Dear friends,

Thanksgiving/Christmas: seasons to not only be grateful, but to actually express our thanks to others. No doubt, most of you have sent cards, made telephone calls, texted, cooked or contributed to meals and shared Thanksgiving and Christmas time with family and friends. This celebration time of the year is special, inviting us to take time to reflect upon and name those acts that create the attitude of gratitude.

Our petitions at our Eucharist of Thanksgiving included: first and foremost, we are grateful to our God who gave his life that we might have life everlasting. We prayed for all who enhance our lives and are present to us: our biological families, our family of residents at Villa St. Benedict, and our families of volunteers, employees and friends.

I want you to hear and feel the Sisters’ and my gratitude for all who support and care for us. We give thanks and continue to pass on our legacies.

It has been my personal privilege and joy over the years to tend to Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto. This year, with a decent amount of rain and hard work from my core group of volunteers, the grotto and flowers were at their best, making this an enviable meditation space.

The spring bulbs have been planted. They now are hiding under the snow, awaiting winter to prepare them for spring, summer and fall beauty. The life, growing and dying seasons of plants echo our Liturgical year. Life and death moments are shared that give us opportunities to be fed, to be in awe and to express gratitude for the LIFE - GIVING SEED which has made heaven possible for us by His life, death and Resurrection. Let us be grateful for this SEED, who became incarnate over 2,000 years ago.

I look to the words from Scripture, especially those of the Prophet Isaiah, and reflect on the characteristics of the Messianic King. I read of leadership empowered by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, where justice prevails, where all people are challenged to take care, love and get along with others - even their enemies, as did Jesus. Our role is to continue this Christ-like leadership. I am grateful to the Holy Spirit and our Cardinals, who in prayerful discernment provided the Church with Pope Leo, who speaks out and models these characteristics.

The Christmas season ends with the Baptism of Jesus, which this year is January 11, 2026. For various reasons, this newsletter is being sent out later than usual. However, I pray that you and I continue this season of Thanksgiving/Christmas throughout the year. May we allow the spirit of gratitude to awake in us an intense appreciation for others and, more importantly, to be grateful for the gift of Jesus becoming one of us that we might be Christ to one another.

Be empowered!

Sister Mary Bratrsovsky, OSB
Prioress

Cell Phone: (630) 750-6010 or mbratrsovsky@shmlisle.org