Some of my greatest pleasures as a writer and editor are the notes I  received from readers over the years. Some continue to stay in contact, and I have come to consider them as friends. I have kept almost all the notes I have received during the past 25 years, and, occasionally, while cleaning out my files, I take them out and re-read them.

Recently, a very dear friend mentioned that all three of her daughters, married with children, were selling their houses simultaneously. The first of the houses had sold within a week of being on the market.

I was happy for them but recalled the very long and painful experience of trying to sell our house at the New Jersey shore several years after Super Storm Sandy destroyed our neighborhood.

To say this has been an unusual year would be an understatement. It has been a year of significant challenges, struggles, and disappointments. Many of us are obligated to get to know our families better by spending every waking moment in their company. It has also been a time of prayer, or at least interior cries of "God, help me!"

One of my favorite things about virtual Masses has been hearing the different hymn selections at various parishes, especially those parishes in other countries.

When I tuned into this past Sunday's Mass, a lovely voice sang the opening hymn words, "All are welcome in this place."

I hadn't heard this hymn since my days in catechetical service when it was sung at many religious educators' conferences.