An Easter Message from National President Betty Colaneri
“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).
God filled the earth that first Easter morning with real hope, joy and so much love that our hearts still rejoice today.
Each Holy Week, we walk with Him, in the washing of the feet, the breaking of the bread, weep with His anguish in the garden and at the foot of the cross. Do our hearts not burn as we share in His Passion?
Yet we rejoice because we know of His victory over death. He is risen!
One of my favourite songs by Marty Haugen, “We Remember,” resonates so deeply during the Easter season.
“We remember how you loved us to your death, and still we celebrate, for you are with us here; and we believe that we will see you when you come in your glory, Lord. We remember, we celebrate, we believe.”
Who we are and what we believe are rooted in Easter, the most important event of our faith. When I first heard these words proclaimed by Saint Pope John Paul II during his Sunday Angelus on November 30, 1986, during his papal trip to Australia, they spoke deeply to my heart and have remained with me ever since. They beautifully capture who we are and what we believe.
“We do not pretend that life is all beauty. We are aware of darkness and sin, of poverty and pain. But we know Jesus has conquered sin and passed through his own pain to the glory of the Resurrection. And we live in the light of his Paschal Mystery—the mystery of his Death and Resurrection. ‘We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!’”
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Christ is Risen! Alleluia! May you feel Christ’s love in your heart and be filled with His peace and Joy this Easter season and always!
Wishing that you and all those you love a truly blessed and Holy Easter. “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
Your sister in Christ,
Betty Colaneri
National President
