Feast of the Epiphany

Dear Parishioners,

The word “Epiphany” means manifestation or appearance. It was used to describe the visitation to his people by a king or ruler. There was a display of power as the king paraded through the town. However, King Jesus comes in just the opposite manner; he appears as a weak, helpless baby as the Magi come to him (Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12). He has none of the trappings of a king, yet the Wise Men recognize his majesty even robed in swaddling clothes. They see not with earthly eyes, but rather with the eyes of faith. They don’t just kneel, but they prostrate (lie flat on the ground) in adoration. Neither Herod nor the religious leaders in Jerusalem had their kind of spiritual vision (faith), and that was their fatal flaw, their tragedy. They should have known better, for if these gentile outsiders, the Magi, could read the signs of the heavens, even more so should the religious leaders of the times. After all, they had the sacred scriptures to give them a clue.

“I see him, though not now;
I behold him, though not near:
A star shall advance from Jacob,
And a staff shall rise from Israel.”
(Num 24:17)

Let us pray for the same kind of vision as the Magi so that we can be with Jesus and never take our eyes off him as we journey through life.

- Fr. Carl

Feast of the Holy Family

Dear Parishioners,

Each year the Sunday following Christmas is celebrated as the Feast of the Holy Family. Each year a different gospel gives us a unique glimpse of our Lord’s family on earth. This year we hear how the Holy Family is threatened by King Herod who wants to kill Jesus. Today family life is threatened still but not by an evil king, but by more subtle forces of evil that eat away at family life, harmony, and support. The lure of materialism, consumerism, hedonism (the pursuit of pleasure) tend to make things more important than relationships. The bonds between family members often become brittle and break. The frantic pace of work, school, and extra- curricular activities prevent family members from joining together in common activities. Even regular meals are eaten at different times so that Mom and Dad can chauffer their children to different events.

The Holy Family did not have all the diversions that compete for our time and attention. They spent a lot of time together. If we want to prevent our families from becoming dysfunctional, and if we want them to become healthy and Holy, then we need to find ways and make sacrifices so that they can have more time together as a family. And if our families become Holy, they will be happier and more joyful.

- Fr. Carl

God With Us

Dear Parishioners,

Emmanuel, “God with us” reveals our Lord’s gift to us. At the soul of this season is a precious gift. In a few days, all of us will no doubt be someplace with folks who love us, and in whose presence, we feel love, to unwrap a gift or two… maybe more. We give and receive gifts in this season for many reasons, not the least of which is the gift we celebrate in this child born of the woman in Bethlehem.

“God with us” goes beyond announcing an event that took place some 2,000 years ago. “God with us” defines all our carefully worded creeds and honored traditions because of the gift of Jesus. He is why we celebrate this season. He is the heartbeat of all our music and memory, liturgy and celebration. So live knowing the gift who is our Lord is God’s presence and love among us in grace. Such is the Christmas miracle… God with us!

- Deacon Robert

Do You Hear What I Hear

Dear Parishioners,

I can’t remember when I first heard it, but Christmas would somehow not be the same if I didn’t hear that sentimental carol, “Do You Hear What I Hear.”

Said the night wind to the little lamb,
  Do you hear what I hear?
Way up in the sky, little lamb,
  Do you hear what I hear?

The carol continues with numerous questions about what possibly can be heard in this season of expectation and wonder. It ends with an affirmation about the coming of the Christ child. With broad chords and all voices singing in parts, the carol affirms in an explosion of confidence, “He will bring us goodness and light!”

- Deacon Robert

Preparing for Christmas

Dear Parishioners,

I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful for good attendance at our Thanksgiving Day Mass and our youth group who served as lectors, greeters, ushers, and choir. They were very impressive in carrying out their duties in a very professional manner. At the end of Mass, they distributed small loaves of bread they baked earlier in the week. In the U.S. Navy, we would say “Bravo Zulu” which is the signal meaning “Well Done.”

In case you were away last weekend, you missed seeing our new Advent Wreath. I am very grateful to our Sodality and Knights of Columbus. Their generous donations made it possible to purchase this lovely symbol of the season as we prepare for Christmas.

Speaking about Advent and Christmas, I realize much energy and time is being spent in shopping and decorating. But don’t forget the most important decorating of all – that of your soul. This can best be done through prayer and the sacrament of Penance. If we want Jesus to enter into our hearts, we should make them as inviting as possible.

- Fr. Carl

Prepare Yourself For Good Things To Come

Dear Parishioners,

July 1st marked the beginning of the new fiscal year for most businesses, October 1st marked the beginning of the year for the federal government, and January 1st will be the start of our calendar year. However, the Church year or liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent. It just so happens that this year the date is December 1st.

Each beginning offers new hope for the future as we look forward to good things to come. God tells us in the readings (Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44) that good things will come to us if we make ourselves ready through prayer, penance, and almsgiving to receive them.

Let us prepare the way for the best thing of all, Jesus, to come into our hearts. May this new Church year be a happy and holy one for you and your families.

- Fr. Carl

“Before all else we need to keep alive in our world the thirst for the
absolute, and to counter the dominance of a one-dimensional
vision of the human person, a vision that reduces human beings to
what they produce and to what they consume. This is one of the most
insidious temptations of our time.”
- Pope Francis

Remember Me

Dear Parishioners,

The thief, dying on the cross alongside Jesus asks only to be remembered when Jesus comes to his rightful throne (Luke 23:35-43). He does not want to be forgotten. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Suddenly it occurs to us that this thief is playing our part in this drama. He is saying our lines and speaking our hopes… we do not want to be forgotten either.

And so Jesus’ answer to this thief, and to all of us who listen with faith for His response, is the ultimate word of grace and comfort. “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” It was more than the thief asked, and certainly more than he deserved. That Jesus would remember us when all human memories have ceased is incredible. But Jesus offers more. He promises that those who trust him with this gallant faith will actually be with Him, after our death, in paradise.

- Deacon Robert

“This is the invitation which I address to
everyone: Let us accept the grace of
Christ’s resurrection! Let us be renewed by
God’s mercy; let us be loved by Jesus; let
us enable the power of his love to transform
our lives, too; and let us become agents of
this mercy, channels through which God
can water the earth, protect all creation and
make justice and peace flourish.”
- Pope Francis