Dear Parishioners, 

   Happy New Year! We pray that 2025 is a special year of grace for everyone. Our goal as a parish is to help everyone to grow in their faith and love for the Lord.           

   This year is a special Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church, which happens every 25 years to give every generation a chance to experience this special time of grace and mercy in their life. The Jubilee Year 2025 is a Holy Year of Hope.

   If have not yet come to our parish Faith Night, please consider coming this year. It is a great way to experience fellowship and grow in faith together as a family, and a parish. Every Wednesday, Faith Night starts with a nice community meal and the adult sessions are focused on a particular topic with group discussion. All families are  welcome. There are also classes available for children in Kindergarten through 5th Grade, separated by age group, with 10 students preparing for their first sacraments of initiation. Also, the middle school youth group is really thriving in its first year; EDGE is a program of LifeTeen and meets at the rectory every Wednesday at 6:30 pm.

   This Wednesday, Jan. 8, Faith Night returns with our January Saint of the Month, St. John Bosco, a saint that had a very innovative and Christ-like way of reaching children and young people. We will learn about his life and times. All the classes will begin together in the parish hall and conclude in the sanctuary to pray the rosary.

   Then, on Jan. 15, we will begin a five-week book study on Word on Fire’s An Introduction to Prayer by Bishop Robert Barron. We will have copies of the book available to pick up at this week’s Faith Night for anyone interested in participating. Here’s a synopsis for the book:

   Prayer fascinates us. Studies show that even atheists and agnostics sometimes pray. But what precisely is prayer? How does it “work”? And what are some of the time-tested ways to practice it? An Introduction to Prayer offers a collection of rich yet brief reflections on prayer in the Catholic spiritual tradition from Bishop Robert Barron. This book explores the answers to questions like: Why should I pray? What should I say or do when I’m praying? Who exactly am I praying to? Are there different types of prayer? What do the spiritual masters say about prayer? How can I establish a solid routine of prayer? Perfect for beginners but filled with profound insights for those looking to further their spiritual life, An Introduction to Prayer will inspire you to seek out more frequent conversation—and a deeper communion—with God. 

    The book study will conclude right before Lent. Then, on February 26, there will be a special Faith Night session to prepare everyone for the Lenten season before Ash Wednesday mass on March 5. 

    If you have any questions about Faith Night for you or your children, please contact me or Kellie Trudeau in the parish office. It is an opportunity for everyone to grow in faith and hope this new year.