’ resurrection.

“He is risen, alleluia!” the diocese posted online. “As we rise this morning, let us join in joyful song of celebration and proclaim the good news to everyone we meet!"

The Easter season is considered to be the most important season of the liturgical calendar. It spans 50 days, from Easter Sunday until Pentecost, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). 

The USCCB explains that the word Easter comes from Old English and means "East." The word is used to describe the season because the sun rises in the east, lighting the world with warmth and hope, and the resurrected Christ is the Light of the world. 

About seven weeks after Jesus' resurrection, and around 10 days after his ascension into heaven, Jesus' followers gathered inside of a room. They noticed a sudden sound, according to Christianity.com, that was described as sounding like a gust of wind rushed into the room. 

Tongues of fire appeared over the heads of Jesus' followers, according to christianity.com, filling them with the Holy Spirit. They began to speak in tongues. When a crowd gathered around them, everyone in the crowd could hear Jesus' followers speaking in his native language. When Peter preached to the crowd that day about Jesus, 3,000 people converted to Christianity, Christianity.com says. 

The Ascension of the Lord will be celebrated on May 29. The USCCB says the Gospel reading for the day describes Jesus leading his disciples outside of Jerusalem, where he blessed them before "he parted from them and was taken up to heaven." His disciples returned to the city and continued praising God in the temple.