April 1, 2026 “Look! The sun’s rising!” My son, Jake, recently started his first job since finishing barber school. He’s cutting hair in Massena every Monday, Thursday and Friday. Jake has a learner’s permit, but he doesn’t yet have a driver’s license (we’re working on it). Luckily, Massena is on one of the routes I can take from my home in Franklin County to my office in Ogdensburg. So, I have a commute buddy. As we turned onto U.S. Route 11 from our little side street Monday morning, Jake made that comment about the sun being up. He had noted previously that he didn’t love leaving the house when it was still dark, so we were both excited to see the sun seconds after we left our driveway. Jake and I chatted a bit about how nice it is to see the end of winter’s long nights and short days approaching. “It makes me feel hopeful,” I told him. “I have hope that winter’s almost done. I have hope that better things are coming.” I think most of us feel that way this time of year. As the days get longer and we start to see signs of life where we recently saw mounds of snow, moods seem to improve. It seems easier to find joy when the world around us feels bright, vibrant and alive than it is when we’re surrounded by darkness and gray. It feels fitting that the sun started to illuminate our commute just as we’re preparing to celebrate Holy Week and Easter. While we spend time this week with sin and darkness as we journey through the Lord’s suffering and death, we do so knowing that the winter of death and darkness are temporary and knowing better things – the light of the Lord’s resurrection and life eternal – are coming. That’s the best reason for hope! We, the staff and contributors to the North Country Catholic, hope and pray you have a blessed Holy Week and joyous Easter. The Son is rising! |
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