Shape Up Your Faith This Year
How to incorporate health and mindfulness into your faith life.
Many of us set goals at the beginning of the calendar year and becoming healthier is often one of them. One of the best things I have done for myself is to establish a regular exercise routine. It isn’t perfect, but it works for me, and I am healthier, stronger and happier because of it.
Prayer and Eucharist are the cardio of a spiritual life. While it can be difficult to set aside time, both are needed on a regular basis to grow our relationship with God to make us stronger and more resilient to life’s challenges.
Your spiritual goal is kind of like going to the gym. When you start out, take it slowly so you don’t do too much and quit altogether. Receive the Eucharist on Sunday to focus the week on God, but take it up a notch and consider adding a daily Mass
or spending time before the Blessed Sacrament in adoration.
If your prayer routine is limited, try praying before meals (even at restaurants), then add prayer using a daily devotion or the daily examen to help you see God working in your life. Work up to sitting quietly with God. It’s often the best, and most difficult, prayer because we quietly open ourselves to what God speaks in our hearts.
When you are ready, take on the heavy weights: attend a weekly Bible study or retreat. There are many opportunities for both at St. Ann’s, at the Ignatius House on Riverside Drive and at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers. The key is to try many things and see what works for you. Everyone’s relationship with God is different and it’s easy to be preoccupied with our daily activities and forget about our spiritual lives.
This year, make prayer, receiving the Eucharist, and growing your relationship with God your goal and all others will fall into place.
— Stephanie Holden is director of Encounter adult faith ministry.
Pictured: Members of the St. Ann Council of Catholic Women and Parish Nurse, Linda Walsh gather at a Sister Talk event, fall 2023.
