Dear Saints,
Earlier this year the Surgeon General released a sobering report about the loneliness epidemic gripping the country. Despite (or maybe because of) record phone ownership and the explosion of digital social platforms, rates of loneliness and lack of connection are sky-high. We’re all spending far less time in the company of other people, with teens and young adults aged 15-24 suffering the greatest plunge: 70% less social interaction than just twenty years ago. According to the advisory, the ill effects of this isolation are for many people akin to smoking 15 cigarettes a day: 29% increased risk of heart disease; 32% increased risk of stroke; 50% increased risk of developing dementia for older adults.
The good news is that it’s not inevitable or irreversible. Families can prioritize togetherness and minimize (or eliminate!) screen time. Civic institutions can strengthen social infrastructure. And we as a parish community can cultivate a culture of connection. One key to connectedness is good communication, and to that end I want to remind you of the many ways we try to keep you in the loop. First, I send out a weekly email every Saturday morning that includes practical news and notes as well as a short reflection on the Sunday readings. If you’re not already signed up, email admin@olmcboonton.org to add your name to the distribution list. Second, you can stay connected through our podcast, which features my daily homilies and can be found on iTunes or podbean.com. It’s not very excitingly named (“Father Daniel’s Homilies”), but did recently earn the number 5 spot on FeedSpot’s “10 Best Eucharist Podcasts” for 2023. Finally, our website is a great source of information, so check it out frequently at www.olmc.church. Of course, these avenues of communication are essential but insufficient. For genuine connection, our community needs to spend time together, enjoying shared pursuits and working towards common goals. Whether that’s at Mass this weekend or one of our many ministries, I hope you’ll join us, and I look forward to seeing you soon!
Christ’s Peace,
Father Daniel
δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ