FrancisCorps, based in Syracuse, N.Y., has been awarded a $2,000 grant from “CNY Tuesday’s” in Syracuse, N.Y., for motivating young people to serve others. Founded in 1998, on average, 10 volunteers provide 380 hours to approximately 1,200 men, women and children, each week of service. FrancisCorps is an official ministry of the Conventual Franciscan Friars.

As we prepare for Earth Day (Sat., Apr. 22), we reflect on God’s vision for an abundant life. How do the teachings of Jesus and of the Catholic Church lead us to a deeper unstanding of how we can live more simply?

On behalf of the Friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, I wish you a very joyful blessed Easter. I think it was St. Augustine who coined the phrase, “We are Easter people and Hallelujah is our song. Our prayer for you is that hallelujah will be on your lips every day. But we know that sometimes we live like Good Friday, that our lives are difficult, but we always have to remember that Jesus’ journey did not end on calvary but was celebrated in the Garden of the Resurrection. The tomb is empty, but no longer our hearts need to be empty for Jesus risen from the dead remains among us. As we renew our baptism through these Easter waters, may God continue to shower his love upon us as he continues to promise to be with us always until the end of time.