The Solemnity of the Holy Family December 28, 2025 Are You My Family? I am the youngest of six kids with 17 years between me and my oldest sibling. That meant that my older siblings had a head start in getting married and starting their family. Also, that meant that I would have nieces and nephews that were relatively close to me in age. It started early with five nieces. Two from one sister and three from my other sister. As children, I became quite close to these nieces and

Turn Back Oh Man In 1916 English poet and playwright, Clifford Bax wrote a poem with this title. Though it doesn’t say so specifically, it is probably influenced by the then current war in Europe referred to as “The Great War” or “The War to End All Wars”, and after we had a similar conflict just 15 or so years later, it became known simply as World War I. The first line said in another way is to repent and give up your wicked ways. The poem gets a little darker and speaks a

“He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him” Luke 17:16a “and he told him, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.” Luke 17:19 The month of October is full of birthdays in my family, including mine. Watching someone open cards and presents and blow out candles on their cake, especially a small child is a great joy to watch. These gifts are usually received with a great deal of gratitude. The big ones, the small ones and even just a thought or gesture.

Luke 16: 8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. The parable found in Luke 16:1 -13 is multi layered. Often a pastor will give a sermon or homily and just hit one angle or another angle of the parable’s underlying meaning. For sure, that’s ok to do but you should note that there is a lot going on in this couple of par