Dear Friends,
The Feast of the Epiphany has long been revered by myself and many of my friends of old. For decades, my New England friends and I would celebrate with a home mass at my friend’s Sally and Jerry. We planned an appropriate liturgy, had a friend play piano and lead the singing and had a room overflowing with family and friends who looked forward to the mass and gathering afterwards. All guests brought a wrapped gift that would come together for the “Three Kings” to pass out.
Early on in our years the children would want to be the “Kings” and dress for the celebration. Even in our day, a “King” could be male or female. As the years progressed the “Kings” grew in age but never lost the desire to play the part of Balthazar, Caspar or Melchior.
Those days are only in memory now as many of our beloved have moved on to the Kingdom of our Lord, moved around this country and our world. They were great days that were well enjoyed.
Epiphany continues for me in our liturgies, personal celebrations and cultural experiences.
One lasting joy that continues for me celebrating Epiphany is the long custom of Saint Catherine of Siena and its acknowledging its “Starlights!” “Starlights” are individuals who over the past year have been recognized by parishioners for their stewardship. It is a time always celebrated on or around Epiphany the folks who have been raised up in the past year. Saint Catherine’s will continue the tradition at its masses on January 6 and 7. As people are individually recognized, all our sisters and brothers are recognized too for their stewardship throughout the past year. I am pleased that I will be celebrating this moment once again.
I hope you have “gifts” like Balthazar, Caspar and Melchior, not necessarily, gold, frankincense and myrrh, that you are offering to our Lord. Gifts that express your blessings and desire to share these treasures with others.
Again, I thank everyone for all your goodness to me, our Staffs and our entire parishes over these Advent/Christmas weeks. You are wonderful and beloved!
Blessings,
Father Rob
The 'kings' are now a US Secret Service Agent, a Cambridge, Mass. Firefighter and a Fashion Designer!