Dear Parish Family,

  As we begin a New Year, the Solemnity of the Epiphany calls us to be people of hope. Certainly, that theological virtue has been tested over the last 10 months with the Coronavirus. Still, today’s readings emphasize the need to embrace that virtue perhaps more than ever.

The prophet Isaiah (60:1-6) proclaims,
  Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.


 Despite the thick clouds of the past year God has always been with us – Emmanuel. God will be with us in 2021, always ready to heal us and draw into His marvelous light. The Gospel reinforces this with Matthew’s (2:1-12) account of the Magi making a journey to pay homage to the newborn King. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage."

 The Gospel describes the reaction of the Magi upon reaching our Blessed Lord, our Blessed Mother and St. Joseph: And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

 These men possessed a hope that drove them onward until they found the One who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#1817) tells us that “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit.” Our Lord Jesus Christ is the reason for our hope. For this we can be profoundly thankful. I am also thankful to all those who so generously support our parish! I am grateful for your
generosity this Christmas and all throughout the year. I would also like to thank all those who helped to make our Christmas liturgies so beautiful. We have truly gifted and generous people who share their time, talent and treasure in service to God and His people. My sincere thanks to all!

 Finally, I pray that you and your loved ones experience a healthy, safe and spiritually fruitful New Year.

 God bless you.
 Fr. Dan Redmond