News From Home
January 2026
This Month…
In the Catholic Church, the month of January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus.
The Holy Father’s intentions for this January 2026 are for prayer with the Word of God, and that praying with the Word of God will be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church.
Unfathomable Gifts
By Sister M. Anselma
Happy New Year, everyone!
I pray that you are having a blessed Christmas season and that you feel fresh and ready for the new year! Just a reminder that the Christmas season actually lasts until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which is January 9th this year. So no need to rush the de-decorating!
One quick de-decorating story! When I was a much younger Sister, I was living for a short time in a small convent in Rock Island, IL with a few of our Sisters. Someone had donated a real Christmas tree, for which we were very grateful! It was a nice, short, plump tree that we placed in our convent dining room, which was down a narrow hallway from the front door. Well, when the Christmas season was over and the tree had been there for at least six weeks, it was much less pliable than when we first brought it in. So the extra wide branches that previously bent easily along the narrow hallway now stiffly scraped their pathway back out toward the front door… It was a mess!! But the most painful part of the mess was that thousands of sharp, little pine needles had become stuck in the loops of the Berber carpeting all along that hallway. The vacuum was no help. No… the only way those needles were coming out of the carpet was with the nimble little fingers of Sisters on their hands and knees!! The chore was made lighter by the fact that we had each other and the grace of our Infant Savior in our hearts who came to save us from our messes!!
I hope you don’t have any de-decorating problems like that this year!!
I always love the fresh start of the new year! While I have my goals, ideas, plans, etc, I also know the Lord has gifts in this new year that I cannot fathom. And so, I will continue to do my part, and wait to see how His grace will transform things according to His desires!
Speaking of which, let’s take a moment to look back on where His grace met us in 2025. Here are several areas where we see the flourishing of our Mission as we look back on the past year:
- 97% occupancy across the year
- Refreshed landscaping in both the front and back of campus
- New ornamental fence along the front perimeter of our property
- Upgraded kitchen equipment
- Trained pastry chef who provides gourmet desserts
- Positive performance to budget
- Increased number of Mission Supporters, who help us flourish with their gifts of time and support
- Chapel renovation project designed and funded
- Newly installed heating and air conditioning to the laundry – such a benefit for our dedicated Mission Partners who work in that area
- Continued growth of our wonderful Mission Partner team with new faces that have graced us with the gifts God has given them to share with others
Thank you for being part of our family here at the Home! Please know you are in my prayers as we venture to the unknown of this new year, trusting in God’s provident and loving care!!
In His Merciful Heart,
Sister M. Anselma
Administrator
A New Year in Christ: Redefining Resolutions
By Fr. Dan Kavanagh
As we ring in the new year, our society often focuses on resolutions and a “new me” fueled by self-reliance and grit. For Catholics, however, New Year’s resolutions are called to be less about a fleeting burst of willpower and more about the lifelong journey of metanoia — a transformative change of heart that brings us closer to God.
The secular approach to resolutions often centers on the ego: looking better, performing faster, or acquiring more. From a Catholic perspective, the goal is not self-perfection, but sanctification. We recognize that we cannot change by our own strength alone. As St. Paul reminds us, “I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me” (Philippians 4:13). Our resolutions should begin with a humble recognition of our need for God’s grace.
Practical Spiritual Goals
Instead of just focusing on physical goals, consider resolutions that nourish the soul:
The Sacramental Life: Commit to participating in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church, such as daily Mass and periodic confession.
Prayer: Dedicate fifteen minutes to Lectio Divina (prayerful reading of the scriptures) or a daily Rosary to cultivate a heart that is attentive to the movements of the Holy Spirit.
Charity: Look outward. How can I serve others around me: my fellow residents, family members, etc. instead of being overly inward-focused?
The Church’s liturgical year actually begins with Advent, but the secular New Year offers a beautiful opportunity to reflect on our stewardship of time—a gift from God, who made each and every one of us in His image and likeness.
If we struggle in our resolutions, we don’t need to wait until next year to try again. Because of the Resurrection, every morning is an opportunity for renewal. As St. Paul mentions in Colossians 3:12-13: “Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another.”
This year, let’s shift the focus from “What can I achieve?” to “Who is God calling me to become?” When our goals are aligned with His will, our resolutions become a path to lasting peace and holiness.
Fr. Dan Kavanagh
Chaplain
Photos From Home
Joke of the Month:
Why was the telephone late on January 1st?
It was busy ringing in the new year!
