We have not had a winter like this in quite a few years and, although it can be disheartening to leave home with temperatures well below freezing, it is also a bit refreshing! Read more.
This weekend affords us the opportunity to reflect on the great privileges and responsibilities that we all share as citizens and as residents of the United States. Tomorrow we will witness the swearing-in of a new president, yet one who has previously held that office. This is a peculiarity witnessed only once before in our history, the only president born in New Jersey, Grover Cleveland. At a time of great division in our country, we pray for healing and a positive vision for the future; with the uncertainty of global conflicts, we pray for peace; with the devastation we see in California caused by wildfires, and those who in North Carolina are still suffering from the hurricane last summer, we pray for their safety and security, and that they have the resources necessary to rebuild their lives and provide for their families. Read more.
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This is a good time for each of us to reflect on the meaning of our own baptism. Pope Francis has on several occasions challenged everyone to note the day of their baptism and to celebrate it as they would their birthday. Sadly, when asked, most Catholics do not know the day of their baptism (October 6th for me, by the way). It might be a fun thing to do as a family today. Look at baptism pictures and remember the moment when we became children of God and members of the Body of Christ. Read more.
Unfortunately the deadlines for printing the bulletins around the holidays make it so that I am actually writing this letter before Christmas. This means that I have no real clear updates and that I cannot really talk about the Christmas season and holiday, leaving this a more generic note.