Time Still for Resolutions
We are a few weeks into the New Year. It can still be a time for some resolutions. Again, we offer a list of possible “Wholistic Catholic Resolutions” for consideration.
Try to emulate our Islamic brothers and sisters who pray five times a day. Morning and evening prayers, as well as grace before three meals, should be easy to implement if you have not done so already. Add St Francis’ and/or St Patrick’s Prayers in your daily prayers.
We all know about the risks of police, fire and ambulance personnel. Every time, you hear a fire alarm or siren, say a prayer for all the families involved in that emergency. Pray for those in trouble as well as those who are helping them in times of crisis.
Try to devote ten minutes a day (or more) at approximately the same time and same place for your personal prayer. It could be the Rosary, Bible reading, meditation, contemplation, or whatever. This reminds you that you live and breathe in every moment in the Presence of God, not just some.
Try to heed the call of Pope John Paul to “re-tool”, “upgrade” and “reacquaint ourselves with our Catholic religion”. We try to offer worthwhile opportunities for everyone, including our parents and adults, to take refreshers of what Catholic is all-about. Ask God to keep you open to the process.
Try to get to Mass one day a week in addition to Sunday. Many find in daily Mass the peace and quiet and lack of hassle frequently experienced at Sunday Eucharists.
Once a week, try to spend maybe 20 or 30 minutes in quiet prayer in Church. It’s like making a house call or visit to Jesus. Don’t necessarily plan any formal prayer unless you care to do so. Just come and relax in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in our parish church. Try to observe Friday abstinence from meat or to practice some other penance during the week (though “never on Sunday” when we celebrate the Resurrection. Friday night pizza as a family can be a weekly teaching moment for parents. Remind your children (and yourself) after you say grace that many people at this very hour and (some, not very far away) do not have the blessing of three square meals a day. This is a reason why we might forego meat one day a week.
In this context, try to remember the Ecumenical Food Food Pantry and the ongoing need for food by so many in our world. Not only on designated Sundays but every Sunday, a symbolic offering of food in the vestibule of our church reminds us of another reason why we give thanks to God each week. We have food to spare.
Try to volunteer some time, even one hour a week, to some project where you can help. Volunteer work is a tremendous way to show our gratitude to God for the many blessings and gifts which we have received. In addition, it shows our solidarity with those less fortunate and gifted than we.
Try to take part in different projects offered by the parish and community as a way of uniting your life with other Catholics and other communities in our efforts to know, love and serve God in this world in the New Year of the Lord, 2002 AD. 012002 AD jfq
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