Early in this new year and with Lent around the corner, I invite you to make a resolution – to become more conscious of what you are supposed to do at Mass. The message introducing each weekend Mass invites us to, “recommit ourselves to participate fully in the congregation’s parts of the Mass, and so bring honor and glory to God by worshiping in Spirit and in truth.” This refers to what Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:24, "God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in Spirit and in truth."

On January 9, Pope Leo provided a forceful commentary on what is currently happening in our world and in our country in an address to 184 ambassadors from countries with full diplomatic relations with the Holy See. He said, “War is back in vogue, and a zeal for war is spreading... The principle established after the Second World War, which prohibited nations from using force to violate the borders of others, has been completely undermined.

You probably have made one or more New Year’s resolutions for 2026. Some may address areas such as our physical wellbeing, others our mental/emotional/spiritual wellbeing and others may have to do with our relationships. I share with you portions of a reflection from the January 5th installment of The Daily Anchor entitled “Step 1 to lasting change” from Chris Stefanick of www.reallifecatholic.com.

Happy New Year! As we look at the new year ahead of us, I invite you to keep in mind that God calls each of us to courageously live His Will in our lives, not merely our own will. Hopefully, our will and God’s will match. But, it’s not easy. Pope Benedict XVI once shared a timely thought about what our lives should be about. He said, "The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness." Here is a reflection from St. Ignatius of Loyola that can help you focus on what is most important in life.