The last day of 2025. It is hard to believe that we are headed into 2026. I had a quick flashback of where I was on New Year's Eve 1999. My thoughts were on the turn of the century, not even thinking about 2025! Where does the time go? Well, there is a tradition in Ireland that on New Year's Eve at midnight you are to open your front and back doors to let the old year out and the new year in. With this cold weather, I'm not sure I'll try that tradition, but you get the message – in with the new and out with the old.
That's what I love about New Year's Eve, we have a community custom of spending the last hour of the year in prayer. It is a time to reflect and pray for all that has happened in my own life, the life of those I am with, those I minister to, and the world. It's a time to look and see how I can become the best version of myself that God created. What about you? I am sure, like most folks, you make resolutions for the new year. But if we are honest, don't most of those resolutions fall by the wayside? How can we make 2026 Different?
At Sunday's Mass for the feast of the Holy Family, I started thinking about all of this, and it led me to the conclusion that my way of living out 2026 is to try to be present to the moment, day, place, or event I am at. So many times, we miss miracles, moments of grace, and God's love because we are not fully present to the moment. Has that ever happened to you? We can become so overwhelmed with what we have to do that we aren't fully aware of what is happening right before us. Right now, as we continue to move into our new living situation, I get lost in all there is to do and forget to focus on the task at hand. Sound familiar?
So, during this year's prayer time, I am asking for God's help to be present to the people, places, and things I am experiencing at that moment, as well as seeing it with grateful eyes. What about you? How do you want to live your New 2026 Year? I leave you with this little prayer:
Gracious Father,
we thank You for the gift of life,
for each day You have carried us through,
and for every blessing seen and unseen.
Thank You for love that sustains us,
for forgiveness that renews us,
and for hope that leads us forward.
Even in our challenges,
we are grateful for Your presence and care.
Help us to live with thankful hearts,
to recognize Your goodness in all things,
and to share Your blessings with others.
We offer this prayer with trust and praise,
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Till next week, Happy New Year and awareness,
Sister Theresita
