The Hands and Feet of Christ

SMS Fourth Graders Present Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection During Holy Week, 2026

He is Risen! Alleluia! In the 50 days after Easter, until Pentecost and the descent of the Holy Spirit, we are immersed in the Easter Season, a time of great joy, hope, and promise.

This past weekend the church celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday, a relatively new Feast Day established by Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2000, and is recognized every year on the octave after Easter. This feast reminds us that when we are overwhelmed by the anger, vitriol, and pressures of the world, and we are overcome by the difficulties we face in our lives, we can rely on our Risen Christ to embrace us and shower us with His Mercy. The concept of the Divine Mercy actually took root well over a century ago when Christ appeared to a Polish child, Helena Kowalska (who later became Saint Faustina Kowalska), who experienced many mystical visions of Him throughout her life. Christ ultimately called on her to share the message of divine mercy to the world, and to encourage us to be the hands and feet of Christ to others in our midst.

Teaching a child skills in academics, sports, or fine arts is relatively straight-forward. There are unlimited resources and pedagogical tools at our disposal to help children learn, grow, and achieve success. Teaching emotional intelligence (empathy, compassion, and patience, for example) is much more difficult. At school, we introduce our students to Christ’s goodness through scripture, prayer, liturgy (Mass), and para-liturgical celebrations, such as our Holy Week activities. It is sometimes difficult to connect religious teachings to everyday life, however, so I believe one of the best ways to ensure our children become the hands and feet of Christ to others is by modeling what empathy, compassion, and patience looks like, and by encouraging friendships with other children and adults who demonstrate these traits. I’m sure each of us can recall people we have met who exude goodness, not necessarily because of their Church attendance, but by their actions and genuine care of other human beings.

At some point in our lives everyone will need to rely on others for help, and in those moments, we will be most grateful for the kindness and compassion extended toward us. As teachers, parents, and grandparents, it is vital that we help our children develop not only academically and physically, but also spiritually and emotionally. This starts by being kind and respectful at home with siblings and family members, and at school or on sports teams with friends, faculty, and other adults. We then extend this to the larger community by engaging in acts of service, learning and understanding the hardships and struggles of others in the world, and finally by appreciating all the gifts we have been so graciously given. We are especially grateful for the Divine Mercy of Christ. Throughout this glorious Easter Season, let us all work toward extending mercy to one another as well.

Deo Gratias, Kathy