By Bishop Donald Sproxton VG
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
As we gather in faith during this sacred season of Easter, we are called once again to stand with the truth at the very heart of our Christian hope: Christ is risen! Alleluia!
This is not merely a liturgical refrain, but the living reality that transforms our lives, our families and our fractured world.
In the midst of the joy of the Resurrection, we also live in times that test our courage and our faith. Many in our community in Perth and across Australia face the daily struggles of sickness, financial stress, and the rising cost of living.
Families wrestle with anxiety about how to make ends meet; some struggle with illness that weighs heavily on the spirit; others feel alone, overwhelmed or unsure of tomorrow.
These burdens are real, and as one of your Shepherds, I want you to know: I walk with you in them. Your pain is not unseen. Your longing for hope is shared by many.
Throughout salvation history, God has raised up women and men of bold faith at pivotal moments. Today I want to reflect briefly on Esther — a woman whose courageous “yes” changed the destiny of her people and continues to speak to us today.
Esther was a Jewish woman living in exile who rose to become queen in a foreign land. When her people faced annihilation, Esther was urged by her cousin Mordecai to act — to risk her life by approaching the king.
With deep faith she responded not with certainty, but with trust: “If I perish, I perish.” And through her courage, God’s providence brought deliverance.
Esther’s story reminds us that God often places us where we are “for such a time as this” — to bring His light into darkness, to be agents of hope in times of turmoil, and to choose faith over fear.
The world today feels unsettled in many ways. Considering the situation of unrest in Iran, and across the Middle East – such suffering touches the hearts of all who long for peace and the protection of human dignity.
It reminds us that the Resurrection calls us to pray without ceasing for peace, for justice, and for the safety of all peoples.
In our own communities, the challenges are different but no less real: many struggle with the rising cost of living, housing pressures, employment uncertainties and the emotional toll of illness or loss.
These burdens can make hope feel fragile — yet the Risen Christ calls us to persevere, to live with hope rooted not in circumstances, but in His victory over sin and death.
As Catholics, we are invited to respond to these challenges with hearts open to Christ’s compassion and mercy.
Our local Catholic agencies and organisations are here to walk with you. You can find them via www.perthcatholic.org.au and www.lifelink.com.au.
These agencies and organisations are more than services — they are expressions of Christ’s love in action. I encourage you, if you or someone you know is struggling, to reach out and receive support through these networks of care.
We have listened deeply to the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ passion, death and Resurrection.
We have stood with Mary at the foot of the Cross and rejoiced at the empty tomb. In doing so, we are reminded that Christ’s love touches every human experience — suffering and joy, fear and courage, loss and hope.
May this Easter bring a renewal of faith in your heart. May you experience the peace of the Risen Lord in your homes and communities.
And may the courage of Esther inspire each of us to bring Christ’s hope to a world in need.
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
With every Easter blessing,
+ Donald G Sproxton VG
Auxiliary Bishop of Perth