As Catholics, what does making New Year’s resolutions really mean for us? Is it an opportunity for us to work off those extra five pounds of Christmas dinner or a chance to improve our sleeping habits for the next 365 days? Or is it something more?

We often find our lives consumed by work, school, chores and social events. As such, religious obligations tend to be pushed to the corners of our lives, with little importance put on them.

Today’s youth spend most of their time plugged into their Mp3 players, laptops or cellphones. Many of them would rather attend the latest concert or house party than attend regular Sunday Mass.

But why is this, and what can we do to change it?

Typically, youth do not see religion as an important part of their life. Religion, however, should be the cornerstone to which we live our lives and set forth our daily and long-term goals.

As such, our New Year’s resolutions should incorporate some aspect of our faith.

Both youth and adults can change their lives for the better by making resolutions that closely follow Christ’s ways. For starters, we can pray more devoutly and more frequently.

Even a daily prayer can help us become more connected with our faith and the spiritual world around us. It also acts as a safe escape from the chaos of our busy schedules.

Remember, prayer does not have to be  mundane. It should be seen as an uplifting experience. If you’re not one for the traditional forms of prayer, such as the rosary, try other methods, like singing the Lord’s praises or admiring His divine creations.

Also, remember to get involved with your faith community. A sense of community is not only a great way to promote daily prayer but to also learn more about your faith through relationships with others.

Attending Sunday Mass regularly is also a good place to start, and if you already do that, why not try to attend Mass daily? Being able to start each day off with Christ is an excellent way to help you live in His footsteps.

Finally, keep in mind that our faith expands outwards from the church congregation — it does not end with the final blessing. We are told to go out and serve the Lord at the end of Mass, in hope that we will do just that. Simple things such as helping with chores or volunteering around the community can help each of us live in a Christly way.

This year, try to make yourself a promise to improve spiritually rather than physically.

A new year is the perfect time to rekindle your relationship with God.

(Lewis, 18, is a journalism student at Carleton University in Ottawa.)