It was quite interesting to read in the most recent CENSUS data that Britain faces a "secular" future.

It is for the first time since CENSUS data has been published that, for example, more people in England and Wales declare no affiliation with any religion than confess to be Christians.

Although as a nation we are becoming less religious, the Easter or Christmas celebrations are still embedded in our way of life.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Michal SiewniakMichal Siewniak (Image: Michal Siewniak (2))

I personally always look forward to Easter. A bit like at the beginning of the New Year, members of the Christian community might often make a few commitments to eating less sweets or giving up something that we enjoy.

During Lent, which starts with Ash Wednesday, I try to focus more on my "personal and spiritual goals" rather than changing my eating habits.

I do think, religious or not, that it is good to find moments in our busy calendar year to switch off, re-evaluating life challenges and finding the right work-life balance.

There are plenty of quite extraordinary and beautiful Polish Easter traditions, which are part of our heritage and national traditions.

Easter, of course, is celebrated in accordance with the Roman Catholic calendar. On Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of the Holy Week, Poles bring large and colourful dried branches to church, which remind the church community about Jesus’s entrance to Jerusalem.

On Saturday, I remember it so well, we would decorate eggs, decorate the Easter basket with ham, sugar lamb or horseradish, which is then blessed by the priest.

On Sunday, in the same way as for Christmas with the sharing of the Christmas wafer, people exchange wishes with blessed food and eggs, which are an important part of the Easter tradition.

We do eat a lot during Easter; there is a cheesecake, yeast cake with a hole in the middle called babka.

One of my favourite Easter traditions, which has pagan roots, is the Wet Monday (Śmigus-Dyngus), which requires that boys throw water over girls. Anyone travelling to Poland over Easter needs to be prepared to get wet!

Like in many countries around the world, Polish Easter traditions are rich and beautiful.

However, I believe that whether we are Christians or not, the Easter message is still relevant today; we are all called to be "Ambassadors of Peace", which at times, has been lacking in our society and across communities.

It is easier said than done, I know. However, I will try to do my little part and remember that our being is sacred and has a deep purpose.

Let’s use our presence here on earth well; let’s use it to serve the common good.