Premiere New Year Resolution

In the beginning of this New Year of 2026, many people are buzzing about New Year resolutions. Ideas about exercising more, eating in a healthier way, staying in closer contact with family and friends, and becoming more organized are discussed. All these resolutions and others are laudable to be sure. There is one resolution that I believe is premiere. It is prayer.
             
Fourteen to fifteen minutes is approximately 1 percent of a twenty-four hour day.  Are we spending 1 percent of our day in communication with God? How much of twenty- four hours do we believe we should spend in prayer each day? Mass is about 30 minutes. The Rosary can be prayed in about 20 minutes. It is amazing how much good spending fifteen minutes reading Sacred Scripture can do for us. What about 15 to 30 minutes in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament?  
            
Dear friends, the resolution that absolutely will change your life and from which all other resolutions and blessings flow is the resolution to begin to pray more and in earnest. Will you join me in making the premiere New Year resolution? As St. Paul admonishes us, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing.” (Thes 5: 16-18)
 
Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid
Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh