The Catholic bishop who oversees the work of evangelisation in England and Wales is inviting the use of new media to share the Easter message.
Rt Rev Kieran Conry (Arundel and Brighton), Chair of the Bishops’ Department for Evangelisation and Catechesis, said:
“The celebration of Easter, especially the Easter Vigil, is the most wonderful and amazing event in the Christian calendar, bringing hope and joy to everyone. But if the Easter message is to be received, then it must be proclaimed. Where best to start doing that proclaiming than on the digital continent – online, using social media, email and mobile devices. This is where nearly everyone is spending an increasing amount of their work and leisure time.”
A selection of resources is available on the Bishops’ Conference website to assist responding to Bishop Conry’s invitation. Collated by the Bishops’ Home Mission Desk, the resources include: an image of the Easter Vigil for download to use on a variety of digital platforms, information about the Vigil, sample text to SMS or tweet, links to Easter-themed podcasts to forward to family and friends, as well as information about complementary outreach posters that are being distributed to parishes by the Knights of St Columba.
Ron Lynch, Supreme Knight, said:
“We’re delighted to be partnering with the Bishops’ Conference to help encourage evangelisation during Holy Week and Eastertide. Our posters are used by thousands of people all over England and Wales and there is still time to order yours if you’ve not already done so.”
For Christians, the week preceding Easter (called Holy Week) and the Easter weekend itself, are the most dramatic, wonderful and amazingtimes in the Christian calendar. Over a billion people worldwide will recall the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who once and for all conquered sin and death, to bring everyone who chooses it, new life, unconditional love, peace, joy and forgiveness.
Bishop Conry added:
“During the Year of Faith please do use the materials that are on offer and pray about who to send them to and when. Many people lack joy in their lives and your courageous Easter gestures could make all the difference in the world to them.”
Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday (24 March), with Easter Sunday celebrated on 31 March. Everyone is very welcome to participate in the Holy Week and Easter services. Please feel free to contact your local Catholic church to source the service times.
catholicnews.org.uk/comeandsee
Knights of St Columba Easter Poster
holyweekposters.co.uk
Knights of St Columba
ksc.org.uk
Catholic Faith
catholicfaith.org.uk
Year of Faith
The Year of Faith was opened by Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI on 11 November 2012 and will close on 24 November 2013.
