KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 1 KNIGHTLY NOTES

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1 KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 1 KNIGHTLY NOTES ST JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL NO WEST SAHARA AVENUE LAS VEGAS, NV PHONE: Y2K PLUS XV EDITION, ISSUE II FEBRUARY 2015 Dear Brothers in Christ, NOTE FROM THE GRAND KNIGHT Greetings and blessings on you all. At a recent meeting, it came to my attention that many of us are not clear on the Beatitudes. And it struck me that it is amazing that we are so familiar with the Ten Commandments; we have a mental movie picture of Moses presenting them to us. For the most part, we can name them in order and we have a good understanding of them, right? But it is a different story with the Beatitudes. How many are there? Who gave them to us? And where? Some Theologians say that they replace the commandments, are far more personal and much more meaningful. As we continue our journey to build the Domestic Church, it is time to look at love-not the love of Valentine s Day, but the love of the Beatitudes. The Gospel of Matthew gives us a road map to living our light. The Beatitudes are called decisive moral choices by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. They are certainly the clearest promises of the Happiness and joy in Heaven. There is nothing like them in the Old Testament. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Like the Ten Commandments and the six precepts of the Church, these need to be committed to memory and committed to heart. They are not the NOTS; they are the DOs. The eight Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3 12 during the Sermon on the Mount each begins with: Blessed are.....the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. (5:3)...those who mourn: for they will be comforted. (5:4)...the meek: for they will inherit the earth. (5:5)...those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (5:6)...the merciful: for they will be shown mercy. (5:7)...the pure in heart: for they will see God. (5:8)...the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God. (5:9)...those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:10) Peace to you in His Words, Ken Sawyer Grand Knight Council Kenjsawyer@cox.net

2 KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 2 Calling All Knights: WE NEED YOUR HELP! OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP We will be selling Mardi Gras Dinner Dance tickets in the Plaza after masses on the weekend of Jan 31/Feb1st and the weekend of Feb 7/8. Please contact Ken Sawyer Kenjsawyer@cox.net or Mark Martinez (fairwinds73@yahoo.com) to sign up to help. Mardi Gras Dinner Dance Feb 14 th. Prep in the Kitchen 9am to 5pm Feb 13 th. Prep and help with the Dinner and clean up on Feb 14 9am -9pm. ASH WEDNESDAY IS FEB 18 th. We are serving a Lenten Simple Meal from 5pm to 7pm for the Parish, each Friday during Lent, except on Good Friday. This way if people do not attend the 6pm mass, they can come over, and for those attending mass would have a chance to come over to the Hall at 630pm after mass and before the stations start at 7pm. Consider making Friday Mass and the Stations of the Cross part of your Easter Preparation for the Family! Come and help serve and enjoy the meal. These meals will continue to be offered as a Free will donation to cover the cost of the food. Menu: Friday Feb 20 th : Friday Feb 27th Vegetable Soup Manhattan Clam Chowder Penne Pasta with Marinara Sauce Penne Pasta with Marinara sauce Green Salad Green Salad Tuna Salad Rolls Tuna Salad Rolls Desserts Desserts Monthly Pancake Breakfast on Sunday Feb 22 nd.help needed from 6am to 1pm in Kitchen, cooking, serving and cleaning up, and taking items back to the shed. Please come out and help. We serve breakfast after the 8am and 1000 am masses. Sign up for Parish Blood Drive Help Needed -We will have a table after all masses at the Parish the weekend of Feb nd to register Parishioners for the Parish Blood Drive that takes place Feb 28 th. Please stop by before and after the mass you attend and help. Parish Blood Drive Feb 28 th in the Church Hall from 8am till Noon. Please make a commitment to save a life by being a BLOOD HERO by donating if you can, or help with the Blood drive. Helping with the Drive or with the signup is a wonderful way to help if you are unable to donate. ************************************************************************************************************************************** LENTEN REFLECTION: "Lent is a retreat that the Church gives us in order to re-focus on what should be first in our lives. The purpose of Jesus' life was to glorify the Father and save the world...lent is not first a time of giving up but a time to rechoose to be the victim of Christ, the Lamb. It is a time to live the Beatitudes. -Fr. Dominique, O.P., founder of the Community of St. John

3 KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 3 PRAYER FOR THE CANONIZATION OF FATHER MCGIVNEY Founder of the Knights of Columbus in 1882 God, our Father, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan, you called your priest Father Michael J. McGivney, to be an apostle of Christian family life and the lead the young to the generous service of their neighbor. Through the example of his life and virtue may we follow your Son Jesus Christ more closely, fulfilling his commandment of charity and building up his Body which is the Church. Let the inspiration of your servant prompt us to greater confidence in your love so that we may continue his work of caring for the needy and the outcast. We humbly ask that you glorify your venerable servant Father Michael J McGivney on earth according to the design of Your Holy will. Through his intercession, grant the favor I now present( make your request) Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Please report all favors received to: The Fr McGivney Guild 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven CT ************************************************************************************** PRAYERS FOR OUR SEMINARIANS Names and Addresses of the Seminarians: Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon Mundelein Seminary Pontifical North American College One Abbey Drive 1000 E Maple Avenue Vatican City State St Benedict Oregon, Mundelein, IL EUROPE Felipe Jiminez 2 nd year Philosophy Miguel Corral 1 st year theology Luke Burgis 2 nd year Theology Neil Guan - 3 rd year Philosophy **** Shawn Dresden is finished with his studies and is serving in a Parish. He was ordained to the Transitional Deaconate on December 5th, and then Easter week he will be Ordained a Priest. ***** *************************************************************************************** SJHOM IS IN GREAT NEED OF USHERS! If you are interested in becoming an Usher, please contact the Head Usher: Lino Loyola at or lino.loyola@yahoo.com Responsibilities of Ushers: Hospitality - Meet, greet and seat Parishioners before the mass. Collection - each usher will be assigned to their respective sections to pass the collection baskets before the Homily. Communion - each ushers will be standing by next to an Eucharistic Minister, Priest, or Deacon to make sure that Parishioners will consume the Host - and NOT walk away with it. Please consider helping and contact Brother Lino Loyola if you can help. ******************************************************************************************************************************** LENTEN QUOTE: And though every day a man lives may rightly be a day of repentance, yet is it in these days more becoming, more appropriate, to confess our sins, to fast, and to give alms to the poor; since in these days you may wash clean the sins of the whole year. - St. John Chrysostom

4 KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 4 **************************************************************************************************** Council Recognition ************************************************************************************************ Welcome to the Council our two new Transfer in Brothers (approved at 1/8/15 meeting) Larry Serett and Dennis Murtaugh CONGRATS TO ALL The following Brothers made their Second Degree 1/7/15 Joseph Magasambol John Bozek John Boland David Richardson The Following Brothers made their Third Degree 1/7/15 Franco Brigandi Joseph Magasambol John Boland John Bozek David Richardson The following Brother Sir Knights made their Fourth Degree Jan John Boland Onofrio Ferrara Tony Ruivivar Bill Koss Bob Pinzl Franco Brigandi David Richardson ********************************************************************************************** KNIGHT OF THE MONTH JOHN BOZEK FAMILY OF THE MONTH BOB AND ZEE ZAGBY John Mickey Bozek is honored this Month as Knight Of the Month for his help with many Fundraising activities, including the golf tournament, but Most recently the pancake breakfast..making dozens of great pancakes! Bob and Dee Zagby are our Family of the Month for January. Bob is currently serving as Deputy Grand Knight and is always there to help With Council Projects. Dee supports him in this and is an active, valued member of the Ladies Auxiliary. FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS --- Happy Birthday to all Steve Escalona Feb 1 Michael Castronova Feb 15 Rev Joseph Anthony Feb 2 Joseph DeBlase Feb 20 William Douglass Feb 5 Frank John Fuoco Feb 21 Howard Givens Jr Feb 7 Jack Stone Feb 23 Rolando Domdom Feb 8 Jeffrey McDonough Feb 23 John Falzarano Feb 9 Elliot Wayne Feb 24 Richard Babinski Feb 10 Ernest Sandberg Feb 26 John Delibos Feb 12 Mark Fraser Feb 27 Don J Thompson Feb 14 **************************************************************************************************************************************

5 KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 5 ********************************************************************************* UPCOMING EVENTS What is coming up you need to Know about: (highlighted items we need everyone s help!) Jan st Mardi Gras Dinner Ticket Sales (Plaza after all masses) February st Mardi Gras Dinner Ticket Sales (Plaza after all masses) 1 st Super Bowl Party at Thompsons Home (2:30 till.) 5th Council Meeting (7:30 PM to 9:00 PM Hall) 7th 1st Degree Ex (7:00 AM to 9:00 AM St. Francis & Clare rooms) 7th/8th Mardi Gras Dinner Ticket sales (Plaza after all masses) 11th 4th Degree Mtg MOVED from 18th (7:30 PM to 9:00 PM Corpus Christi room) 13th Mardi Gras Dinner Prep (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Kitchen & Hall) 14th Mardi Gras Dinner (9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Kitchen & Hall) (Note: Also Val s Day) 18th Ash Wednesday 20th Lenten Meal (Kitchen Prep & Hall 12:00 to 6:00) 21st & 22nd St Patrick s Dinner/ Dance Ticket sales (Plaza after all masses) 22nd Pancake Breakfast (6:00 AM to 1:00 PM Kitchen & Hall) 26th Planning meeting (7:30 PM to 9: PM St Clare room) 27th Lenten Meal (Kitchen Prep & Hall 12:00 to 6:00) 28th Parish Blood Drive, in hall from 8:00 to noon. MARCH th Council Meeting (7:30 PM to 9:00 PM Hall) 6 th Lenten Meal (Kitchen Prep & Hall 12:00 to 6:00) 7th 1st Degree Ex (7:00 AM to 9:00 AM St. Francis & Clare rooms) 7th/8th St Patrick s Dinner/ Dance Ticket sales (Plaza after all masses) 13th Lenten Meal (Kitchen Prep & Hall 10:00 to 6:00) 14th St Patrick s Dinner/ Dance (Kitchen & Hall 10:00 to 9:00) 15th Pancake Breakfast (6:00 AM to 1:00 PM Kitchen & Hall) 18th 4th Degree, 2820 Mtg (7:30 PM to 9:00 PM Corpus Christi room) 20th Lenten Meal (Kitchen Prep & Hall 12:00 to 6:00) (Also: WOSJ setup for St Joseph table 21st & 22nd) 26th Planning meeting (7:30 PM to 9: PM St Clare room) 27th Lenten Meal (Kitchen Prep & Hall 12:00 to 6:00) 29th Palm Sunday We know the schedule is busy, there is a lot highlighted, so it would be nice to see some new faces come help

6 KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 6 PEOPLE IN NEED OF PRAYERS Please continue to help our brothers, families, and friends that are in need of our prayers. Prayers are our way of asking Jesus to help! Please remember the following in your prayers Dona DeNeal, wife of PSD Kay DeNeal and mother of Kory DeNeal, went to our Lord Friday 1/16/15. They were in an auto accident and Kay, Kory, and Annette DeNeal also were injured. Please keep them in your prayers. Virginia Zappia, beloved wife of Vincent Zappia Sr, and mother of Vincent Zappia Jr, went to our Heavenly Father 12/31/14. Please keep Vincent in your prayers. Peggy Smith, wife of charter member of our Council Gene Smith, passed on to Heaven in CA. She will be buried here next to her husband. Please keep the family in your prayers. Tony Donofrio has been having serious problems with his eyesight and can use our prayers. Bob Pinzl needs our prayers for his health issues. Also Father Leo Conklin, who fills in for Father Bill at Holy Spirit. Ed Keller, long time Knight is in need of our prayers. Please pray for him and his wife Mildred. BJ Buttell and her husband Mike need our prayers for her full recovery from pain after hospital and rehab. Please continue to pray for Vince Garth (PGK) and his cure from lung Cancer. Also continue to pray for Sylvester Smith III, and his wife Marsha, as he continues to recover from illness. Ralph Vitello also needs our prayers as he is having surgery in a couple weeks. Prayers are also needed for the following Brothers and Sisters: Sharon Dupra, Louis Lanza, Mrs Peries, Leon Fuselier, Kathy Fuselier, and Jeanette Shoemaker, wife of PSD Dale Shoemaker, who is recovering from illness. Remember our Blessed Mother has a direct line and it works! Please continue to help our brothers & families with prayers. I know they will be answered! Call or visit the sick. IF YOU AREN T PRAYING THE ROSARY OFTEN YOU ARE MISSING OUT ON HER HELP! Online Rosary: comepraytherosary.org Please let me know if we should add or remove any names from the list. All Members be a part of one of the best brotherhoods and add new life-long friends. Become committee chairman, call the new members and friends for help. Do not do it alone!! NEW MEMBERS: We have many activities coming up, we know you and your families cannot participate in everything. But please participate in as much as you can!!! God Bless, Nick Ciccone, Fraternal Chairman (leave message) or luckynik@cox.net Editors Note: Brothers, As we enter our busiest season, and at the start of Lent, let us reflect on the meaning of Lent, and the sacrifices that Jesus made for us. I pray that we can all have a prayerful and spiritual Lenten season. Please prayerfully search your soul and see how you can help as a Knight. Everyone can do something to help, and this can be our mantra. I wanted to share with you a favorite quote : "Nothing, how little so ever it be, if it is suffered for God's sake, can pass without merit in the sight of God." -Thomas a Kempis As always, thoughts, contributions, and suggestions for the newsletter are welcome. Contact us at jpinzl@hotmail.com or May we all enjoy a spiritual and fruitful Lenten season. --- Robert Pinzl, Editor

7 KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 7 ****************************************************************************** THOMAS AND MACK CONCESSION STAND PROJECT ****************************************************************************** One of the Council s Biggest Fund Raisers is the Concession Booth Stands at UNLV. It takes about 13 of us to run a booth and we need more trained Volunteers! Below is what the team does: As an example of what's required, we show up about 1.5 hours before the doors open. Some help with counting open inventory, and food prep, others open a cashier drawer and prep the counter. In the last part of the event we start cleaning up and counting the ending inventory. In most cases we are out of there shortly after the event ends. Not particularly hard work and most find it a fun experience with time to visit with other Brothers and Sisters. Yes, this can be a family event. The only requirement being the front line sales help have to be 21 because of the beer. The Council provides the shirt and hat and will reimburse you the $5 cost of the required Alcohol Awareness Certification card. The point is that we need more trained volunteers to help with this fundraiser project event so we can get 13 when others can't make it, but UNLV requires all workers to be trained. The following is a list of available training dates- please consider going ASAP. Concession Booth Training: Alcohol Awareness Training: All Classes start at 545pm and will run to about 930pm From 530 to 6pm we will take pictures. Class starts at 6pm and runs till about 930pm You must be there for start of class to take exam Tuesday Jan 20 th 2015 Thursday Jan 22, 2015 Thursday Feb 26 th, 2015 Tuesday Feb 24 th, 2015 Wednesday March 18, 2015 Thursday March 19, 2015 Thurs Apr 9, 2015 Wed, April 8, 2015 TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE ALCOHOL CARDS: Please check the expiration date (they DO expire) and if your card expires during the summer then try to make the class in April. Note that there are no classes in May, June and July. Classes will start back up the last two weeks of August. Check this newsletter for fall dates. Please Contact Edgar Castro to sign up at Cell: or kimot13@cox.net *******************************************************************************

8 KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 8 St Joseph, Husband of Mary Catholic Church Knights of Columbus Council No West Sahara Avenue Las Vegas, NV Phone: Or Contact: Grand Knight: Ken Sawyer, Deputy Grand Knight: Bob Zagby, Fraternal Chairman: Nick Ciccone, Financial Secretary, Al Cuccinelli, Newsletter Editor -Robert Pinzl, Membership Director: Lamar Johnson communications: Frank Davis, SUPREME WEBSITE: Nevada State Website Council Website: A LENTEN PRAYER Dear Lord Jesus, by Your Passion and Resurrection You brought life to the world. But the glory of the Resurrection came only after the sufferings of the Passion. You laid down Your life willingly and gave up everything for us. Your body was broken and fastened to a Cross, Your clothing became the prize of soldiers, your blood ebbed slowly but surely away, and Your Mother was entrusted to the beloved disciple. Stretched out on the Cross, deprived of all earthly possessions and human aid, You cried out to Your Father that the end had come. You had accomplished the work given You, and You committed into His hands, as a perfect gift, the little life that remained to You. Lord, teach me to accept all afflictions after the example You have given. Let me place my death in Yours and my weakness in Your abandonment, Take hold of me with Your love, that same foolish love that knew no limits, and let me offer myself to the Father with You so that I may rise with You to eternal life. Amen.

9 KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 9 CALENDAR AT A GLANCE FEBRUARY 2015 Feb 1 st -Mardi Gras Ticket Sales- Plaza after all masses Feb 1 st Super Bowl Party at Thompsons -230 pm till. Feb 5 th 730-9pm Council Monthly Business Meeting Church Hall 730-9pm Ladies Auxiliary Monthly Business Meeting St Francis/Clair Room Feb 7 th am First Degree Exemplification St Francis/Clare Rm Feb 7/8 Mardi Gras dinner Sales (Plaza after all Masses) Feb pm 4 th Degree Assembly Meeting, Corpus Christi Room Feb 13 th 9am 5pm Mardi Gras Dinner Prep Kitchen and Hall Feb 14 th 9am-9pm Mardi Gras Prep and Dinner( Kitchen and Hall) Feb 18 th Ash Wednesday Feb 20 th 12pm 6pm Lenten Meal Kitchen and Hall Feb Parish Blood Drive Sign Up after all Masses Feb Ladies Auxiliary Religious Goods Sales FEB 22 6am -1pm Pancake Breakfast(Kitchen and Hall) Feb pm Council Officer Planning Meeting (St Francis/Clare Rm) Feb 27 th 12pm 6pm Lenten Meal Kitchen and Hall Feb 28 th 8am 12pm Parish Blood Drive Parish Hall MARCH 2015 March 5 th 730-9pm Council Monthly Business Meeting,Church Hall 730-9pm-Ladies Auxiliary Monthly Business Meeting, St Frances/Clare Room Mar 6 th -12-6pm Lenten Meal (kitchen) Mar 7 th 7am-9am 1 st Degree Exemplification St Frances/Clare Room Mar 7/8 St Patrick s Dinner/Dance Ticket sales Plaza after all masses Mar 13 th 12-6pm Lenten Meal(kitchen) Mar 13 th 9am -5pm Prep for St Patrick s Dinner (kitchen) Mar 14 th 1000am to 9pm -St Patrick s Dinner Dance Mar 15 th 6am -1pm Pancake Breakfast (Kitchen and Hall) Mar 15 th Ladies Auxiliary Religious Goods Sales Mar 18 th -730 to 9pm -Assembly 2820 Fourth Degree Meeting, Corpus Christi Room Mar 20 th 12pm to 6pm Lenten Meal (kitchen and hall) March 26 th pm Council Officer Planning Meeting St Clare Room March 27 th 12pm -6pm Lenten Meal (kitchen and hall) Mar 29 th Palm Sunday ***************************************************************************************************************** COUNCIL MOTTO FOR THIS FRATERNAL YEAR: Brothers, remember to kiss the frog, for if we kiss enough frogs, we are just apt to find that Prince

10 KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 10 COVER TWO PEOPLE WITH ONE POLICY In this month s article, I want to discuss a type of life insurance product with which you might not be familiar. This product offers a way for you to help your heirs meet estate settlement costs without subtracting from the total value of your estate. After all, you ve worked hard to accumulate wealth or build a business over the years and you want to pass along that value to your family, charity or church in its entirety. To this end, the Knights of Columbus designed a Survivorship Universal Life (SUL) product. SUL is a second to die, or survivorship, life insurance program that covers two people, (usually husband and wife) and the death benefit is paid upon the death of the surviving second person which is normally when an estate would be taxed. This can be an important part of an estate plan. Keep in mind, an SUL policy is one policy that covers two people. This has advantages, including a lower cost than two individual life insurance policies. It is a great option for a married couple with children. It can provide funds for the legal guardians chosen to care for children in the event both parents die, which is especially attractive to parents of a special needs child. If you have a child or children, you need life insurance. If you intend to pass on any property or wealth, you need life insurance. A SUL policy is one option that we can discuss when we meet for an insurance review. Agent Name Neil Peters Phone (702) Neil.peters@kofc.org ********************************************* NOTE: All members are encouraged to look into the annuity and insurance programs offered by the Knights. The annuities start at 100 and are a great long term investment. Go to the Supreme Council s website or Contact field agent Neil Peters above for more info or to sign up. With over $92 million in insurance and Annuities in force and 1400 service agents, the Knights are proudly fulfilling Father McGivney s vision of protecting the widows and orphans of deceased Knights. You can also plan and save for your financial security and future retirement. Please take advantage of this special fraternal service. As a Knights of Columbus member, this is a free insurance, annuity and estate planning service for you and your family. *************************************************** Ladies Auxiliary Dear Ladies We have had another busy month and I just wanted to thank you all for all of your help and support. We Had a lot of help for decorating at the Hawaiian Luau on Jan 17 th and also for the Religious goods sales on Jan th. Thank you to all who came out and helped. Please continue to pray for our sisters and families in need of prayers right now, BJ and Mike Buttell, Marsha and Sylvester Smith, the DeNeal Family, and for Virginia s soul and her husband Vince. Thanks to all who helped with meals for the families. Our Bowling Event on Jan 18 th was enjoyed by all who attended. All are encouraged to attend the bowling event when we have them. Even if you do not want to bowl, come and watch and eat and fellowship with us. It is a good chance to bond with your sisters away from the church and just have fun. Our retreat with Father Albert is Jan 31 st in the Corpus Christi Room. We will be collecting a free will donation for Father Albert s Chapel Fund during the retreat. Next Meeting is Feb 5 th at 730 pm in St Frances/Clare Rooms. We will be decorating for the Mardi Gras Dinner on Feb 14 th at 1000 am. The Dinner is Feb 14 th after the 430pm Mass. Please come out and help and attend the dinner and enjoy. We will need help serving, and staffing the money table, selling drink tickets, 50/50 raffle tickets and Raffle basket tickets. Thank you to Alicia for putting together the basket. If anyone wants to donate an item for the basket please bring to the Feb 5 th meeting. Our next Religious Goods sales is Feb nd. I would like to end with a quote for Lent; "Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting." -Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta -- Jolyn Pinzl, President Ladies Auxiliary Council 10442

11 KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 11 January 10, 2015 Fourth Degree Exemplification Congrats to all the Sir Knights Photos by Tony Ruivivar and Vilma Koss Tony Ruivivar, Bill Koss, Bob Pinzl and Frank Davis, Afton Kidd, Bill Koss, Antonio Ruivivar Tony Ruivivar, Bill Koss, Bob Pinzl, Franco Brigandi Frank Davis, Afton Kidd, Bob Pinzl, Tony Ruivivar Tony Tatalo, Frank Montesano, and Franco Brigandi Frank Davis, Tony Tatalo, Bill Koss, Chuck McCloskey

12 KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 12 JANUARY 17 th 2015 photos by Vilma Koss Fourth Degree Assemblies Hawaiian Luau The Hawaiian Musicians entertaining the crowd The crowd enjoying the food at the Luau ***************************************************************************************************************************** *****************

13 KNIGHTLY NOTES PAGE 13 POPE FRANCIS SUGGESTIONS FOR NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS When Pope Francis met before Christmas with Vatican employees, mostly lay people with families, he asked them to do 10 things. The list sounded remarkably like suggestions for New Year s resolutions: Take care of your spiritual life, your relationship with God, because this is the backbone of everything we do and everything we are. Take care of your family life, giving your children and loved ones not just money, but most of all your time, attention and love. especially on behalf of the needy. Take care of your relationships with others, transforming your faith into life and your words into good works, Be careful how you speak, purify your tongue of offensive words, vulgarity and worldly decadence. Heal wounds of the heart with the oil of forgiveness, forgiving those who have hurt us and medicating the wounds we have caused others. Look after your work, doing it with enthusiasm, humility, competence, passion and with a spirit that knows how to thank the Lord. Be careful of envy, lust, hatred and negative feelings that devour our interior peace and transform us into destroyed and destructive people. Watch out for anger that can lead to vengeance; for laziness that leads to existential euthanasia; for pointing the finger at others, which leads to pride; and for complaining continually, which leads to desperation. Take care of brothers and sisters who are weaker the elderly, the sick, the hungry, the homeless and strangers, because we will be judged on this. --Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service