An Easter Message of HOPE

The Catholic Church is in the midst of the Easter Season, which begins Easter Sunday and runs through Pentecost. This season is a time of profound HOPE, a reminder that divine love is stronger than suffering and that renewal and redemption are possible. Hope is not just a feeling; it is what sustains people through hardship and keeps them moving forward.

The importance of HOPE can be easy to overlook when our lives are comfortable and our needs are met. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for many people in developing countries like Nicaragua. When families lack reliable access to food, healthcare, housing, and stable work, hope is not inspirational — Faith and the HOPE that comes from it are key to their survival. Faith sustains that HOPE, giving people the strength to face another day and the conviction that their dignity is not determined by their circumstances, but rather simply by being created in the image and likeness of God.

I am a Catholic Deacon — a vocation that was awakened through my experiences on mission trips with the North Country Mission of Hope. Serving with the Nicaraguan people made the importance of both Faith and HOPE real and personal. I witnessed firsthand that hope is not a luxury for these families — it is something they depend on each day, and their resilience, born of deep faith, changed me. It is why I remain committed to this work.

Your prayers and financial support make a real difference to the people we serve. Your prayers remind them they are not forgotten. Your donations provide tangible help — food, medicine, health care, shelter, and education — to families who have very little. We continue to face challenges in Nicaragua as a result of political changes that have unfolded over the last several years, and we are carefully evaluating how best to continue serving in this environment. But those challenges do not diminish what has already been given. The impact of your generosity — the programs provided, the lives touched, the HOPE sustained — is real and lasting. No political change or hardship can take that away.  

What’s New at the Mission of Hope

Have you received your 2026 Mission of Hope brochure? This year’s edition shares an update on what we did in 2025 and offers a beautiful reflection by Sr. Debbie on the life and legacy of Sr. Steph. If you did not receive one, please send me an email at jpcarlin1963@gmail.com, and I will send you a digital copy or a hard copy via USPS.

Thank you to all those who sponsored students through our 2025-2026 Education Program and our Orphans Hope appeal. Education is one of the most enduring gifts we can offer, and your generous support will have a lasting impact on each student these programs reach — opening doors that would otherwise remain closed.

The North Country Mission of Hope is excited to announce the 4th annual mission experience in the Appalachian region of Kentucky

This trip is a remarkable opportunity for adults and students alike to step outside the routine of daily life and discover the profound rewards of serving others. Participants consistently return home with a renewed sense of purpose, a deeper faith, and connections forged through shared service that last long after the trip ends. As I can personally attest, the experience of giving your time and talents to those in need has a way of changing you — often far more than you expect.

This year's trip runs from July 25 to 31 and is open to anyone 14 years of age or older — making it a wonderful opportunity for students, parents, and grandparents to share together. No special skills are required, only an open heart and a willingness to serve. The work centers on providing critical upgrades to homes damaged by poverty or natural disasters, or in need of modification due to medical necessity. The total cost ranges from $700 to $800 and covers all mission-related expenses. For more information or an application, please contact Deacon James at 518-593-9718 or jpcarlin1963@gmail.com. We would love to have you join us!