Grapes of Anticipation 2023

Happy New Year 2023!

Now that we've said farewell to 2022 and it has entered into our memories, it's back to a blank slate as the new year of 2023 lies open before us.

As I think about what's ahead, I use the Spanish custom of consuming 12 grapes to guide my reflection on what I anticipate.

Grape #1: Mom was eager to book a stay in the Washington, D.C., area for May into the earliest part of June, and I'm just as eager to be there again for lots of great sightseeing and time with family.

Grape #2: Among the family birthdays I look forward to celebrating this year include my cousin Ava at 10, and Aunt Carmen at 90, and for the latter, I've already set my sights on going to Denver for what will surely be a big celebration at the end of July.

Grape #3: I eagerly await celebrating the 10th anniversary of my trip to St. Augustine.

Grape #4: I'm certainly looking forward to celebrating the 10th anniversary of my ValpU graduation.

Grape #5: Having landed a great job at Concordia University Chicago, I'm looking forward to getting to know the CUC community even more this year and the ways I can contribute to its mission.

Grape #6: While I have no plans to travel to Portugal for World Youth Day 2023, I intend to follow the proceedings, and I will aim to participate in US-based concurrent events, recalling my marvelous experience at WYD 2019.

Grape #7: I'm ready to engage in community affairs with local elections scheduled for April.

Grape #8: The entertainment division of Relevant Radio, the Merry Beggars, launched a new radio program series, On the Night Train, back in September 2022.  It went on break for Advent/Christmastime, and I'm eager for its resumption later this month and to continue following the journey, because it is such a great show!

Grape #9: The Eucharistic Revival launched on June 19, 2022, and I look forward to what will unfold when the next phase launches in June, where the focus will shift to the parish level.

Grape #10: I'm looking ahead to the wedding of my cousin, set for December in Las Vegas.

Grape #11: This August will mark 5 years since I joined the Knights of Columbus when Council #17080 formed at Ascension Parish.  Even as I celebrate that milestone, I'm keeping an eye out for how I can be involved as we serve our community.

Grape #12: A year ago this month, the Archdiocese of Chicago formed two new parishes by unifying pairs of parishes in Oak Park.  I'm looking ahead to how I can be involved in the new initiatives that result.  I certainly have an eye for how this will contribute to the work of evangelization, even as I do my part to form the young people in my charge in Religious Education class.

At this nexus point, as the year of 2022 has given way to the new year of 2023, I am fully aware of how connected I am with what is around me, and I declare: All my relations.

I commend this year to the grace of God, awaiting the works He shall do through all of us.

Joy to the world!  O Come, let us adore Him! With Mary, my soul magnifies the Lord.