Spring is in the air! Everyone looks forward to this hopeful time of year when nature renews itself and we witness the final melting of winter and the opening of fresh blooms everywhere. For Catholics and Christians, the new life that spring unveils is especially profound because it coincides with Lent and the wondrous promise of Easter. The liturgical season of Lent is truly a beautiful gift of the church, giving us the time and the frame-work to look inward at ourselves, and outward toward the needs of others. Through prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we deepen our relationship with Christ and recommit ourselves to following his Gospel message in word and action. The liturgical season of Easter is also a gift, reminding us that Easter is not a one-day event, but rather a great rebirth and renewal that we celebrate for a full 50 days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost. Long after the Easter baskets are put away and the chocolate bunnies have been eaten, we Catholics are still celebrating the true joy of Easter — the Risen Christ. Every Sunday during the Easter Season, we confirm our commitment to follow Christ as we renew our baptismal vows and are sprinkled “anew” with holy water. So even though we may be happy to get back to our dessert, soda pop or whatever we have sacrificed during Lent, we are not meant to go back to our old, comfortable ways when it comes to our spiritual life. Our Lenten preparations are intended to reenergize our desire to live out our faith as people of the Resurrection. Lent is about conversion — a true change of heart. We are called to challenge ourselves to see things differently, to open ourselves to those around us, to better understand and accept Jesus’ message of humility and charity, and to be genuinely grateful for our food, our homes, our families and other things we may take for granted. Then, when Easter arrives, it is not simply an end to Lent, but rather a joyful new beginning. Although Lent has passed for this year, Catholic Charities created a reflective and interactive Lenten program that is available and apropos all year long. I invite you to visit www.catholiccharities.net/lent to explore “One Mission: Many Hearts, Many Hands”. You will find Scripture passages, prayers, videos, reflection questions and suggested volunteer opportunities. The goal of the program is to help the faithful understand and accept the challenges faced by those in poverty so that our hearts are opened and our hands are committed to carrying out the Gospel mission to care for those in need, not just during Lent, but all year long. I am deeply grateful for the volunteers who choose to serve God and neighbor through Catholic Charities, and I invite you to explore our many volunteer opportunities at www.volunteerbridge.com. Without volunteer help, Catholic Charities would not be able to assist the more than one million people who come to our doors throughout Cook and Lake Counties. As our volunteers well know, it is a truly honor to help the poor and vulnerable, for Jesus told us that “whatever you did for these least brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). During this Easter Season, I hope the beauti-ful rebirth of spring will be a constant reminder of our own personal renewed commitment to following Christ. And I hope that your Lenten journey this year has led you to consider becoming one of the “Many Hearts and Many Hands” who come together at Catholic Charities to carry out Jesus’ mission to serve those in need.