With 865 people inside our church this past weekend, we had 44 fewer than last weekend and 737 more than the same weekend last year.  Apparently, we had a snow storm this time last year in addition to the COVID spike.  This year, the respiratory illnesses have declined sooner than anticipated.  So where is everyone?

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     I just finished watching the EWTN Live episode above in which Fr. Mitch Pacwa interviewed two of the three founders of the Hallow app.  It looks very interesting.  Before I do more research, I want to ask you a question.

     For those of you who have used Hallow or know something above it, I'd be happy to hear what you have to say about it.  Please feel free to click on the Reply button at the bottom of this page and make your comments public.  I'm not sure when I first heard about Hallow, but I became more aware of it when my sister told me about it.

     This Friday is the feast of St. Blaise.  We'll have the blessing of throats at the 8 AM daily Mass.  We'll also offer the blessing of throats at Sunday Masses this coming weekend, February 4-5.

     The front page of the Asbury Park Press has an article on chatbots and artificial intelligence.  I first heard about ChatGPT in a comic strip.  It seems that we'll need to apply morality to the use of AI sooner than I expected.  The teaching of Jesus Christ needs to be applied when new questions arise.

     St. Thomas Aquinas distinguished between three levels of faith.  First, we believe that there is a God.  Just by looking around and using our reason, we can tell that this universe is ordered and Somebody created it.  Second, we believe God.  He has revealed Himself to us in Sacred Scripture and especially in the person of Jesus Christ.  We learn about Him.  Thirdly, we believe in God.  We trust Him.  Our goal is to be with Him in Heaven.  Our whole life is oriented toward God.

     We can all grow in all three levels of faith.  This year, terrific and/or terrible things may happen.  If we trust in Jesus, then He will get us through the terrific or terrible events.  He desires and acts so that we might flourish in this life and be forever happy with Him in the next.

God love you,

Fr. Jim