Holidays and Leadership

       November and December are full of special days and celebrations: All Saints, All Souls, Thanksgiving, (Fr. Andy’s Birthday – 11/30) Advent, Immaculate Conception of Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Posadas, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, etc. There are many events occurring during too few days. We are not able to reflect upon the last event before we are preparing for and celebrating the next event.

       Of course, most of the special days have a spiritual character. We are invited to approach each one with preparation and purpose. I invite you to think and pray about the special quality of each moment as an experience of your Catholic Christian faith. How do the holy days and holidays nurture your faith life? How is your relationship with God affected in these two months? Is it possible for you to think about beloved saints and loved ones who have passed on to eternal glory, and to think about the special qualities of Mary our Mother, and about the birth of our Savior, etc…and not grow weary?

       Please plan prayer periods during the holidays! Strengthening our spiritual lives is very important as we begin a new liturgical year and complete the calendar year. Faith commitments, both new and renewed, can make a difference in the quality of our life in the coming year. Additionally, as we make faith commitments – including commitments to serve those in need – let us work for justice and peace. Healing relationships, forgiving those who have harmed us, and seeking forgiveness from those whom we have harmed are important activities that will make the next year a rich one.

       The election cycle has passed and now our local community officials and federal government must lead! We need leadership from Mayor Schmitt, Sheriff Gossage, and Police Chief Smith! We need our City Council to respond to the needs of the whole city and all of her inhabitants. We need our state senators and representatives to rise above partisan politics in order to seek the common good. We need Governor Walker and Senators Baldwin and Johnson to serve us all. And, we need every citizen and every resident AND every person who lives in our local community, regardless of visa or immigration status, to make a contribution to the common good. Each person must put their abilities and talents at the service of the whole community. As Catholic Christians we are called to fulfill the commandment of Christ to “love one another as he loved us.” Let us love one another!

Peace, Fr. Andy