Dear STL Families,
September usually conjures up exciting emotions among members of my family - summer ends, school begins, neighborhood pick-up games end, college and professional football games begin. These emotions were quelled by COVID but we're hanging on to hope or seeking new joys. Instead of looking back with regrets, we're looking forward to the tangible, significant godsends ahead.
On this 15th day, we're right spang in the middle of September. I remember we have important events to finally celebrate - Full Initiation of our Catechumens and Candidates into the Catholic Church, the First Communions, Confirmation, and Baptisms. That's right! We get to conjure up images of Fr. Ron coming home soon for First Communion celebrations, the RCIA celebration we missed at Easter Vigil, and several infant Baptisms. We also get to experience Bishop John Dolan confirming our teen candidates. That's exciting, right?!?!
A colleague and good friend, Doris, at Our Lady of Grace parish, came up with a spiritual message using the acronym C-O-V-I-D:
- Christ
- Obviously
- Values
- Incredible
- Disciples
And to me, that conjures up an actionable call, not by magic, but invoked by the Holy Spirit, to help each other remain hopeful and to encourage gratitude.