When we look at the challenges around us, do we feel anger, anxiety, frustration, or depression? Those are natural responses, but we are invited to activate the grace of our baptism to change that. We can choose to limit the negativity we absorb. We can gather in community to support, witness to, and lift one another up. We can actively choose positive alternatives to the world's negativity. This should be our project for the New Year!

Readings at this Mass: Is 42:1–4, 6–7 | Acts 10:34–38 | Mt 3:13–17

To live fully and freely is not to circle the wagons against every potential threat to our safe and comfortable little worlds. Some of the freest people ever were the martyrs, who laid down their lives — their actual, physical lives — freely, entrusting their well-being to God. That’s how we want to live, too: in the immense freedom of the Divine Will. God knows our needs, even better than we do. Look for the will of God in the events of your daily life and ask Him to be present there. Let that be your star.

Readings at this Mass: Is 60:1–6 | Eph 3:2–3a, 5–6 | Ma 2:1–12

As we move into 2026, let's make a resolution to increase our prayer life. Say 'yes' to having Mary in your "bucket of saints" that you go to for prayer and intercession, the closest and first disciple of Jesus.

Readings at this Mass: Nm 6:22–27 | Gal 4:4–7 | Lk 2:16–21