In fact, we do it every time we go to confession. When we go to confession, we acknowledge the past while recognizing that the Lord wants us to do something new. That way we can lean into new opportunities the Lord is providing for us and make a resolution “to sin no more and avoid the near occasion of sin.”

At the beginning of this new year, you have likely come up with some resolutions of your own. Maybe to stay away from sweets or to go to the gym more often. But it is important for us to take stock of where we are in our relationship with the Lord and to make some resolutions related to how we can better serve Him and our neighbor. 

Bishop Parkes has given us plenty to consider with the publication of our new diocesan pastoral plan, A Call to Conversion: Courageously Living the Gospel. From the call to live out a life-changing encounter with Christ to the three priorities the plan is rooted in, this document is rich with ideas for courageous new year’s resolutions.

The plan is based on three priorities that all of us should make our own: (1) Placing God first in all things, (2) Loving as God loves and serving as Christ serves, and (3) Going forth to make disciples. 

What are some concrete resolutions we could make to live lives defined by these priorities, or in other words, defined by our relationship with the Lord? 

Perhaps we could resolve to pray each day, either individually or as a family. Prayer may seem daunting, but to put it simply, prayer is having a conversation with the Lord. Maybe each morning when you wake up you could simply tell Him, “Thank you Lord for another day!” Or as you gather as a family before bed you could share together with Him what you are grateful for or how you saw Him working in your day. All of these things would help in placing God first.

There are many opportunities to love and serve our neighbors in our everyday lives. Maybe you could commit to visiting a homebound member of your parish community, or volunteering to feed the hungry at your local St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. I would also encourage you to find ways to serve those in need as a family, such as putting together care packages for the homeless.

And what better way to make disciples than to invite those who have fallen out of the practice of the Faith to attend Mass with you? We all know friends and family members who no longer attend Mass on a regular basis. This is something all of us can do, young and old alike. As Bishop Parkes often says, imagine the difference it would make if we would all bring one person to Mass with us each week. We would have to start expanding our churches!

As you can see, there are plenty of ideas for courageous new year’s resolutions contained in our diocesan pastoral plan. I would encourage you to see for yourself and to prayerfully discern how the Lord is inviting you to serve Him and your neighbor in this new year.