Here’s your takeaway: This week, set aside some time to be with Jesus during 40 Hours Adoration. This is a time – here in the Church – when Jesus will be exposed on the Altar of our Church for prayer, adoration, for thanksgiving, for petition, to hear what is on your heart. The Church will be opened from morning Mass – Adoration will follow – till 8pm. Spend this valuable time talking with God as you would with a close friend. Share your thoughts, joys, and struggles, and listen for His response in the quiet. And let the Lord know that you want your friendship with him to overflow in welcoming others as Jesus has lovingly welcomed you into friendship with himself.

Takeaway: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” This week, pray Numbers 6:24-26 daily. Ask Mary, as you begin this New Year, to guide you in opening your heart to God’s blessings. Then, reflect on one area of your life where you need to make room for His blessings to really become activated. Write it down and carry it with you as a reminder to let God lead this year – e.g., it could that 10 minutes of prayer every day or spending less time – naming the amount of time – on the screens and then devote the time to family, study or activities together. Let us pray for each other – that, we begin this New Year - we open our hearts to God’s blessings that will in turn lead to blessing others.

PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY This week, take one step toward contentment. Each day, name one thing you are grateful for and one thing you can let go of. Write down what you are grateful for Secondly be prepared to “give away” what you could or maybe need to let go of but don’t write it down, rather take it the confessional and give it to Jesus himself. By doing this – gratitude offered to God and what we need to let go of offered to God we move towards what Advent is all about: Creating room in your heart for Jesus

Pull Quotes from this Sunday's Homily: Have you ever thought about the fact that many people you meet in your daily interactions (who may or may not know anything about Jesus Christ or that you are Catholic/Christian) ----- you could be the “only Bible some people ever read.” Practical Takeaway This week, ask yourself each morning, “What can I do today that lets others see Jesus as King in my life?” Maybe it’s showing kindness, forgiving someone, or standing for what’s right. If you have – with God’s grace – overcome temptation, then maybe it is sharing that victory with someone who is struggling so that they can learn and hopefully benefit. Let us pray that Jesus Christ is the King and the only King of our lives!