This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family, the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. As reported in the media publication, “Vatican News”, Pope Leo “acknowledged the real challenges facing families today, including poverty, migration, and violence, and urged both the Church and public institutions to support and protect family life.” He noted that God gave families the perfect model, the Holy Family. He stated, “In every child, in every husband or wife, God entrusts us with His Son, with His Mother, just as He did with Saint Joseph, so that together with them, we may be a foundation, leaven, and witness of God’s love among humanity.”
Echoing the sentiments of our late Holy Father Pope Francis, Pope Leo has challenged us to strive for spiritual unity and for the strengthening of families by following the example of the Holy Family, especially in these difficult and uncertain times.
Then, this coming Thursday, we begin the New Year, and we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. Pope Leo has encouraged the faithful to make a conscious effort to have a more spiritual orientation in their lives in the midst of the many temptations of the secular world.
This hope for a more spiritual orientation is reflected in the following prayer provide by the media outlet, “Daily Prayer Circle”:
Father, let our lives be fruitful this year.
May our efforts not be in vain.
Let our relationships bear fruit,
our work produce excellence,
and our ministry reach others.
May our spiritual lives overflow with love,
joy, peace, and self-control.
Let every season bring visible growth and lasting impact. Amen.
As we begin the New Year, and as we reflect on this prayer, many of us make resolutions to renew or revitalize our lives in certain ways. We may resolve to lose weight, or exercise more frequently, or be more punctual. But we can also consider ways that we can renew or revitalize our lives spiritually. One way we can embrace spiritual renewal is by praying each day, especially as a family if circumstances permit. It may be before meals. It may be at a certain time in the day. Most of us are busy people, with different schedules, often going in different directions within our family unit. So, it may require some discipline and structure to make the time to pray together but hopefully it will be spiritually beneficial.
On behalf of Msgr. Marren, Fr. Bill, Fr. Colin, our Deacons, and staff, we wish you and your families many spiritual blessings in the year to come.