Since we have heard references to “the Jews” in our New Testament scriptures recently, and we will hear similar references when the Passion is read at Mass this coming Passion/Palm Sunday as well as on Good Friday, it would be important to clarify the Church’s position on how we should regard our Jewish brothers and sisters when such references may lead some people to a mistaken understanding about them.

This Wednesday, March 25 is the feast of the Annunciation, the day we celebrate the Virgin Mary’s assent to become the mother of the Messiah and when she conceived Jesus in her womb. This is exactly 9 months before the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. On this day, the Church celebrates two great mysteries: Mary’s “fiat,” her free and total act of trust in God to be the instrument by which God would bring about His plan of salvation for the whole human race; and the moment when the Godhead first took on human flesh and became incarnate within the womb of Mary.

This Thursday, March 19 will be the Feast of St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. Something that many parishioners may not know is that we have a relic containing very small pieces of the Blessed Mother’s veil, St. Joseph’s robe and the crib of the child Jesus. This special relic was donated to Holy Family Parish several years ago by parishioner, Nancy Fitzsimmons, which came from a collection of religious articles of her deceased mother, Mary McLaughlin. Documentation came with the relic to verify its authenticity.

You might recall that in his November 2024 victory speech, then President-elect Trump stated, “I’m not going to start a war. I’m going to stop wars,” and he promised to focus national resources on domestic priorities rather than foreign conflicts.

A week ago, in the midst of diplomatic negotiations with Iran, our president and his administration initiated a massive joint military operation with Israel against Iran, killing its leaders, and he called for a regime change by its citizens.

St. Teresa of Avila once said, “There is more value in a little study of humility and in a single act of it than in all the knowledge in the world.” Since pride is often at the root of many of our faults and sins, which we strive to overcome during Lent, I invite you to make growth in the virtue of humility a particular focus by praying this prayer attributed to Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val (1865-1930). May this prayer and your efforts to grow in humility make a significant difference in your life and in the lives of those around you.

What’s your focus for Lent? Some might say, I’m going to work at avoiding these certain sins. Others might say, I’m going to try to pray more to make God a more important part of my life.

Well, it might help to first, ask yourself this fundamental question: What is my ultimate goal as a Catholic? I often hear people say, “My goal is to get to heaven!” Yes, a worthy goal. But, is that the best reason?

This week we begin the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday, February 18. Have you thought much about what you plan to do for Lent?

Traditionally, we reflect on what Jesus came to do for us. By suffering and dying on the Cross, Jesus has taken upon himself our sins and the sins of the world, which expresses God’s great mercy and forgiveness.

Over the last year or more, I have observed some older Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors, as well as our weekend senior assistant, Fr. Jim Ronan having difficulty going up and down the altar sanctuary stairs without something to hold onto. With the unanimous support of the members of our Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Council, and the approval of Archbishop Henning, we are in the process of having constructed and installed 4 custom made handrails for our rather expansive altar sanctuary.

The reality of evil in the world manifests itself in various ways, both obvious and subtle. Every time we pray the Our Father, we say: “deliver us from evil.” War, genocide, murder, child abuse, domestic violence and satanic involvement are rather obvious examples. Yet, other types, such as animosity followed by hateful and even unkind words, can be more subtle, such as detraction, slander, and gossip, which can destroy one’s reputation and honor.

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.