Brrrrrr! Winter is here. The beautiful snow, the crisp cold air, the green of the pines and God’s vivid blue sky. We are blessed to have all four seasons in our diocese and yet all agree that at times our seasons can seem to be a bit mixed up with their topsy-turvy-temps!  The season of winter has a purpose in our gardens. It brings a time for rest, rejuvenation and the cold can bring death to diseases and some of those pesky garden pests.

The Jubilee Year of Hope is underway.  Pope Francis opened the St. Peter’s Basilica Holy Door on December 24, 2024, and Bishop Golka welcomed the Jubilee for our diocese on December 29, the Feast of the Holy Family.

“Where flowers bloom so does hope.” — Lady Bird Johnson.

If you haven’t experienced the amaryllis, you should, and if you have, you know that its beauty can only be described as spectacular!

The halo is a phenomenon seen in nature as a ring around the sun or moon, a result of refracted or reflected light. The corona (Latin for “wreath”) surrounding the sun during a total eclipse is similar. Any of these forms of halo may be called a nimbus (Latin for “cloud”). Some authorities suggest that these titles may be used interchangeably, along with aura, aureole, glory or gloriole (Latin: “a small glory”).

Sometimes in the midst of all the familial, commercial and year-end activities that are a part of the holidays, our spiritual life can take a bit of a hit. Here are some book recommendations that might help remind us all about why this season should be filled with wonder and joy, and not simply frenzy.

Christmas is amazing. It is a homage to the singular, foundational event of Christianity, yet it is celebrated and promoted by people worldwide, regardless of faith.  In the United States, it is the only religious day that is also a federal holiday. Whether you go to midnight Mass, Christmas Eve service, or make a point to say “Happy holidays,” if you engage with the holiday season, you are acknowledging the birth of Christ. And regardless of what you believe in that respect, you cannot deny the central importance of the implications of that idea.

Bishop James Golka sat down with Rev. Kyle Ingels to discuss his new pastoral letter, "Christ Our Hope."

There are two kinds of families that I notice at Christmas Mass. The first are those with young children dressed up in their best Christmas finery, excited about the whole day. The kids sing the songs they know with enthusiasm. They admire the array of Christmas trees and poinsettias in the sanctuary. They rush to visit the creche after Mass to see the baby Jesus.

Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more . . . He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world.” — Stave 5, A Christmas Carol.

Editor’s Note: Below is a speech delivered by Our Lady of Walsingham Academy senior Meg Ambuul at the school’s annual gala on Nov. 11 at Creekside Event Center. Ambuul is a senior.

I can say with some authority that attending Our Lady of Walsingham Academy is a lot of work. A few years ago, that would have been a complaint. But now, as I pursue the studies of my senior year, I’m actually grateful.