On the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, our Wave of Hope reflection comes from Sister Maria Cecialia Sierra, a Comboni Missionary Sister working among Bedouin communities in the West Bank.

Reflecting on the Threads of Peace project through which Bedouin women gather to learn and support each other and which was recently presented with a Weavers of Hope Award from Caritas Internationalis, Sr Maria Cecilia says:

“This year, the thing that gave me the most hope was witnessing how Bedouin women continue to weave dignity and resilience into their lives, even in the harshness of the Judean Desert. Despite displacement, demolitions, and uncertainty, they rise, every day, reminding us that hope is not an idea but a practice. A thread chosen, a stitch made, a story shared.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

You can subscribe to our Wave of Hope podcast reflections using your podcast platform of choice. Subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon/Audible.

Feed: cbcew.org.uk/feed/podcast/wave-of-hope/

This Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Abbot Hugh Allan O.Praem, Director of Mission for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.

Abbot Hugh reflects on Advent as a season of hope, and explains that though we may be tempted to despair during troubled times, it is our knowledge of – and deepening of – our lives with Jesus Christ that can make hope a reality in our lives.

“Without faith, hope is just another word for the cheap and cheesy optimism that the world uses to paper over the cracks. For us, the nature of hope is despair overcome. We can hope because we’re loved as sons and daughters by a loving God who’s truly present with us and engaged in our lives.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

You can subscribe to our Wave of Hope podcast reflections using your podcast platform of choice. Subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon/Audible.

Feed: cbcew.org.uk/feed/podcast/wave-of-hope/

This Wave of Hope Advent reflection comes from Bokani Tshidzu, a London-based multimedia artist.

When commissioned recently to produce a stained-glass altarpiece, Bokani focused on the story of the Visitation. Reflecting on this reading, she found not only artistic inspiration but also hope:

“Hope grows when we say yes to God by living in solidarity with those who are most vulnerable in our families, in our local neighbourhoods, and across our global community. The Visitation shows us that hope is born in relationships.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

You can subscribe to our Wave of Hope podcast reflections using your podcast platform of choice. Subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon/Audible.

Feed: cbcew.org.uk/feed/podcast/wave-of-hope/

Today's Wave of Hope Advent reflection comes from Professor Jim McManus, the National Director of Health and Wellbeing for Public Health Wales and the Chair of Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT).

Reflecting on the power of good over evil, and the words of encouragement which we receive from Pope Francis and Pope Leo, Jim says:

“Hope means paying attention to the good. Where communities allow themselves to be guided by hope, they do not retreat but are revitalised, and they do not build walls but bridges. My hope this year is that those people who amplify signs of hope will signpost the way for us to do the same.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

You can subscribe to our Wave of Hope podcast reflections using your podcast platform of choice. Subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon/Audible.

Feed: cbcew.org.uk/feed/podcast/wave-of-hope/

10 December

Today’s Wave of Hope Advent reflection comes from Raymond Friel, CEO of Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN).

Speaking from St Mary’s University, Twickenham after the recent conference marking the 60th anniversary of Gaudium et Spes, Raymond shared the hope that he finds in the teaching of the Church today, and especially in young people who can inspire us in the search for social justice.

Finally, Raymond shared the hope that he finds through his work with Caritas and the encounters he has with those on the margins:

“Hope is not some unwarranted optimism that everything is going to be okay, but the assurance, the conviction that nothing can separate us from the love of God. And that’s what gives us our energy and our inspiration for our mission.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

You can subscribe to our Wave of Hope podcast reflections using your podcast platform of choice. Subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon/Audible.

Feed: cbcew.org.uk/feed/podcast/wave-of-hope/

9 December

This Wave of Hope Advent reflection comes from Dr Phil McCarthy, founder of the Hearts in Search of God walking pilgrimage project.

"The thing that gave me most hope was the 'Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope'… 641 miles were walked and 21,257 feet climbed over 45 days along four 'Ways', by 20 perpetual pilgrims who walked the full distance, often sleeping in church halls, and by over 250 day pilgrims who joined us for one or more days."

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

You can subscribe to our Wave of Hope podcast reflections using your podcast platform of choice. Subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon/Audible.

Feed: cbcew.org.uk/feed/podcast/wave-of-hope/

8 December

This Wave of Hope Advent reflection comes from Canon William Agley, General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.

Canon Agley reflects on a busy year that has seen him move from the north east, where he was a parish priest in Newcastle, to London to take up his appointment as the new General Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference.

This year, he has found great hope in the people seeking to be received into the Church:

“It has been a great joy to accompany an increasing number of people who are coming to faith in Jesus Christ and to His Church. To witness their growth in faith during their preparation and to baptise or receive them into the Church has filled me with the certain hope that the Holy Spirit is alive and active in the world.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

You can subscribe to our Wave of Hope podcast reflections using your podcast platform of choice. Subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon/Audible.

Feed: cbcew.org.uk/feed/podcast/wave-of-hope/

7 December

This 'Wave of Hope' Advent reflection is given by Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, Eparchial Bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London.

Even though we live in a troubled, chaotic world, Bishop Nowakowski sees Jesus Christ as the light piercing the darkness bringing us hope and peace: "Behold the brilliance of the newborn saviour, Jesus. It is this babe who gives ever new meaning to our lives. Good conquers evil, charity prevails over indifference, love melts hardened hearts and brings the promise of peace for all of us."

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

You can subscribe to our Wave of Hope podcast reflections using your podcast platform of choice. Subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon/Audible.

Feed: cbcew.org.uk/feed/podcast/wave-of-hope/

6 December

This Wave of Hope reflection is given by lecturer and theologian Dr Pia Matthews. Describing the hope she has found in the witness and formation of lay Catholics and seminarians during this Jubilee Year, Dr Matthews says:

"We live in hope because, after all, the battle has already been won, Jesus has conquered sin and death. But what is truly wonderful and amazing is that God, who does not need us, asks each one of us to participate in whatever way we can in his great plan of salvation."

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

You can subscribe to our Wave of Hope podcast reflections using your podcast platform of choice. Subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon/Audible.

Feed: cbcew.org.uk/feed/podcast/wave-of-hope/

5 December

This Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Bishop John Arnold, our Lead Bishop for the Environment and Bishop of Salford.

Despite the disappointment of COP30 and the lack of agreement on the phasing out of fossil fuels, Bishop Arnold actually takes heart from the number of individuals and groups in the UK keen to combat climate change:

“This year, what gave me the most hope was the growing interest, learning, and actions among so many groups of people concerning the reality of climate change and its increasing impact in our world, particularly in the poorest nations which have done least to cause the climate change.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

You can subscribe to our Wave of Hope podcast reflections using your podcast platform of choice. Subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon/Audible.

Feed: cbcew.org.uk/feed/podcast/wave-of-hope/