Dear Parishioners:
Pope Leo Urbi et Orbi Chritmas 2025
I hope you and your families had a very Happy New Year’s Day! On New Year’s Day, the Church celebrated the 59th World Day of Peace. Each New Year, the Holy Father offers a Message to the world, calling for peace among all nations and peoples. The World Day of Peace was established by Saint Pope Paul VI in 1967 and first observed on January 1, 1968, to promote peace, human rights, and justice, particularly during the Cold War and the Vietnam War. The Saintly Pope stated, "If you want peace, work for justice.”
In his first Message for World Day of Peace, Pope Leo XIV stated: “Saint Augustine urged Christians to forge an unbreakable bond with peace, so that by cherishing it deeply in their hearts, they would be able to radiate its luminous warmth around them. Addressing his community, he wrote: ‘If you wish to draw others to peace, first have it yourselves; be steadfast in peace yourselves. To inflame others, you must have the flame burning within.’ Dear brothers and sisters, whether we have the gift of faith or feel we lack it, let us open ourselves to peace!”
Saint Francis in prayer. Cigoli (Ludovico Cardi) Castello di Cigoli, 1559 – Rome, 1613
In a world with too many wars, too much conflict and violence, let us heed the Holy Father’s call to pray for peace. Let the Prayer of St. Francis be our prayer: "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy."
Did you make a New Year's resolution this year? Losing weight, eating healthier foods, exercising more regularly, getting more sleep, or quitting bad habits such as smoking and swearing are often the top New Year's resolutions. As Catholics, we might consider making some spiritual resolutions in 2026.
Focusing on physical health and well-being is a great resolution, but what about our spiritual health? The Catholic writer, G.K. Chesterton, said: "The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul."
So, in 2026, resolve to work on your soul. Consider beginning and ending every day with prayer. Resolve to stay close to Christ by clinging to the Sacraments. Make a concrete resolution to live a more Sacramental life. Strive never to miss Sunday Mass; make a good Sacramental Confession at least once a month; add daily Mass to your schedule; attend Marian Devotions and First Friday Adoration; and spend more time praying in Church before the Eucharistic Lord, truly present in the tabernacle.
Resolve to read the Sacred Scriptures more and seek out good Catholic spiritual books. They help us gain a greater knowledge of the Word of God and a deeper spirituality. St. John Bosco said, "Only God knows the good that can come by reading one good Catholic book."
We can make many other resolutions as Catholics in 2026. Grace before meals at home and at the restaurant; acts of penance and sacrifice such as fasting, praying the Rosary, praying the Stations of the Cross, and being more generous and charitable with our time, talent, and treasure. Perhaps try making a pilgrimage to a local shrine or taking a retreat. Speaking of retreats, please keep Father Brodeur in your prayers as he makes his Annual Retreat this week. He will be at the Marywood Retreat Center in St. Johns, Florida.
On Tuesday, January 6, the RI General Assembly resume their legislative session. And I resume my lobbying duties for the Diocese. Please pray for me and also our elected officials that they may truly serve the common good, defend the poor, work for true justice, promote human dignity, and protect the sanctity of human life.
Join us for a screening of the film, “The Star of Bethlehem.” It is a 2007 documentary by Rick Larson about his search for the Star of Bethlehem. As we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany today, let’s continue to celebrate it next Saturday, January 10, at 5:15 pm in the OLM School Gym. As Pope Francis said: “Follow the ‘Bright Star of Jesus.’"
Fr. Brodeur and I wish you a Holy, Healthy, and Happy New Year and many blessings in 2026. Be well. Stay safe. Do good. God Bless!