Dear Parishioners,

This Sunday is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. The Epiphany marks the arrival of visitors, identified in Scripture as the magi, to the place where Jesus was born. Although we know virtually nothing about them, we do know they brought three gifts: Gold — a symbol of wealth and power, identifies the recipient as a king; Frankincense — the crystalized resinous sap of a tree used as incense and as an offering, is symbolic of prayer; Myrrh — another resinous tree sap, was used in healing liniments and as an embalming ointment. Myrrh is an odd gift for a child—so, even at the beginning of Jesus' life on earth, this gift foreshadows his death.

The first of a new year invites gratitude and wonder: grateful for the gift of life and another year, wonder at what it will contain. Dedicating Jan. 1 to the Holy Mother of God means we entrust ourselves and the new year to Mary. She is our Mother in grace, for we “receive adoption” into divine life because of her fruitful virginity. When she gave birth to the Savior, the Lord willed to “let his face shine” upon us through her. Her continual intercession for us gives us “proof that we are son and daughters. Like Mary, we keep all these things reflecting on them in our heart, glorifying and praising God throughout the year to come.

Each year is a new beginning. A new beginning in hope because God is good and each year he gives each of the grace to take one more step closer to him, closer to heaven. Though as each year passes, the body grows older our souls can grow younger, simpler and more child-like. Our Lord says that only the child like will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. May each of us receive all the graces our Lord want to give us this year to become more childlike.

Our Pastor Council is working on a Pastoral Plan for our Parish. It will be presented this year with the hope that it can focus and revive our parish mission and activity to be true disciples of Jesus Christ. Please pray for this Pastoral Plan that it will be a source of much spiritual renewal for our parish, taking our parish from “maintenance to mission.”

Consider starting something new this January to help you focus on your faith by attending Faith Night on Wednesday evenings. This Wednesday, Jan. 10, I will begin leading a great, very well-done video series by Bishop Robert Barron called Catholicism for the adult formation class. Faith Night is for everyone with dinner starting at 6 pm and classes for all ages at 6:30 pm.