Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I continue to wish you and your loved ones the miracle of hope, the joy of sharing, the comfort of friendship, and the blessing of peace!
Today, the Church rings in the New Year by celebrating our most ancient feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, honoring her with one of her most beautiful titles, Holy Mother of God. On this day so filled with the hope of new beginnings and good resolutions, Mary also stands before us as Queen of Peace, the woman of contemplative prayer who reflects in her heart on God’s ever-renewed presence in the world. She is likewise First among the Disciples, the woman of gospel action, who responds to God’s word with obedient faith and selfless charity. As we begin this New Year, she points to her Son and says to us what she told the servants at Cana’s wedding feast, “Do whatever he tells you.”
During a previous tumultuous time (1968), as Vietnam War protests raged in the United States and student demonstrations flared in Europe, Pope Paul VI designated New Year's Day as the World Day of Prayer for Peace. Educating young people in justice and peace is the theme of Pope Benedict XVI’s 2012 message for the World Day of Prayer for Peace. The message affirms the role of young people in working for justice, peace, and common good, and urges public policymakers to create institutions, laws and environments that allow young people to flourish. Take a look at the message on the bulletin boards in the church.
Many thanks to all who remembered me at Christmas with cards, gifts and prayers. God bless you!
Our Responsorial Psalm this week, “God, bless us with your mercy,” reminds us to praise God for the many blessings we have been given.
Six rings are great but 7 would be heaven ... GO STEELERS!
