‘The great gift of Easter is Hope’

Cardinal Basil Hume

The Lenten journey has now reached its climax with the arrival of Holy Week and the Easter season. Cardinal Basil Hume once said, ‘The great gift of Easter is Hope’.

Throughout Lent our young people in our archdiocesan schools and colleges have been building up to Easter with their prayers and actions through Lent. They have prayed together, meditated on the Word of God, and taken part in fasting and almsgiving. My thanks to all the leaders and teachers who have helped the children plan and lead these activities.

Sadly, throughout Lent there have been tragedies such as the terrible earthquake in Turkey and many families of children in our schools are experiencing poverty. There seems to be more disruption and division in our society. Displaced strangers from other lands are not welcome by some.

In our schools and colleges, see great examples of hope for our world. see young people of all backgrounds working together to build a better society inspired by the teachings of Christ. If you are fortunate to visit our schools and colleges you will see messages about loving each other, being kind and taking the time to truly listen to one another. Our young people are praying and working for a better and compassionate world. If you have access to social media, please follow some of our schools and colleges and witness this for yourselves.

The followers of Jesus thought all was lost on Good Friday. Their hopes and dreams had been destroyed by an act of great violence, hatred and barbarism. It appeared that there was no hope left. On Easter Sunday Jesus rose from the dead and brought eternal life to his followers.

There is always hope. Pope Francis said in a homily to the people of Naples ‘don’t let anyone steal your hope’. Our schools and colleges are witness to Hope. We should rejoice.

I wish you and your families a happy and joyous Easter. He is risen.

Alleluia

Joan McCarthy Director of Education Archdiocese of Liverpool