6 Ways to Grow in Faith this Year

Sherry Hayes-Peirce maintains that it's not too late to set a goal of growing spiritually.

In January, we focus on making changes in the New Year. We often review metrics from the past year to gauge what works and where changes are needed. This process of reflection and goal-setting is empowering. For example, January typically sees an uptick in gym memberships because people commit to losing weight. Downloads of money-management apps, skyrocket, and people take control of their finances and save money. There’s even a movement for a “Dry January” to start the year by curbing alcohol consumption.   

Receiving the Catholic Mother’s Planner, which has a page for the user to list a Catholic New Year’s Resolution, was a significant moment for me. Filling in the page caused me to reflect deeply on things I should do to grow my faith in the year ahead. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of self-reflection in the New Year.

Here are six things you can do to grow your faith in 2025. 

Attend Mass regularly 

Attending Mass is an obligation and a joyous opportunity to grow your faith. The metric for this is simple: Out of 52 weeks, how many did I miss? Shifting my perspective, I began to see Mass as a chance for the Lord to speak to me through his word and live in me through receiving His Body and Blood. I even started attending Mass on at least one additional day during the week. This change in mindset made me listen more intently to the readings and Gospel, eager to hear His message for me in the shared word.  

The Eucharist, although the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine for the weak. (Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium) 

Be reconciled with Our Lord 

Receiving the Eucharist is a transformative experience that nourishes our souls. The sacrament of reconciliation is equally powerful. Sin separates us from God, but we are always welcomed back into His loving embrace when we seek absolution. This is why it’s crucial to actively seek opportunities to reflect on which sinful behaviors separate us from our Lord. One tool I use to reflect on my sins is to practice the Ignatian Examen regularly. The USCCB also provides specific examinations of conscience based on age and marital status. There are also digital options, such as the Hallow app, to prepare you for confession.   

Call on the saints to intercede for you

I have presented a workshop at several Catholic conferences titled “Whatever you are going through, there’s a saint for that.” The session begins by asking attendees to write down three things they may struggle with. Then, I direct them to initiate a Google search and type in the words “patron saint of [one of their struggles"]. Around the room, people were surprised to see that there was a specific saint for whom they could pray for intercession.

Then I would ask them who the saint of the day was. The response was usually one or two names, but if you visit Catholic.org, there are many more than that — our Communion of Saints numbers more than ten thousand. Invariably, one or more of these saints can intercede for whatever you are struggling with.  

Read or listen to the Word of God daily  

Many will start a Bible in a Year series at this time. God speaks to us through his words in Scripture. Sitting in a pew during Mass, I often listen to the lector proclaim the readings and hear a word or phrase that connects to something happening in my life. The Psalms are like a well of resources to dip into when thirsty for wisdom. A simple way to incorporate Scripture daily is to listen to the USCCB podcast as part of your daily commute or routine — or use a copy of the Magnificat, daily devotional, or read the Bible.  

Spend time in Adoration 

Spending time in the presence of our Lord in Adoration creates a place to wait for God to speak to us. It is powerful whenever I am in this sacred space, whether inside a church or in a football stadium, like the one where the Eucharistic Congress happened; He is present. It is the only place where my mind stops churning. When my mind is quiet, my ears open wide to hear what the Lord is trying to tell me. I encourage you to make a weekly pilgrimage to a local Adoration Chapel.  

Practice the Corporal Works of Mercy often

Our faith tradition shares seven corporal works of mercy to be the hands and feet of Jesus: Feed the hungry, Give drinks to the thirsty, Clothe the naked, Shelter the homeless, Visit the sick, Visit the imprisoned, and Bury the dead. Seek opportunities to do a work of mercy in the year ahead.  

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Copyright 2025 Sherry Hayes-Peirce
Images: (center) copyright 2025 Sherry Hayes-Peirce; all others Canva