April 8, 2020

President’s 2020 Easter Message

During this holiest week of what is without doubt a year of unprecedented circumstances, we are preparing for Easter with a profound understanding of what that means from the perspective of our Catholic faith. As fears grow around the impact of the current pandemic on daily routines, livelihoods, and the health of our loved ones, it is so important to stay rooted in our knowledge that we are an Easter people–we know that the power of faith transforms even death.

As I thought about how to tie in this message with our roles as Catholic trustees, I looked to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Easter address by His Excellency, Archbishop Gagnon. In that address Archbishop Gagnon recalls the fear and joy felt by Mary and Mary Magdalene when they encountered Jesus at the empty tomb and heard the words our Saviour left with them.

“Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:10).

There is much fear in our province today, but there is also reason for joy because we know that Christ is with us always. That message that Jesus left us to go forth and proclaim the Gospel is our core calling as Catholic Trustees; we share that message in our actions and words. While we have the added challenge this year of not being able to join our families in gatherings and at Parishes to celebrate Easter, we can through prayer, through social media and through service to others in any way that we can, continue to Proclaim the Gospel that Christ is Risen!

We are Catholic school trustees today because of the discipleship of the Catholic trustees who preceded us and the discipleship demonstrated by each of you who have answered the call to serve. We continue to be guardians and stewards of a thriving Catholic school system that proclaims the Gospel in physical and virtual learning environments. Our province and our country benefits from the good work and the hope shared by our Catholic school students and staff, and for that I am so thankful.

I wish each of you and all your loved ones a happy and blessed Easter.

Beverley Eckensweiler
OCSTA President