Happy New Year, Everyone:

I hope that all of you had a most blessed Christmas Holiday.  Mine was quite nice.  I attended midnight mass on Christmas Eve and it was wonderful.  The solemnity of Catholic rituals helps to focus my thoughts on the more spiritual aspects of this very special time of the year.

Now, it is time to focus our attention towards the upcoming New Year.  2008 was quite a year, indeed.  The international financial markets have been in constant turmoil due in part to the instability of the U. S. economy.  Unfortunately, the backbone of our economy, the American worker, has been experiencing a constantly eroding job market which has produced fewer stable, well-paying jobs.  In turn, the inability of American workers to service their debts has led to a “severe economic correction” or “recession”.  It’s natural for economies to increase and decrease.  Anything that goes up will come down.  Recessions occur when one or more major components that generate economic activity are considerably “out of balance”.  Too many major players were reaching for “quick fixes” to prop up their troubled balance sheets but our consumer based economy collapsed right from under them.  What we are witnessing is a phoenix that has crashed and burned only to be reborn again.  2009 will force major components of our economy to “restructure” or “die”.    It won’t be easy, but it must be done.

Looking on the bright side, the United States of America will inaugurate its’ first African American as President.  Our 44^th president, Barack H. Obama will have his hands full but he is committed to addressing some very tough issues that just won’t simply “go away”.  He has chosen an experienced, competent cabinet of high level administrators.  As long as he is capable of keeping everyone’s energies focused on ‘the big picture”, things will improve.  I will keep him and his administration in my prayers.  They’re going to need them!

As far as I’m concerned, mankind’s existence has always been “a work in progress”.  History has a tendency “to repeat itself” when societies do not deal with adversity and change in a humane, constructive fashion.  Mankind, as a whole, has come to a crossroad.  I pray that we choose wisely.

May Peace Be With All Of You,

Sistah Selah