Our Blessed Mother: This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. It’s a great comfort to know that we begin each year celebrating her as our Mother. The Church invites us to contemplate Mary as an icon of peace. As Pope Francis said, “Mary makes it possible for us to grasp the meaning of events which affect us personally, events which also affect our families, our countries and the entire world.” What will happen in the world in 2017? What will happen to our families? What will happen to us? No one knows but God. Thankfully, we have Our Blessed Mother with us through it all.
2017 Anniversaries: A couple major anniversaries are happening for the Church in 2017. Five hundred years ago Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the door at a Church in Germany which led to the Protestant Reformation. The church sees this year as a special opportunity to work for unity among us. Pope Francis remarked that even though there are doctrinal differences among us, we “can work together on social issues like caring for the poor, migrants and refugees, and combating persecution of Christians.” The other significant anniversary is the 100th anniversary of Our Blessed Mother appearing in Fatima, Portugal, to three young children in 1917. Our Blessed Mother’s message at Fatima can be summed up in three ways: to do penance (conversion), prayer and consecrating oneself to the Immaculate Heart. In the end, our Blessed Mother said, “my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”
School resumes: We welcome back our faculty, staff and students on Tuesday, January 3. I’m sure everyone enjoyed their break.
Trivia Night: This Friday, January 6, is our annual trivia night. I’ve been told that seminarian Alberto is making up the questions. Just a quick word of advice: brush up on your history since Alberto has a doctorate in this field.
Eagle Scout: Congratulations to parishioner Ben Samson as he becomes an Eagle Scout of Honor this Saturday, January 7.
Called and Gifted: Called and Gifted is an opportunity for laymen and women to learn about their specific call to mission, the charisms given by the Holy Spirit at Baptism, and a process that helps with discernment of those gifts. Workshops will be offered around the diocese in January and February, including one at our parish. Please contact Linda Blondin at the parish office if you are interested.
Encuentro: The United States Bishop’s Conference is seeking ways to better serve the fast-growing Hispanic population in the Church. If you are interested in learning more about this, please let me know.
January 25 gathering: All our commissions for our parish meet on a monthly basis at different times. We are planning on everyone getting together for an all-commission meeting on January 25. Mass is at 5:30 p.m. (optional), followed by a light dinner and meetings in the parish hall.
May the year 2017 be a Year of Grace for your families and loved ones.
In Christ’s peace and service,
Msgr. Jerry
Saint quote of the week:
“Blessed are you, Mary, for you gave the Son of God to our world. But even more blessed are you for having believed in him. Full of faith, you conceived Jesus first in your heart and then in your womb, and thus became the Mother of all believers.”
Saint Augustine