March can be the malaria of the calendar inflicting bone chilling cold that causes late winter shivers, and unexpected, almost feverish heat. In a meteorological and chronological oddity, March 2016 arrived a day later than most years because of February’s leap day and now offers bits of hope for all.

Daylight saving time ensures that for the next six months we will be able to go to work or school, or come home, without both legs of the trip being in darkness. Midwesterners may be of hearty stock, but springing out of winter seems to be preferred to extending cabin fever by months, weeks or even days.

Individual and team sports emerge from hibernation. Baseball’s spring training gets into full swing with the next year that every fan of every team has awaited finally arrives. March Madness lures college basketball fans into celebrating or mourning the big upset, even if fans’ hopeful dreams become the reality that the tournaments mean every participating team but one ends the season on a losing note.

Hockey and basketball get ready for seemingly endless playoffs with energized passion in the stands.

St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day are among the first of the annual ethnic celebrations. Irrespective of individual heritages, for at least one day, marchers of all races and creeds pour into the streets for parades, feasts, green beer, red wine, and great music.

We see spirits come alive as playgrounds fill with children getting on the fields and climbing, swinging, and running in the parks. Ice retreats from the lakes and rivers and it’s safe and warm enough to try catching the big one from a boat or shore. Golfers pull the clubs from the basement. Businesses hold spring sales; gas prices go up as refineries re-blend for the warmer, more traveled months.

But first and foremost is Easter, the greatest season of faith and certainty.

We know that Christ is risen; we know His death was tragic but necessary; we know His rising proved for all of us and for all time that we are loved and saved. We know beyond belief that the message of hope is true.

Pope Francis’ call for this Year of Mercy also reminds us of our year-long liturgy of faith and our life-long hope. We are in awe of the Good Thief’s faith, and the mercy given by a suffering Christ. That dialog expresses concisely the corporal and spiritual works of mercy that Catholic Charities sees as our operating principles.

We have faith in the risen Christ offering mercy to His doubting but hopeful Apostles. We are blessed with the continued presence of a Savior who engenders faith, offers hope and dispenses mercy. Unlike long-suffering Cubs fans, we do not have to “wait ’til next year.” Instead, we celebrate victory over death now, and accept mercy with hope, and know that our faith is true.

Hope springs eternal, and mercy endures forever.

Happy Easter from your Catholic Charities.