Feast of the Holy Family

Dear Parishioners;

In the midst of the Christmas season, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family. Family life is always a challenge, and our religious ancestors had advice about how to make it work.  Though many cultural values were different, we realize how family life was interwoven with faith.  We don’t know much about Jesus’ family, but we hear today that they followed traditonal Jewish laws.  Mary and Joseph nurtured Jesus in the ways of faith, and helped him to grow in wisdom through their love and commitment to him and to each other, and through their obedience to Scripture and Tradition.  It is through our trust in God and our love for one another that we bring Christ to life in our own families and communities.

Family life has changed over the years, but one thing is always important no matter what type of family we have. . . God is present to each of us and to our families.  We must trust and acknowledge that God is part of our family.

Monday, we begin a brand-new year—2018.  On this day as we begin the new year, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. Usually, this day would be a holy day of obligation, but since it falls on a Monday, the bishops of the United States made the decision several years ago that when a holy day falls on either a Monday or a Saturday, that the obligation to attend Mass would be dispensed.  There are a few exceptions to this rule.  I won’t go into them at this point.

The only Mass for January 1st, the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God will be at 9:00 A.M.  

The monthly Adoration will be on Wednesday, January 3rd.  Adoration begins at 1:00 P.M. and concludes with Benediction at 6:00 P.M.  What a wonderful way to begin the new year, by spending time with our Eucharistic Lord for one (1) hour.

The second collection the weekend of January 6th & 7th will be for the Building-Maintenance Fund.  Our buildings are aging and need regular maintenance.

To all the retired people of the parish who are looking for something to do, I would like to form a maintenance group and a beautification.  The maintenance group would meet once a week to perform any minor maintenance on the buildings.  The beautification group would meet also once a week to help beautify the church grounds, that would include taking care of the flower beds around the church and rectory.  I will put more information in following bulletins.

As we continue to celebrate the Christmas season, may God continue to shine His Light on all our families!

Happy Holy Family and New Year!