Making a Fresh Start

One of the great gifts of the practice of our Catholic faith is that we have many opportunities in the course of the year to make new beginnings and fresh starts. What the world only has on New Year's Day, we also have on Ash Wednesday and the first Sunday of Advent.

To make a fresh start in our nutritional practice, follow what works for you. Here's an example of a plan:

• Think and reflect about the occasions of bad habits and slips and how they may be avoided or counteracted.
• Ask God for the grace of willingness to change.
• Ask the intercessions of Mary and the saints who are dear to you.
• Make the best confession you can.
• Be fortified through Holy Communion.
• Stay vigilant and thank God for His desire to give you the grace of conversion, even when we're not quite ready to accept it.