Entering the NEW YEAR 2023, we are GRATEFUL to GOD for all the blessings HE had poured upon our parish and parishioners in the last 12 months.
I will remember 2022 as the beginning of our YEAR OF ST JOHN BOSCO, inspired by Cardinal Gregory's dedication of our NEW ALTAR including relics of ST JOHN BOSCO and ST MARIA MAZZARELLO on January 23, 2022. St JOHN BOSCO is the Patron Saint of Youth and the greatest promoter of the Devotion to Our Lady Help of Christians. Bishop Dorsonville also blessed the new working Sacristy, the St JOHN BOSCO Room, last October when we celebrated the 11th Anniversary of our Hispanic Ministry.
I will remember 2022 as the return to " normalcy" at OLHOC following two years of the Covid Pandemic (2021-2021), illustrated by the increasing number of children enrolled in our religious education program (CCD) from 200 in 2020-21 (with all teaching being on-line), to 230 in 2021-22 (with hybrid teaching on-line and in- person), and to 300 in the on-going 2022-23 (with all teaching face-to-face). I will also remember the increasing number of altar servers as a source of much joy in our Sunday liturgies, especially contrasting with the total absence of them during the Covid pandemic. As many as 18 altar boys participated in the celebration of Holy Thursday. This is in addition to a renewed and active Youth Group of about 20 high schoolers (Lifeteens program).
Thinking about returning to normalcy, I remember the well-attended "GIFT OF RECONCILIATION" series leading to one of the largest ADVENT Penance Services on December 5th. I also remember the 10th anniversary of our Christmas Novena Masses, a combination of traditions in Latin America (Posadas) and the Philippines (Simbang Gabi) as our parish was honored by the presence of Archbishop Pierre, Papal Nuncio for the United States, at the 7 pm Mass on December 18 (still fresh in our memory: the church was packed!)
There are many, many more parish activities I could list. All these activities have been possible because of the large number of volunteers (over 300) including CCD teachers, the Altar Guild, Musicians, the Outreach Committee, the Men's Group, Couples for Christ, Knights of Columbus, Lectors, Ushers, Mary's Helping Hands. I am most grateful to all of you!
We are all GRATEFUL to GOD for the GREAT JOY of worshipping together the NEWBORN KING, the PRINCE OF PEACE, the INFANT JESUS at CHRISTMAS. The coming of Jesus on earth brings HOPE to all of us: "The Messiah is born, the Son of God and our Savior... HE CAME DOWN ON EARTH TO ENABLE US TO RISE TO HEAVEN " (St Ambrose reflection on the Nativity). This is what HOPE is all about: God becoming MAN so that we all be with HIM right here on earth and then forever In Heaven. The four candles of Advent reminded us that JESUS is HOPE, JESUS is PEACE. JESUS is JOY, JESUS IS LOVE. To be a Christian is to have an ENCOUNTER with Jesus Christ. We encountered Baby Jesus at Christmas. May Jesus' Love for us be a Light shining in our hearts today, tomorrow, and every day after. JESUS comes to us at every Mass. HE is fully present in the EUCHARIST. Every Mass is Christmas. May Jesus' infinite Love for each one of us continue to fill our hearts with HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE throughout the entire NEW YEAR 2023!
May Jesus keep shocking us: we cannot be lukewarm. Jesus wants us to be on fire! Jesus wants to be our friend and accompany us on our short pilgrimage on earth. He tells each of us embarking upon a New Year: "DO NOT BE AFRAID. I AM WITH YOU. I WILL PROTECT YOU ALWAYS. TURN TO ME. I WILL TAKE AWAY YOUR FEARS, YOUR BURDENS, AND YOUR PAIN. COME TO ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. I WILL GIVE YOU PEACE. I WILL GIVE YOU JOY."
As Christmas 2022 was celebrated on a Sunday, we walked together the longest possible ADVENT Season: four full weeks of preparation, penance, and anticipation of the coming of God as a man to save all of us and give us eternal life in Heaven!
The current Christmas Season will end two weeks after Christmas, as the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord will be Monday, January 9, following Epiphany Sunday, January 8. Let's rejoice with the three Kings who came from a distant, pagan land, following the star and finding baby Jesus in a manger, and adoring Him.
As we celebrate today the great Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, may Mary our Patroness Saint, protect all of us in the New Year 2023!
May St. John Bosco protect all our Children and Youth in the New Year 2023.
On behalf of Fr. Jan, Deacon Rich, Deacon Bill, Deacon Juan Pablo, Sister Rosario, and all our staff and volunteers, we would like to wish you and your family a most blessed New Year 2023!
One in Christ,
Fr. Alain