Dear brother Priests, Religious, and Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith:

 

I wish you all a blessed Easter season!! I also take this opportunity to thank you for your faith and support always, and for the generous way that to give of yourselves in service to Jesus Christ and God’s beloved people of our Diocese.

As many of you know, I have just returned from the Ad Limina visit with Pope Francis, and I am still very much reflecting on the time there. I think what is most striking for me is the enthusiasm and hope that Pope Francis has for the church in the world at this time. It’s almost as if for him – the greater the challenges, the more we can rely on the grace and life of the Holy Spirit to do great things in the lives of those who hope in Him. Pope Francis also exhorted us to always stay close to God’s people.

Thus, I pray that we are all close to the people of our diocese as we prepare for the Holy Week and Easter Triduum. As we prepare to celebrate yet another Easter season, let us join together Our Lord Jesus Christ, and be close to Him as we recall what He has done for us - His passion, death, and rising enables and emboldens us to celebrate with one another the most wondrous and redemptive event the world has ever known.

A blessed and joy-filled Easter to you all!

May God bless you All. Have a hope-filled Easter season. MAHSI CHO!

Sincerely in Christ,

Bishop Mark Hagemoen