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.