I came across this beautiful personal reflection from Nancy Hallczuk about how the Lord invited her to a closer relationship with Him, even when she had stayed away. Does that sound familiar? Have hope – nothing can separate you from the love of Jesus! He’s always ready to fill you with His mercy and His peace.

Do you know that as a lay person, you have a unique contribution to make in God’s plan for our society? The holy People of God indeed have a very special and important role. This is described in the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church #31. “It belongs to the laity to seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God’s will. They live in the world, that is, they are engaged in each and every work and business of the earth and in the ordinary circumstances of social and family life, from which, as it were, the very web of their existence is woven.

This past week a reflection from a stranger confirmed for me an observation I have witnessed myself among members of our society lately. There seems to be a “pall” hanging over people these days. Do you feel it? It comes out in various forms. There seems to be a growing anxiety about the state of our world with the war in Ukraine, the Holy Land, and other troubled areas causing fear and uncertainty about the future of our country and our world, including the specter of nuclear war.

Pope Francis included this prayer in his encyclical, Laudato Si (On Care for Our Common Home) published in May 2015. May it serve to inspire your heart and actions in this new year.