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From the Pastor's Desk: January 15, 2023
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From the Pastor’s Desk: January 15, 2023
After the joyful festivities of the Christmas Season, we entered Ordinary Time in the life of the Church. The term "Ordinary Time" may be misleading, however. In the context of the liturgical year the term "ordinary" does not mean "usual or average,” but rather celebrates all aspects of the Mystery of Christ and instructs us on how to live out our Christian faith in our daily lives. In addition, it gives us an opportunity to enter more fully into the mystery of the Eucharistic celebration, especially our participation at Sunday Mass. “Even in our own difficult times, the identity of Sunday must be protected and above all must be lived in all its depths…the Christian Sunday remains…indispensable element of our Christian identity” (St. JP II, Apostolic Letter on Keeping the Lord’s Day Holy).
Ordinary Time in the Church's year occurs in two sections. The first part begins after the evening prayers at the end of the Christmas season, which this year ended with the Feast of the Epiphany. It lasts through the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season. Ordinary Time resumes after the Easter Season, after Solemn Vespers on the Feast of Pentecost, and continues until the Saturday before the First Sunday of Advent.
The beginning of this new season welcomes opportunities to reflect on the life of Jesus and our relationship with Him. It is time to learn more about Him and His life, to meditate on the meaning of the Gospel for our lives today and to proclaim His presence through our words, deeds and actions to the world.
It is precisely in Ordinary Time where life is lived the most. It is here that the relationships are formed that lead to celebrations to make them very special and most significant. It is here that our identity is shaped and expressed. It is here that our work and professions serve to build up the world in which we live to be a better place. It is here that the Kingdom of God must become more and more a reality. It is here that we truly realize that although an Ordinary Time, with the presence of God and our desire to be more and more an authentic disciple of Jesus, it becomes very much an “extraordinary” time in our lives.
On Wednesday, January 18th, we will begin the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.” Since 1926, every year- the Catholic Church sets aside a special time to focus upon prayer of unity among Christians. This year’s theme is: “Do good; seek justice” (cf. Is 1:17). Today as we celebrate Ecumenical Sunday, as we continue our special prayers “that all may be one... that the world may believe” (John 17:21), we are offered great opportunities to pray with hope for Christian Unity, so that our actions and prayers embody the true peace, reconciliation, and unity which is to be found where God dwells.
Last Sunday, we celebrated our Annual International Fair on the Feast of Epiphany. I want to express my deepest words of gratitude to all who came to share in the wonderful cultural diversity of our parish. It was so wonderful to see so many of our parishioners sharing in the spirit of joy, friendship, and fellowship. A word of thanks to the Pastor’s Advisory Team who coordinated the event, and to everyone who took part in the celebration to make it such a success. Well done!
The beginning of Ordinary Time offers a great opportunity to re-discover the gift of our faith, to experience the “holy moments” in our lives.
Have a blessed week!
With prayers,
Fr. Andy
