A Look Back at 2021

Some posts, some lessons, and some random thoughts

2021.

Definitely not the way I thought the year would go.

It’s been a year of incredible beauty and agony.

And I wouldn't have had it any other way.

There were more First Vows, Final Vows, and Ordinations than ever before.

There were more pro-life events. More Eucharistic processions. More of everything.

And I was almost killed in an accident and learned that God's Grace knows no bounds. I also learned that when the chips are down, people rise up. I have never experienced such a profound outpouring of love in my life.

If I were to sum up the year in one word, it would be this;

Inspiring.

I hope in some way through the years articles and posts you catch at least a glimpse of that.

So here's some highlights.

You can see the full caption of each photo by clicking on it, which will take you right to the original post.

And on that note

Some Posts…

Christmas in New York

The Sisters of Life Nativity Play. Next year you should go. To stand in the middle of the church with countless children milling about, parents attempting to get them to their places, and the Sisters narrating the story of the birth of Jesus... It's just perfect. It's everything that's right in the world.

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Standing for Life

40 Days for Life. Each year there’s a few of these events in the Big Apple, and this year’s ended with a Eucharistic Procession right down 42nd Street.

It was reminiscent of processions from days gone by… But here’s the thing. They aren’t something in the past because they’re still happening today :-) I think that’s amazing.

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The Growing Church

First Vows, Final Vows and Ordinations. God in His infinite Mercy continues to Call.

And those called continue to lay their lives down for Christ and His Church.

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Witness for Life

One of the most visible expressions of Faith on the city streets is the Witness for Life. AThe typical day would begin with Mass and Adoration, followed by a Rosary Procession to a nearby abortion clinic. They occur in each of the 5 Boroughs and several towns beyond the city limits.

Okay.

If you want to glimpse heroic Faith, this is the place. Sometimes it’s quiet and contemplative where you can ‘feel’ hearts turning themselves to Christ. And other times, it’s in the face of ruthless persecution where the resolve of living martyrs shows through in all its beauty and power.

View the schedule at the Respect Life Office of the Archdiocese of New York

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On the Streets

On any given day, something is going on in the Big City. There are outreaches to the homeless and those living in poverty. Educational outreaches to children in the inner city. There’s addiction counseling, aid for mothers facing an unplanned pregnancy.

Essentially, if there’s a need, the church is there in some capacity.

And then there are the celebrations of faith. Some are massive, like the San Gennaro Festival lower Manhattan, and some are not so massive, like the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes in the South Bronx. But they’re everywhere…

I’ll close with this.

The Faith is vibrant and alive, bringing the Gospel Message through Word and Witness to a city hellbent on its own moral collapse.

It’s not a new story. In fact, it’s the way it’s always been; Nineveh, Jericho, etc.…

I’m also here to tell you this.

You matter.

Your Faith. Your witness. Your prayers. Your Life.

You matter because the Maker of everything in the entire universe cared enough to make you and Loves you with perfect Love.

So perhaps in the upcoming year, resolve to make a difference wherever you are. Whatever your circumstance.

Love more.

Pray more.

Witness more.

Because in the end, your joy, your salvation, your fulfillment all hinge on how passionately we embrace the Grace He offers.

Wishing you a Blessed and brilliant New Year,

God Bless, Jeff