These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.

Saint Stephen, First Martyr, Octave of Christmas, December 26

As they were stoning Stephen, he called out "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." (Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122625.cfm
In his first Christmas Urbi et Orbe Message, Pope Leo said that responsibility is the sure way to peace. Those who do not love are not saved; they are lost. And those who do not love their brother or sister whom they see, cannot love God whom they do not see (cf. 1 Jn 4:20). Saint Stephen’s birthday into heaven has pride of honor, the next day after Christmas, the birthday of the Lord. Today I remember my uncle, +Percy Irving Torp, who was born on this day in 1936 and died on December 30, 1985. https://youtu.be/n1MiPD6Wiik?si=1EZufKuCbLgtXIHY