Published on March 23, 2016
The Easter season, and with it the springtime, is a time of renewal and rebirth. It is God’s gift of the virtue of hope that allows for this revival. After the death of her son, Mary held hope in her heart during the darkest hours of her life. From Friday afternoon until His resurrection Sunday morning, she stayed faithful. It is this hope that renewed everything.
When you support Catholic Charities, you are not only providing help to the most vulnerable of our community, but also creating hope. Keynote speaker at Catholic Charities USA’s annual gathering, Dr. Shane Lopez, one of the world’s leading researchers on the power of hope, defined hope during his presentation as, “belief that the future will be better than the present combined with belief that you have some power to make it so.” Catholic Charities’ mission not only includes providing life-giving programs as Jesus taught us to do but empowering the poor and vulnerable. The foster child learning skills to live independently receives needed tangible goods as well as the confidence to make it through future obstacles. The mother and family utilizing Catholic Charities’ Homeless Services are provided an immediate place to stay along with participation in the creation of a plan for future self-sufficiency. This gift of hope is just as important as the help provided. As Pope Francis said, those who possess the virtue of hope have the freedom and strength to see beyond bad times, hope allows us to “see the beauty of God.”
As Catholic Charities ministers to those affected by the recent tornadoes, many of whom also suffered losses in the recent Hurricane Isaac, the spirit of hope is resoundingly clear. People who lost their homes and belongings repeatedly express gratitude for the assistance and thankfulness for the blessing of making it through the disaster unharmed. It is hope in the risen Lord that sustains a community in times like these and hope in each other, which you help provide through organizations such as Catholic Charities, that keeps us going.
I wish you and your loved ones a blessed and peaceful Easter holiday.
Sr. Marjorie A. Hebert, M.S.C.
President & CEO