Word of the Year and Saint of the Year

Brothers and sisters: May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all...--Thess 3:12

Quite awhile ago I read in Guideposts Magazine about a woman who chose, with the help of God, a word as a theme for her year. I thought it was a grand idea and have done that for myself. I decided the best way for me as a Catholic was to incorporate the verb of my Bible Verse of the Year. This is the verse I was guided to for Liturgical year C:

Give the priests...whatever is needed...for the offerings presented to God in heaven.--Ezra 6:9

Of course in light of my being drawn again to 29 Gifts it was easy for me to recognize God's push  for an attitude of charity in my life. it will be interesting to find out how I am going to asked to give to priests!
The name of my saint of the year is John of the Cross. My first thought was to throw him back! I had heard he is very difficult to digest. However, I girded my loins and did a search on the net for further information and found some more easily digestible information. Charity seemed to be a word closely connected with  him. Giving. Charity. I can work with that!
Of course St. John is also the patron of contemplatives. Finding silence to listen to the voice of  God is a very important part of his message as well. I have been praying for the grace and willingness to do this more in my life. I guess God heard and has answered me! I will have John of the Cross to walk with me. Trekking Catholic.