The Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord officially closes the Christmas season. Hopefully, the graces received during this joyful time will continue to sustain us as we move along into the New Year. Monday, we will return to Ordinary Time until the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, March 6
th.
The Baptism of the Lord reminds us of our own baptism, when we first entered into the death and resurrection of the Lord. The waters of baptism wash away the Original Sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve, that we are born into; and at the same time bring us into communion with God, the Father; God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit. Because Jesus is the beloved Son of the Father, we are beloved sons and daughters of the same loving God. We need to affirm this relationship every day. Each of us is loved unconditionally. This is our true identity as Christians. We must never forget it.
The Baptism of the Lord tells us that Jesus has entered into the nitty-gritty of our lives. Jesus is not aloof from what we experience, but in the midst of it all - good and even bad. Jesus is never on the side-lines just watching what happens to us. He is in the thick of things. When we are wounded in the battle for our souls He steps in to heal us. When we feel alienated and unloved He touches our souls with His greatest affection. In a very real sense God has confidence in us as His sons and daughters to build up the kingdom for His greater honor and glory. We pray that in all things God may be glorified. Because of this relationship we receive bountiful blessings. For more on this please read
Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by the late Father Henri Nouwen. I highly recommend this little book for a spiritual boost.
In this New Year let us live each day in communion with God. May we more and more die to sin in Jesus Christ and rise up to new life in Him. May this year be one of many blessings and graces for each of us. Let us live holier lives.
Today, you are invited to sign up for the various auction committees and functions. This is the parish’s main fund raising activity, and thus important to maintaining and advancing our various parish ministries. I am counting on your continued full and generous support. Mrs. Gloria Oswald has ably headed this project for thirty years and will continue to do so again this year. I am grateful to Gloria and her glorious army of volunteers.
Standing by her all these years in making the auction a success has been Ms. Gail Tesi. She has served the parish as operations manager for almost forty years in an extraordinary and exemplary way. As of January 31
st, Gail has chosen to retire. Indeed she will be missed. She has done a stellar job in building up this community of faith. God alone knows all that she has done for His greater honor and glory. We are all grateful to her and wish her the best in retirement. The standard joke I have introduced into the rectory is that every time Gail laughs, souls are released from purgatory. Those lucky souls. We have been blessed to have Gail on staff all these years. Well done! To show our gratitude, I cordially invite you to a special Mass on Sunday, January 20
th at 11:30 A.M., followed by a reception in St. Michael’s Hall. This is just a token of our sincere appreciation for all that you have done for us.