+JMJ
Dear Parishioners,
Thank you to everybody who worked so hard to make our Christmas Masses beautiful: the musicians, the choirs, the cantors, the decorators, the lectors, extraordinary Eucharistic ministers, the ushers, the deacons, the altar servers, etc. Of course it took a ton of time and effort. But, the Lord is worth our utmost in Holy Mass!
For this new year, let's ask the Lord what He would want as our New Year's resolutions. Better His will than ours… even when it comes to perfecting ourselves. It's God's plan we want, not ours! Consider making Jesus By Candlelight the first Sunday of every month a regular practice. Consider finding a volunteer service at the Church (such as livestreaming or ushering or serving at Mass, etc.). Consider an hour in the front of the Blessed Sacrament (even if it is not a day of exposition) each week. Consider a solid daily prayer time, scheduled in and protected to the best of your ability. Consider a faith book of some sort that furthers your education in the Catholic Faith, or deepens your spirituality.
And let's stay close to the Blessed Virgin Mary this year. That would be a great resolution for the new year! The Church focuses on the Blessed Virgin Mary at the beginning of the new year, with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. That is not mere coincidence. We should not only begin every year with a focus on the Blessed Virgin Mary. We should actually consecrate our entire life to her every day, at the beginning of the day. There's no better way to be assured of living for Her Son Jesus Christ, than to consecrate every step to Her. As every good mother, She will do her utmost to guide us to the fullest of life. And, that means life in Her Son, Jesus Christ. Please, if you have never consecrated your life to the Blessed Virgin Mary, make it a resolution to do so this year. You will not regret it. I can't imagine where I would be without the constant help of Mary.
May the Lord bless the New Year abundantly for you! May you know His glory more in this new year than ever before!
In cordibus Iesu, Mariae et Iosephus,
Father Poggemeyer