Easter is taking on a new significance for many of us this year, especially for those dealing with job loss, foreclosure and other economic stresses. 23 News Reporter Alice Barr tells us how pastors and priests throughout the world are using the story of Jesus Christ's resurrection to uplift parishioners.
The church steeple seems to be becoming more of a magnet for those of us downtrodden by our tough times.
"People are constantly watching the Dow Jones ticker, there's obviously an increased anxiety," says Father Jerome Koutnik.
Father Jerome Koutnik of St. Peter's Catholic Church in South Beloit says those stressers are sending many people back to their faith.
"We continue to hope. I think much like AA, people have to usually hit the bottom before they come back up. People have gotten so low, that they're giving this a fresh look and they're seeing in religion and in practicing their religion these values and these attributes they can't find anywhere else. And because of that I think there's an explosion of religion afoot," says Father Koutnik.
St. Peter's parishioners are noticing a strengthening in their congregation.
"Faith takes on a different dimension when you're going through a difficult time. A lot of the regular people here reach out for help and then you do have some new people that come in that are looking for some kind of assistance," says parishioner Bernard Sehr.
At St. Peter's, that assistance comes in a message of enduring hope. Father Koutnik says Easter is the perfect time to remember that we can pull through hard times.
"That's the whole story about good Friday, on the world's darkest day, the whole Earth turned dark. Jesus Christ finally got up and he put an end to death and went for us to resurrection. So as the story of God goes, so goes the story of man. Through our darkest hours, we can find the light," says Father Koutnik.
Despite signs of devotion here in the stateline, a recent national poll by Newsweek magazine shows the number of people identifying themselves as Christians has dropped 10% since 1990, with 76% now claiming to be a part of that group. The report also shows 3.6 million Americans consider themselves atheist or agnostic, up from one-million in 1990. It's also Passover right now in the Jewish faith. We checked in with Rockford's Temple Beth-El. Representatives say their membership does not seem to be changing with the economy.