2025 is here!
And as you know, many will start the year with higher-than-life resolutions. Resolutions are a good thing. But I never believed one needed to wait until the beginning of the year to make them. We can start anew every day, anytime. As long as we are here on Earth, there’s time. For Catholics, the best way to start anew, if you ask me, is going to Confession.
But I digress.
As long as we are considering resolutions, let us think of those which not only enhance our careers but also deepen our faith and contribute positively to our communities. As Catholic professionals, our faith provides a unique framework for setting goals that nourish our spirit, strengthen our witness, and guide us in our everyday work.
Here are some suggestions to consider as your 2025 new year resolutions:
1. Prioritize A Plan for Spiritual Life
We say it during the TLI program and repeat it often. The spiritual battle starts within. We must overcome ourselves. We must grow interiorly. We must commit to a structured, consistent and intentional plan of interior life. This is our plan of prayer and sacramental life. Without it, we are useless. Or let’s just say, without it we are not nearly as effective as we would be. In the busyness of professional life, it’s easy to neglect our soul. One powerful resolution is to commit to daily prayer, committing to set times during the day or the week to pray the Rosary, the Angelus, etc. Check out Building Spiritual Structure Into Your Family Life for more.
2. Find a Spiritual Director
I put the “finding” part as the resolution itself because I know how hard it is. Priests are the ideal spiritual directors because you can knock off spiritual direction and confession in one visit. (These are two different things). But the reality is most priests are too busy to take on you on a regular basis. Don’t take it personal, keep looking! A nun or consecrated religious would make a good spiritual director, but so would a lay person. Do not dismiss either. There are many well-formed, committed and mature lay Catholics who would make terrific spiritual directors. If you ask me, this is the most underutilized spiritual resource in Catholicism. Find yourself a spiritual director! That will be half the battle. Then, you must commit to recurring spiritual direction.
3. Commit to an Annual Retreat
As long as we are still on the interior life theme, add an annual retreat to your resolutions. You have the whole year to get this one done. But be sure to find one, register for it and schedule it ASAP. If it costs money, pay for it and book your flight, if you will need one, right away. Once you have skin in the game, it will be more difficult to back down from it. The Church offers multiple opportunities for this. Ask in your parish. And definitely check out Tepeyac Leadership’s annual retreat. This year it is offered both in Mexico City and Fatima.
4. Cultivate Virtue in the Workplace
This year, resolve to model virtues like integrity, patience, and humility in your professional life. Just like a muscle, virtue is developed by exercising it. There’s nothing mysterious about virtue. Serve your colleagues and clients with a spirit of charity, remembering that your work is an opportunity to live out your faith in action. Whether it’s through ethical decision-making, active listening, or helping others thrive in their roles, small acts of kindness are a powerful witness to Christ.
5. Foster Personal and Professional Growth
Growth is a key aspect of our faith, and it should apply to our spiritual, personal and professional lives. St. Josemaría Escrivá said, "An hour of study, for a modern apostle, is an hour of prayer." This year, set a goal to deepen your understanding of Catholic teachings through reading, attending seminars, or participating in online courses. At work, seek out mentors who can help you grow not only in your profession but in your personal and spiritual life as well. As Catholics we must look at growth in an integral manner, without neglecting any area of our lives.
6. Practice Gratitude and Joy
Finally, make it a point to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and joy in your daily interactions. The challenges of professional life can sometimes be overwhelming, but by choosing to focus on God’s blessings, we invite more peace and positivity into our hearts and work. The world uses the word "happiness," but I don’t remember Our Lord ever promising that to us. I do remember Him saying, “My peace I leave you.” Gratitude and joy will give you peace. Try it!
May 2025 bring growth, peace, and a deeper sense of purpose to you and your loved ones. Let us pray for each other as we seek to live our faith with integrity and excellence in all that we do.
P.S. While we are on the topic of gratitude… if you haven’t already, I would be grateful for your generosity in becoming a monthly financial supporter of Tepeyac Leadership by clicking here. That would make an awesome resolution too.
