My Dear Parishioners,

Happy New Year! What better way to begin a new year than to be celebrating here, together in Church, with our parish family, giving praise and thanksgiving to our Lord Jesus Christ. As with any New Year, we give some thought as to how things are going in life, what can be improved, and what changes we would like to make for this New Year.

The shepherds traveled to Bethlehem to see if the word of God was to come to pass. Upon seeing the child in the manger, they understood what they had been told concerning the child. The shepherds went off and reported what they saw and heard. They later returned to Mary, Joseph, and the Infant Jesus praising and glorifying God. They had been forever changed.

Today we have come together to hear the word of God, to praise and glorify him, and, much like the shepherds, to ponder how it will affect our lives in this new year. We know from Scripture that everything is ultimately by God’s design. In our society today we hear the kids and adults, talk about the designer clothes that are in fashion. Well, our Church is designed for us by God, our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The threads of the fabric of our Church are the words of God. These are the threads that need to be woven into the seamless garment of Christ in our lives. God designed it that way. God sent the Spirit of his son, Jesus into our hearts that we may become the threads of the Church fabric. We join our hearts with all others to strengthen the garment of the Church, with each of us as a single thread dependent on all the other threads no matter who we happen to be. All threads, all of us, are needed and are essential in fulfilling the design of God’s creation.

In accepting this truth we will know the Church fabric to be so strong it cannot be torn, and God’s word will be fulfilled, and his kingdom here on earth will be glorified. Then, like the shepherds, we, too, will be changed. May this be our prayer for the year 2012 and for each of our lives.

On behalf of my brother priests, our deacons, and the parish staff, I want to wish you and your families a Happy and Healthy New Year!

God Bless, Msgr. Maresca