The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Thoughts from Fr. Bill…….

Dear friends, MERRY CHRISTMAS! The Feast of the
Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is celebrated on the
Sunday between Christmas and New Year’s. We know and
revere the Holy Family, But why have a feast for them? To
learn what it means to be a member of the one family of God
and do what our scriptural brothers and sisters we hear of
today: BELIEVE, LOVE and GIVE THANKS! All of us
have belonged to a family at one time or another. Some of
our families have been terrific; others perhaps have left
something to be desired. Whatever your case, you also belong
to the family of God. This membership has its perks
and its responsibilities. We are each loved and cherished by
God, but we each have our tasks to do. Jesus knew his tasks
early on. Let us pray and listen for clues about our place in
God’s family.

Tuesday is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God,
a Holy Day of Obligation. A Vigil Mass will be celebrated
on New Year’s Eve at 5:00 PM followed by a blessing over
our community and a light reception. Mass on New Year’s
Day will be celebrated at 10:00 AM. The is a good day to
ask how, when and to whom do I need to become an instrument
of God’s peace, like Mary, bearing Christ into the
world in the New Year 2013. Happy New Year!

The Tree of Hope is having another very successful year in
raising Hope for the less fortunate and those in great need.
Many compliments from those passing by! Jesus is the
Light of the World!

January 1 is the World Day of Prayer for Peace. This year’s
theme is Blessed are the Peacemakers, reminding us that we
all have a role to play in building peace in our community
and world. Jesus is the Prince of Peace!

Praying this week’s Christmas Day Psalm Response, A light
will shine on us: the Lord is born! Will help us to celebrate
the light that the birth of Jesus brought to our world!

Here we go Steelers here we go!

Fr. Bill
Peace

Trying to live a full life in the service of the Lord,
failing frequently and falling on the mercy of God each time….