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From the Pastor's Desk: Dec. 26, 2021
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On this first Sunday after Christmas, the Liturgy invites us to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth. God wanted to be born into a human family, He wanted to have a mother and father like us. The celebration marks the fundamental truth that when the Son of God became man, when the Word became flesh, He became flesh as a little child within a family. His Family became the model of love for God and each other, for trust, prayer and obedience in fulfilling their roles as members of a family. Our scripture readings today reflect on aspects of family life including the duties and blessings that come about as a result of the faithful living of family life. Understanding what a family is, is critically important to understand life with God.
Holy Family Sunday is also a special celebration for the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Family who serve in our parish. The spiritual foundation of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Family comes from the Holy Family whose unity was based on the Holy Trinity. Therefore, "we need to, even in mere fraction, know more deeply the life of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Granted God's grace, we have to try to follow in their footsteps" (Foundress Blessed Boleslawa Lament). Through fulfilling their charismatic vocation, the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Family, called by God to work toward the unity among Christians, with love, respect, humbleness, and simplicity toward each other and all people they come in contact with. At the 11:00am Mass on Sunday, the Sisters will renew their religious vows and promises. Please attend and pray for their ministries.
December 26th also marks the 19th Anniversary of the Priestly Ordination of Fr. Xaviour. Please join me in praying in thanksgiving for the gift of his priesthood and his ministry here at St. Luke Parish. May the Lord bless him and his priestly service for many years to come!
This week will bring us to celebrate the New Year – 2022! On New Year’s Day, the Church honors Mary under the special title of Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Because the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, falls on Saturday this year it is not observed as a Holy Day of Obligation. Nonetheless, we will celebrate Mass at 10:00am and I strongly encourage everyone to participate. The title - Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God – is one of the most outstanding characteristics of Mary in her willingness to know and do God’s Will.
With the coming of the new year, many people will make new commitments and new resolutions, e.g. to lose weight, quit smoking or drinking, reduce stress, get out of debt, or keep the house clean. These are all helpful goals to try to achieve. As we enter this New Year together, I want to invite every one of us to open wider the doors of our hearts for Christ. Let us make our new year’s resolution to deepen our commitment to grow in faith, love, and hope of God. Let us commit to be faithful and regular participants in Sunday Eucharist and the Sacraments of the Church. Let us truly appreciate the gift of our faith in the way we will live our lives daily in the New Year. My prayer and wish to all of you is that through the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, she will guide us to a closer and more faithful encounter with her Son, Jesus Christ.
The Feast of the Epiphany in our parish invites us to celebrate the Epiphany Cultural Fair. Next Sunday, January 2nd, after the 11:00 am Mass in the parish hall, members of different ethnic groups from our parish will share some of the finest examples of their cultures and tradition. Please come and join us in our celebrations!
Together with Fr. Xaviour, Deacon Steve, Parish Staff and PAT, we wish you a blessed, happy, peaceful and joy-filled New Year 2022!
With prayers,
Fr. Andy
