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.