The Most Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

Dear Parishioners,

Yesterday, we gathered as a faith community to celebrate the greatest gift of all time—the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel: God-with-us. Today, we continue to celebrate the Christmas season with the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. In the opening Collect (Opening Prayer) the Church prays, “O God, who were pleased to give us the shining example of the Holy Family, graciously grant that we may imitate them in practicing the virtues of family life and in the bonds of charity…” Families come in all shapes and sizes, but we are all part of a family. The Church, too, is a family of believers, who comes together to support one another in our journey of faith.

It is hard to believe that we begin a new civil year on Saturday. The Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on New Year’s Day, January 1 st . Since the Solemnity of Mary falls on a Saturday this year it will not be a holy day of obligation. The Mass on Saturday, January 1 st will be at 8:30 A.M.

May you continue to celebrate the Christmas season with God’s loving Presence in your life. Happy New Year!