“He is with us” may seem like a basic concept of Christianity, but it is essential to the understanding of faith. As we encounter difficult times, the hardships overwhelm us. Our struggles surface emotionally, physically and spiritually.

If you have had the pleasure of attending one of the many beautiful Archdiocesan Masses and or events at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and come across a group of African American women elegantly dressed in black adorned with red scarves, serving as greeters for an event, then you have come across members of the Sisters in the Spirit of Houston.

My dear mother taught my siblings and me all of our basic prayers, and the first I learned from her was making the Sign of the Cross. It is probably the most repetitive of prayers in our faith and can, at times, be overlooked or perhaps rushed through so that we can get to the activity, meal or in the pew as we take our seat during Mass.

Song and music are gifts capable of touching the hearts of young people, drawing them out of spirals of anxiety and bringing them closer to God, Pope Francis said.

Every month, the children residing at Kidz Harbor, a temporary shelter and long-term care facility located southeast of Houston, eagerly anticipate the arrival of a special group known as “the church in the purple shirts” — dedicated volunteers from St. Helen Catholic Church’s youth ministry in Pearland.

A few years ago, I started to pray using the Examen of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Everything changed for me. Prayer took on a new, refreshing character. I became an evangelist for the Examen. I buttonholed friends, wrote blog posts and a book, and recorded guided Examens on the internet. I did everything I could to spread the news about this way of praying.

Since 1974, the Archdiocese has developed a ministry to focus on adults 65 and older.

The joy that flowed from the celebration of holy Christmas is fulfilled today in the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. T

I hope and pray that you had a blessed Advent and Christmas season. Over the past few weeks, we have spent time preparing our homes with decorations, exchanging gifts with loved ones, perhaps making a New Year’s resolution, and spiritually developing our hearts for the coming of the Lord.