Reflections from Fr. Dennis Gallagher, Provincial of the Assumptionists North American Province

Autumn in New England has two distinct phases. The first half of the season tops the popularity charts with its show of color, cooler temperatures and crisp apples. For many, the second half of the season is less winning, with steely gray skies, trees stripped bare, and dread for what is to come.

For a good part of my life, this was pretty much my take on fall, as the brightness of October gave way to the chill of November’s shorter and darker days. A palpable sadness settled into me. I wanted to hibernate. Drawing close to someone for warmth and comfort was not an option, so I was left to saying, in the words of that great philosopher, Bill Parcells, “it is what it is.”