Dear friends in Christ, Alleluia!! He has Risen! His Resurrection destroyed death and opened the gates of Heaven for all who believe! Throughout Lent, we have walked with Jesus on His journey into his Passion and Death on the Cross. Now, we celebrate His Resurrection and His gift of Hope. Our life in Christ is a journey of hope. Andy Dufresne, in the movie “The Shawshank Redemption,” wrote, “[in a letter to Red] Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” Jesus is Hope. He is the best thing that could happen to us. And Jesus is with us! Yesterday, today and forever. Our Easter Vigil is a perfect reminder of this Hope Jesus brings to our lives. Light. Jesus is the light of the world. We have hope that even in the most challenging and darkest days of our lives, Jesus will transform our suffering into a joyful dance. Psalm 23:3-4 reminds us, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake”. Jesus is our Hope for better days to come. Water. Jesus, just like the water, is the font of life. Through the Waters of Baptism, we have been cleansed from our original sins and have become children of God. On our Baptismal day, we also received the Holy Spirit. Jesus has given us hope that we can be made new in Him and through Him. Life. Alleluia, He is risen!! Jesus has conquered death. Easter Season is the time to see the Risen Jesus and understand His profound love for us. He has not abandoned us. He is alive and with us. “I am with you until the end of times” Mt. 28,20. Attending Mass and receiving Him in the Eucharist is the best way to remain in Christ and to be filled with His life. Happy Easter, and remember, Jesus lives! Jesus is our source of hope. Jesus is with us yesterday, today and forever. Alleluia! May Jesus, the Light of the world, bring life and hope to each of us. Blessings, Veronica