Sunday afternoon at grandma’s house helping a three-year-old get dressed for 30-degree snowy weather:

“You need to put your jacket on.”
“Why?”
“It’s very cold outside.”
“Why?”
“Well, it’s winter.”
“Why?”

As we travel through our neighborhoods, it’s likely we will be reminded of the holiday or season of the month, according to which flags are flying on the homes we pass, or in many cases, the lights and decorations which adorn their properties – St. Patrick’s Day, Fourth of July, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, and, of course, Christmas.

On a recent trip to the supermarket, shoppers entered the store and were immediately struck by an 8 foot high wall of red – bouquets of red roses setup in tiers, other flowers wrapped in red paper, hearts of all sizes and shapes, some as balloons, some filled with candy, others with chocolate covered strawberries.

With every new year, Pope Francis, like many popes before him, asks that the faithful pray for a different intention each month.

Recently, I was asked to write an article about Dr. Lena Frances Edwards, a Black American Catholic, prominent physician, humanitarian and philanthropist who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her service to the poor and marginalized.

Courage is a virtue, a habit of putting good values into practice. We aim to help children develop the strength to do or say what is right and good and to overcome fear, anxiety or any negative attitude that weakens one’s confidence to do and say what is right and good. This virtue is also called fortitude.