There were some beautiful purple perennial plants where I shopped this morning. They had been placed outside in the parking lot and I found myself without a cart or any other way to transport them. A handsome young black man came to my aid. He quickly found a plant cart and assisted in moving my selection onto it. He then offered to follow me to the cash register, waited until they were purchased, and put them into our car. His help was greatly appreciated. His store name tag was “Michael” so I asked him how he got that name.

It was in 1959 that our Religious Community arrived in the Diocese of San Diego at Mt. Saint Joseph School. The city was Barstow located in the Northern Mojave Desert. It was the only Catholic Parish within a forty-mile radius. There were many forms of poverty awaiting our Sisters and a “poverty of religion” was one of them. A very simple example was the answer Sister Anne Joseph received when inquiring ‘Who is the Holy Spirit?’ A young man raised his hand to explain: “He is the dove on the front of our book!”

“The Church’s foundation is unshakable and firm against the assaults of the raging sea. Although the elements of this world constantly batter and crash against her, she offers the safest harbor of salvation for all in distress.” Words of St. Ambrose

We have celebrated wonderful feasts in this transition to a new year. These honored events encircled a large spectrum in the Life of Christ and consequently the life of the Church. We are so richly blessed with this deep treasure of faith to guide us each day. It is not likened to earthly wealth, but rather, the richness that fills mind, heart, soul, spirit, and every facet encircling humanity. Through such celebrations we receive gifts that bring purpose and strength to everything we do. We are enriched with grace to fight anything that may be harmful to our spiritual growth. It is true wealth that generates joy!

Christmas is close at hand! Our goal throughout Advent was to have a proper gift to give the Christ Child on his Birthday. I tried to place a peaceful, meaningful, directive plan into my Advent days, however, time and circumstances disrupted much of that plan. Still, I moved forward in my effort. The life-gift that I will have looks much different than my original plan because I set the pace and God designed the journey.

The days of Lent have arrived! It is time set aside or put into place practices that will help us to grow in our spiritual life, strive to greater holiness, and constrain ourselves so that we will grow in our love for God and all that leads to eternal life.