Dear Parishioners:
Happy New Year! The poet, T.S. Eliott, wrote: "For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning." And thus, we begin the Year 2022!
Millions of people start a new year with resolutions. Pledging to change a bad habit or strive harder to achieve a goal. Typically these are resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking, go to the gym or Mass more. They center on self-improvement and personal goals. New Year's resolutions usually don't last more than a few weeks. Then, the bad habit starts again, leaving the good intention undone. Mark Twain's words too often ring true: "New Year's Day now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual."
I pray that in the Year of Our Lord, 2022, we may all find the fullness of grace that comes through a living and loving relationship with the One who makes all things new, Jesus Christ. Every human heart has a universal longing to be made new, to begin again, because the Holy Spirit prompts it in every human heart.
In and through Jesus Christ, there is also a way to be made new. That is the heart of the Gospel, the Good News! St. Paul reminds us: "whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come."
The start of a new year is always full of great expectations. It invites a deeper spiritual reflection, offers hope for change, and calls us to make choices for good. In reality, our choices make us. So let us resolve in 2022 to live our lives in Jesus Christ and find the way to turn resolutions into reality. St. John Henry Newman said: "To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often."
Today we celebrate the great Feast of the Epiphany. For much of our secular society, Christmas is over for another year. The trees and the lights are down, and decorations put away until next year. However, there is still more to come for Catholics. The Epiphany of the Lord is traditionally on January 6 and in many different cultures known as "Little Christmas," "Three Kings Day," "Twelfth Day of Christmas," or "Twelfth Night." The feast continues the Christmas season by commemorating the visit of the Magi or Wise Men to the Christ Child.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: "The Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and Savior of the world and that the Magi's coming to Jerusalem, in order to pay homage to the king of the Jews, shows that they seek in Israel, in the messianic light of the star of David, the one who will be the king of the nations.."
For Catholics, Christmas does not end on December 25, January 1, or even January 6. No, Christmas begins on the great feast of Christ's birth and continues with the Magi's visit to Bethlehem, with the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, and with the Wedding Feast of Cana when his miraculous power is first publicly revealed. The Lord Jesus Christ, born of Mary, adored by the Magi, is the Messiah, the Son of God and Savior of the World. Let the celebration continue on! With the Magi this Sunday of the Epiphany, "Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!"
I offer my sincere thanks to all those who made the celebration of Christmas Masses so joyful. Celia Franzone and her crew beautifully decorated the Church. Paul Anderson and our maintenance team did excellent work cleaning the Church and setting up all the decorations. Our outstanding Altar Servers served reverently at Masses. Our many Lectors, Ushers, and Ministers were very helpful in assisting at Masses. And we thank Henri St. Louis and our OLM Choir for the beautiful music of the season.
Finally, in the name of Father Mahoney, Father Connors, and myself, I wish to thank the many parishioners who were so kind in offering generous personal gifts, delicious treats, and sincere greetings at Christmas. We are most grateful for the remembrance of your parish priests in this Holy Season and your support of our priestly ministry throughout the year.
Be well. Do good. God Bless. Go Pats! Abundant Blessings for 2022! Happy New Year!