ENTERING THE FALL SEASON:

CREATING SPACES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

FALL 2025 | FR. MARK CRUZ, AM

At the changing of each season, we enter a space and time where daylight either gets longer or shorter and plants around us grow, change color or wither and fade.

These changes that come also encourage our minds and bodies to adapt to whatever weather is to come. We put on more layers when it is cold or change to our shorts and short sleeve shirts when it’s warm and sunny. Our way of thinking is affected by the changing of time and season as well.


Entering Fall, we adjust our thoughts, thinking that the days will be shorter, the warm weather will shift to becoming a little bit colder. Soon leaves will turn yellow, red or brown and then wither and fall. As we embrace autumn, there is so much in our faith that is relevant to the season’s change. Part of the process of growing towards the hope that God has for us is our openness to learning to let go of the things we hold on to, especially the things that may be preventing us from growing in life and becoming fruitful.


Like a tree that gently forgos its yellow, golden-brown leaves in order to grow again when spring comes, there are moments in life when the season is asking us to get rid of the things that may hinder us from moving forward in life. The unnecessary and unhealthy grudge we have against someone, the frustrations we have towards ourselves that prevent us from freely pursuing our goals and visions, or the vices, attitudes and habits that need to be left behind. The changing of each season provides inspiration that allows us to look inside our hearts and make the decision to pursue personal growth and spiritual development.


This season teaches us that sometimes to grow, we must also learn to ‘let go’. It calls for the shedding of what we do not need to give space for what would make us grow and bloom. It is a time where we can create space for new beginnings and development. While there are times that ‘letting go’ may make us feel scared or anxious, it is in the gentle release of what we may need to give up in our lives, as well as the things that God is asking us to surrender to Him, that ultimately also gives us the space to embrace and hold new beginnings. Saint Louise de Marillac, insightfully wrote, “Certainly it is the great secret of the spiritual life to abandon to God all that we love, by abandoning ourselves to all that He wills”.


As a community, entering the fall season coincides with the start of many faith enrichment programs and activities here at Saint Irenaeus. It is a time when we create, develop and provide space for spiritual growth and well-being to the members of our community. Whether it’s the Adult Faith Formation, the Family Masses, the Confirmation Programs, or the new Young Adult and College Outreach Ministry, we are all being encouraged

to take part in entering a spiritual season that invites us all to create that sacred space and time for growth in our faith-life, shedding the unnecessary elements of the past that prevented us from growing spiritually and moving forward towards the season when our faith grows deeper and fruitful.