Easter Message from the Bishop

The message of Easter – the Resurrection of Jesus – takes us beyond the Cross to the joy and hope that comes from seeing the Risen Lord. It was Christ risen who allowed his disciples to fully know that God exists, that there is a future for every human being and that our cry for unending life is indeed answered in Him. This is the true message of Easter!
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In this past year with the ongoing restrictions of the pandemic we have been intensely united with Jesus, in His passion, the carrying of the Cross, and the obedient acceptance of the Father’s will in sacrificial love for others. God has truly inspired many of us in faith to act with this same love, patient suffering, endurance and courage in the face of despair and in offering a hope which has been inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is such acts of love that restores human dignity for those who have been burdened by this pandemic, by the death of loved ones, the loss of employment and the limitations that were placed on normal human interactions of education, leisure, physical exercise and community gatherings. Christians and indeed everyone have been called to respond with compassion, solidarity and in caring for those who are suffering and most vulnerable. This is a true sign of hope, of Easter faith which caused the disciples not to proclaim the tragedy of Jesus death but rather the sharing of his resurrection, the promise of eternal life, of joy and confidence in the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus revealed himself to the disciples in tangible ways especially in the anticipation of His suffering and death. In the enduring gift of His Presence “in the breaking of the bread” – the Eucharist, we come to know in faith that our suffering and death can be united with Christ and have deeper meaning when offered to God.

He also commissioned Mary Magdalene after his resurrection as the “apostle (the one sent) to the apostles”, to bring this good news of hope, the promise of new life to the world. He invites us like Mary to enter the tomb, to enter into the mystery of how God transforms our experience of despair through a vigil of love into a promise of hope. To enter into mystery means the ability to wonder, to contemplate; the ability to listen to the silence and to hear the tiny whisper amid great silence by which God speaks to us (cf. 1Kings 19:12). Like Mary we need humility to enter into this mystery especially during this “silence” created by the pandemic. To know with confidence that our search for truth, beauty and love in these challenging times will be fully revealed in the risen Christ. May our witness of this sacred mystery revealed in the dignity of each human person, silence the deafening call for expanding euthanasia and assisted suicide in our country of Canada and to acknowledge that this pandemic continues to burden the most vulnerable in our society.   

Easter calls us to promote with renewed vigor the sanctity of human life with grateful and joyful hearts. Easter calls us to move beyond the tomb with the conviction to share the good news of the Resurrection with one another. Easter calls us to courageously follow Jesus Christ, the risen one, and to boldly proclaim that out of darkness and suffering comes new life. This Easter let us rise up to meet the world our society and with the witness of our faith. It is my hope that in this coming year we discover new ways to share this Easter faith, the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection. 
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A blessed Easter Season to you and your family.

​Sincerely yours in Christ,

+ Most Reverend William T. McGrattan 
Bishop of Calgary

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Written by Most Rev. William T. McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary
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April 3, 2021