by Father Mark Goldasich
Over the past couple of weeks, people have asked, “Did you have a good holiday season, Father?” I was tempted to answer grumpily, “Oh, was there a holiday season? I didn’t notice since I was so busy!”
I replayed the holidays in my mind: the stress of getting a Leaven done the Monday before Christmas; celebrating three Christmas Masses; coming back a couple of days later to celebrate three more Masses for the feast of the Holy Family; then, more Masses for the solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God; add to that a funeral on the Saturday after New Year’s Day and then three more Masses for Epiphany. There were, of course, Christmas cards that I was frantically trying to get written and mailed, confessions and a baptism.
Every time the “Woe is me” attitude threatened to overtake me, I reflected on this story:
A little boy was telling his grandma how “everything” was going wrong: school, family problems, sickness, etc. Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he’d like a snack. Of course, he says, “Sure!”
“Here,” Grandma says, “have some cooking oil.”
“Yuck,” says the boy.
“Well, how about a couple of raw eggs?” she asks.
“Gross, Grandma!” replies the kid.
“OK, would you like some flour then? Or some baking soda?” she suggests.
“Grandma, those are all terrible!” says the kid.
With a smile, Grandma then says, “Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they’re put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!
“God works the same way. Many times, we wonder why he would let us go through such difficult times. But God knows that when he puts all these things in his order, they always work for good! We just have to trust him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful.”
There’s great wisdom in the words of that grandma. Putting things in perspective, seeing a bigger picture, can make a world of difference.
Zooming out from all the individual tasks I did during the holidays, I could see a much different picture. Getting The Leaven done early ensured a few days of rest and relaxation for my staff and me. Celebrating all those Masses meant that I got to see so many people — including visitors from out of town and college students home on Christmas break — to wish a Merry Christmas to in person and to receive their greetings as well.
Trips to the post office box meant lots of Christmas cards mixed in with the usual bills and junk mail. Delicious treats and presents flowed my way from parishioners. I was thrilled to gather for a wonderful Christmas meal with my cousins in Lenexa, followed a few days later by a delightful gathering with even more local cousins, where the stories and laughter seemed nonstop.
Although I enjoy preaching, it was a blessing to have my deacon take the homily on Holy Family weekend. And the funeral on the first Saturday of the new year was a time to celebrate the life of a man who lived a long and fulfilling life and to comfort his family by reminding them that he was now “home for the holidays” — and all days — with the Lord.
And I can’t forget the fantastic meal out with my priest prayer group before we closed out 2025. I’m the youngest member — a fact I rarely pass up reminding them of — but am so humbled and inspired by their friendship and many years of dedication to priestly service.
So, how did I answer people when they asked about my holiday season? What else could I say but, “It was truly delightful! I felt blessed — over and over again!”
