Easter sparks hope for world peace for local Christians

Local Christians celebrated this weekend by reflecting on Pope Francis’s Easter message, which called for world peace.

“Our belief is very much in the line of peace,” said Jon Abbey, who attended Easter Sunday mass at Community of Christ Church. “We believe that we’re called to a purpose of bringing peace to the world. That’s the reason that Christ came to earth – to show us peace and to show that each of us should model our lives after that.”
Pope Francis made his plea for peace and dialogue in conflicted areas of the world such as Syria and Ukraine during Easter Sunday mass celebrated at an altar set up on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Jen Lenhart leads the congregation through song during Easter mass at Heritage Park Alliance Church on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014. (DAX MELMER/The Windsor Star)

Pope Francis addressed a crowd of more than 150,000 people. He also urged people to pay attention to the hungry and needy closest to home.

“I think we should be more aware of what’s going on around us and more aware of other people and do our best to help those that need help,” said Nan Ghiloni, who attended Easter Sunday mass at St. Alphonsus Church.
Easter Sunday marks Christianity’s most hopeful day and the belief that Jesus rose from the dead after his crucifixion. More than one billion Christians worldwide celebrate Easter each year.

Ray Jones, the associate pastor of Heritage Park Alliance, got emotional before mass began Sunday as he talked about the sacrifice Jesus made by dying on the cross.

“Easter weekend is the climax of all of history because of what Christ did for us,” said Jones. “It’s a celebration of life, and while we have a world that’s in chaos and in trouble and we all have our difficulties, God affirms and gives life.”

Before celebrating mass at St. Alphonsus, Rev. Nicolas Mauro Iko said Pope Francis leads by example, and his hopeful message of peace and equality shines through in the way he lives a life of humility – living in a guesthouse on the Vatican grounds rather than an ornate apostolic palace, and choosing to drive in regular cars over limousines.

“He teaches us that we should be relating to one another as brothers and sisters created by God,”

said Mauro Iko. “He talks about why we-as human beings-should not be hating one another, but rather we should be looking forward and living in harmony with one another.”

Mauro Iko said Easter is a reminder to be appreciative of life, and a time to self-reflect and give renewal to our lives.

Ghiloni said she was looking forward to getting together with family and friends to celebrate Easter following mass Sunday. She said the universal message of renewal, hope and love is something that can be understood by all.
“It doesn’t matter what your religion is or where you’re from or what you’re nationality is, Easter is a time for people to get together and rejoice,” said Ghiloni.