2024-11-29-eEdition

NOVEMBER 29, 2024 THE CATHOLIC WEEK PAGE 3 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary December 9 oneliness. The subject comes up quite often in the media, especially during the holiday season, that “most wonderful time of the year.” Recently, U.S. Surgeon Gen- eral Vivek H.Murthy released a study identifying loneliness as a growing public health epidemic. Entitled "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation," the study’s report asserts that even before the COVID-19 pandem- ic, about half of U.S. adults re- ported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness.The physical consequences of this loneliness are serious — isolation increases the risk of premature death almost as much as smoking and obesity. Our Epidemic of Loneli- ness and Isolation identifies six “pillars of change” intended to combat loneliness. Dr.Murthy hopes these concepts will guide future social and health policy at every level. The sixth of these pillars, cul- tivating a culture of connection, is something we can all work on. Dr.Murthy observes that food is central to building a culture of connection. “When we gather with others around food, we not only feed our bod- ies but also nourish our spirits,” he wrote. Dr.Murthy has published a practical guidebook entitled "Recipes for Connection, Inspir- ing Social Connection One Bite at a Time." One of the book’s “inspirations for gathering”is most appropriate as we prepare forThanksgiving and Christmas.“Gratitude acts as a powerful glue, a reminder of love and kindness that brings us closer to our friends, family,and community. It feels good to show appreciation — for you and the person receiving your thanks. Who’s someone you would like to thank?” This is a very meaning- ful question as we prepare for Thanksgiving. We might also ask ourselves if we are aware of someone who is especially lonely and in need of attention and affection as the holidays approach, even if we may not feel naturally drawn to them. If someone like this comes to mind, don’t delay! Give them a call and suggest getting together for a meal or a cup of coffee. Food can serve as a powerful force for forging deeper con- nections.Through the rituals of cooking and eating, we feed our friendships, creating lasting memories one bite at a time. Hopefully, our commitment to practicing this ministry of presence will extend well beyond the Christmas season. Know- ing how to walk with and listen to others mirrors Pope Francis’ aspiration for the church. Listening is more than hearing, the pope has said. “It is reciprocal listening in which ev- eryone has something to learn.” Through a shared meal with someone older and more expe- rienced than yourself, you might even learn how to be a better cook! Pope Francis’ vision is inspir- ing. For him, synodality’s goal is to “plant dreams, draw forth prophecies and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, bind up wounds, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope …and create a bright resourcefulness that will en- lighten minds, warm hearts, give strength to our hands.” Although the Synod on Synodality is over, the Jubilee Year of Hope beginning on Christmas Day picks up where it left off, encouraging us to reach out to others while at the same time helping ourselves. As we read in the Vatican’s decree on the Jubilee Indulgence, “In a special way ‘during the Holy Year, we are called to be tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind’ (Spes non confundit, 10) …The faithful, following the example and mandate of Christ, are encouraged to carry out works of charity or mercy more fre- quently, especially in the service of those brothers and sisters who are burdened by various needs.” Such works of charity can help us to obtain the Jubilee Indulgence, releasing us from the consequences of sin. We ourselves thus benefit spiritually when we visit our brothers and sisters in need or difficulty, “in a sense making a pilgrimage to Christ present in them (cf.Mt 25:34-36).” I love this phrase because it reminds me of the words of Saint Jeanne Jugan, our found- ress, “Never forget that the Poor DECEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 14 DAILY READINGS Sun., December 1 Jer 33:14-16 Ps 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14 1 Thes 3:12—4:2 Lk 21:25-28, 34-36 Mon., December 2 Is 2:1-5 Ps 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9 Mt 8:5-11 Tues., December 3 Is 11:1-10 Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 Lk 10:21-24 Wed., December 4 Is 25:6-10a Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Mt 15:29-37 Thurs., December 5 Is 26:1-6 Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a Mt 7:21, 24-27 Fri., December 6 Is 29:17-24 Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14 Mt 9:27-31 Sat., December 7 Is 30:19-21, 23-26 Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 Mt 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8 Sun., December 8 Bar 5:1-9 Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 Phil 1:4-6, 8-11 Lk 3:1-6 Mon., December 9 Gn 3:9-15, 20 Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 Eph 1:3-6, 11-12 Lk 1:26-38 Tues., December 10 Is 40:1-11 Ps 96:1-2, 3 and 10ac, 11-12, 13 Mt 18:12-14 Wed., December 11 Is 40:25-31 Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10 Mt 11:28-30 Thurs., December 12 Zec 2:14-17 Judith 13:18bcde, 19 LK 1:26-38 Fri., December 13 Is 48:17-19 Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 Mt 11:16-19 Sat., December 14 Sir 48:1-4, 9-11 Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16, 18-19 Mt 17:9a, 10-13 PROGRAMSCHEDULE www.catholicinamerica.com Dec. 1: Why This Millennial Became a Catholic Priest Dec. 8: Why Protestants Are Wrong About Mary WJTC UTV 44 Mobile/Pensacola—6 am Sunday WTVY CW 3 Dothan—11 am Sundays LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR The scourge of loneliness and the ‘culture of connection’ L Archbishop’s Schedule December 3-December 15 Tue Dec 3 10:00 a.m. Cathedral Rectory, St. Ignatius Fourth Graders Decorate the Christmas Tree Fri Dec 6 3:30 p.m. Cathedral Rectory, Retirement Reception for Mrs.Marilyn King, Executive Director for Catholic Social Services Sat Dec 7 8:30 a.m. Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Parish, Mass Followed by Men of St. Joseph Meeting Sun Dec 8 10:00 a.m. St. Columba Parish, Dothan,Mass 1:00 p.m. St. Columba Parish, Dothan, Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass Fri Dec 13 3:30 p.m. Cathedral Rectory, Retirement Reception for Mrs.Michele Smith, Executive Director for Financial Services Sat Dec 14 10:00 a.m. Kilby Correctional Center,Montgomery, Mass Sun Dec 15 10:00 a.m. St. John the Baptist Parish, Grand Bay, Mass and Confirmation Archdiocesan Clergy Deceased in December 3 Reverend George A. Callahan........................................................1953 4 Right Reverend Dominic Manucy................................................1885 Most Reverend Thomas J. Toolen...............................................1976 Reverend Monsignor James D. Kirwan ...................................1992 7 Reverend Louis H. Galland.............................................................. 1906 Reverend Joseph C. Gill..................................................................... 1996 8 Reverend Louis Russell Biven........................................................2017 Deacon Joseph H. Phung................................................................. 2022 9 Reverend William deMouy............................................................... 1918 11 Reverend John Bratton .......................................................................1942 Reverend Michael Caswell................................................................1971 Reverend Monsignor Thomas M. Cullen ...............................1987 Reverend William L. Shire............................................................... 1997 12 Reverend GaryWilliams....................................................................2007 15 Reverend Thomas M. Cassidy........................................................1938 16 Right Reverend Walter J. Tobin .....................................................1957 17 Reverend A. Heibel..................................................................................1917 21 Reverend Francis C. Doyle ...............................................................1937 Reverend John F. Cogan ....................................................................1954 Reverend Monsignor Harold A. Sherman..............................1984 23 Reverend James J. Boland ...............................................................1976 Deacon Terrence L. Anderson ......................................................2020 Reverend Monsignor Michael D. Kelly....................................2007 26 Reverend Leo J. Blanchet ................................................................. 2011 28 Reverend Frederick O. Hughes.....................................................1964 30 Reverend Brendan Joseph Keller ...............................................2013 are Our Lord …It is Jesus whom you care for in them.” “Belonging isn’t just a nice bonus — it’s a human necessity,” Dr.Murthy wrote in Recipes for Connection. I think Pope Francis, and Je- sus Christ himself — who came among us in his Incarnation to convince us how much he loves us – would concur. So, let’s pull out our favor- ite recipes, or order a culinary favorite from Grub Hub, invite some friends or neighbors over and allow hope to flourish as we weave dreams together! — Sister Constance Veit is the communications director for the Little Sisters of the Poor in the United States and an occupational therapist. Sister Constance Veit, l.s.p.