‘Wave of Hope’ offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season of Advent – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in the year that has led them to a place of hope.
12th December 2025
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/
11th December 2025
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/
10th December 2025
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/
9th December 2025
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/
8th December 2025
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/
7th December 2025
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/
6th December 2025
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/
5th December 2025
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/
4th December 2025
4 December
This Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Nikki Dhillon Keane, a therapist, trainer, author, activist and founder of Safe in Faith, a project of Caritas Westminster working to support survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and exploitation in ways that understand how their faith impacts their experiences.
Nikki reflects on the hope she finds in accompanying people on their personal journeys:
“The thing that gives me hope more than anything is the privilege of being able to accompany people on that journey from danger to safety, that journey of trauma recovery, that journey from despair to hope.”
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/
3rd December 2025
3 December
This Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Bishop Richard Moth, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton and Lead Bishop for Prisons for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Bishop Moth shares how he found hope through his encounters with the men and women he met during the various prison visits he made this year:
“I made a number of visits to prisons during the year and have been delighted to baptise and confirm men and women who are encountering the gospel and the life of the Church and recognising that their journey in faith brings hope that transforms 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/
2nd December 2025
2 December
Our third Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Dr Christine Allen, Director of CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development and the official aid agency for the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
Dr Allen finds hope at home and abroad despite the war, violence, conflict, famine, and destruction that we’ve seen this year.
“I’ve seen signs of hope in South Sudan, where our partner, Caritas Malakal, day in and day out, offers life-saving food to those displaced across the border from the war in Sudan. People who have absolutely nothing, who are in a transit camp but are offered food, compassion, and care… Here I’ve been so moved and empowered by the young people that have been engaging in the Jubilee for Schools work. They’ve made pledges, they’ve made commitments, and faith has come that, for me, makes a real sign of hope for the future.”
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/
1st December 2025
1 December
Our second Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Canon Chris Vipers, Director of the Agency for Evangelisation for the Diocese of Westminster. Canon Vipers finds his hope in young people and how they will shape the Church for future generations:
“I found great hope in the events we’ve had for our catechists – those who form our young people for the Sacraments… I’ve been so encouraged by the warmth and the love that our catechists bring. It gives me such hope for the future – our young people are so blessed to have them.”
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/
