Dear Friends,
I am still winding down with the celebrations of Christmas, Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord!
It was a blessed holiday even as I worked hard to recover from my several weeks long virus. I appreciate everyone’s prayers, concern and some very, very delicious soups to help restore my health. Thank you everyone for your goodness.
Monday, January 15th we recall the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. What a profound individual who valiantly voiced a call for justice of all peoples. In the many moments of recalling this good, brave and courageous man, we still meet a child of God, brother of Jesus, who like ourselves wasn’t perfect but allowed the Holy Spirit of God to fill himself to overshadow human imperfection and be a profound voice of justice.
Like so many holidays now, I think many folks do not stop to contemplate why a particular date is recognized as a holiday. I think of Memorial Day, The Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Martin Luther King’s Day. Wherever you may be, a student off from school, a parent who has an opportunity to talk with your children about Martin Luther King, a grandparent likewise or even a parish minister, may we take a valuable moment to acknowledge this man, his faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his thirst, modeling his life after Jesus, to be a voice calling out for love of all humanity!
I continue to be fervent in prayer for peace. I know it is challenging as we look at our families, friends, neighborhoods, communities that surround us, our nation, Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East and so, too many other areas in our world. Let us not forget the one whose birth we just recalled, the Prince of Peace. Let us be fervent in our prayer for a conversion of hearts that are unforgiving, prone to revenge, violence and unwilling to live and act like our brother Jesus Christ.
January 20th I am excited to join those of you who have registered for our day of prayer, “Praying Through Change.” I know confidently that Anne Gallagher, Karen Rinefierd and Damian Zynda will spiritually lead us in a sacred time of reflection. I hope you registered for this special time and those of you, who have, I look forward to being in your company.
Blessings to all in the freshness of this New Year of 2024,
Father Rob