News - January 2024 RSS Feed

Catholic archdioceses and dioceses throughout the United States, are celebrating Catholic Schools Week. The theme this year is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.” Catholic schools have an important role in the Church’s evangelizing mission, building on the central goal of Catholic schools to form saints. Catholic schools teach and embrace the whole person, body, mind, and spirit. We have been very fortunate that our own St. Peter School has been providing quality Catholic education to the students of the River Parish area for over 94 years.

Today, we celebrate Sunday of the Word of God. Several years ago, Pope Francis designated the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time as Word of God Sunday. The annual observance is aimed at helping all of us grow in a deeper appreciation of the Sacred Scriptures. When we gather for Mass, God speaks His word to us through the Sacred Scriptures. Let us pray that our ears may be opened to hearing God’s Word proclaimed in Sacred Scripture.

Last Sunday, on the Feast of the Epiphany, we heard the familiar story of the Magi, who, directed by the star of Bethlehem, find the baby Jesus. Today, as we begin Ordinary Time, we hear the first disciples, who, directed by John the Baptist, encounter the adult Jesus. That initial encounter changes the entire course of their lives, for, as Andrew insists to his brother Simon, “We have found the Messiah.” May our encounter with the Lord influence the way we live our lives.

Today is the Feast of the Epiphany. The Christmas season will conclude with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on Monday, January 8th. We know very little about the Magi. They come from the East and journey to Bethlehem, following an astrological sign, so we believe that they are astrologers. As the Magi journeyed from a distant country to find the Christ, so we are also called to make our own journey to the Lord. We are called to receive Jesus, the Light of the World, so that we in turn can share His Light with others. As we heard in the first reading: Then you shall be radiant…your heart shall throb and overflow. Jesus has come to give us all the love we need, all the wisdom called for, and all the virtue necessary to be a light to others.