He lived like a frail, old monk in silence and isolation from the world for the last 10 years of his life. His own little monastery was within the Vatican. He chose this prayerful and humble life following a resignation that shocked the world: the first pope to resign in 600 years! The entire Church, including our own parish, is now praying for the repose of his soul. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died last Saturday, on the last day of 2022. He was 95 years old. Did Pope Benedict affect your own life? For me personally, Pope Benedict XVI was an inspiration. He was the "newly elected" Pope when I entered the seminary in 2005. As a seminarian, I saw him in New York and in Washington, DC. He was the "reigning" Pope when I was ordained a priest in 2009. He has been an important part of my spiritual journey. I was with my family in Japan the day his predecessor Pope John Paul II died on April 2nd, 2005. I heard the news while attending Mass. That news changed my life.

John Paul II had been pope for 28 long years (1978- 2005). Although he had been very sick for several years, his death shocked me. I prayed for the repose of his soul, for his successor, and also for the whole Church. I also reflected on my own journey. I was working at the World Bank, but since 2001, I was also in formation to be ordained a permanent Deacon. I heard in my heart maybe the time had come to give my entire life to the church. Maybe God wanted me to leave my job. I had been in the same job for 35 years, a job which I loved: helping the developing countries of the world to reduce poverty. I was planning to stay another 10 years and retire at the young age of 70! On that very day, I decided to quit my job. I could spend one full year preparing for my ordination to The Permanent Diaconate (planned for June 2006) and dedicate my entire life to the Church. God had a different plan. Yes, I did quit my job three months later, but it was to enter the seminary. I was never ordained a "permanent" Deacon... I was ordained a " transitional" Deacon in 2008, and then a priest in 2009.

The death of Pope Benedict XVI reminded me of the death of his predecessor and I mentioned this in my homily last week commenting on the word "HASTE", the haste with which the shepherds went to Bethlehem to see what the Angels had announced them. Pope Benedict had commented on this word HASTE, saying "the shepherds went driven by their JOY on hearing that now, truly, the Savior, the Messiah, the Lord had been born, the one so long awaited - and they would be the first to see him.

How many Christians make HASTE today, where the things of God are concerned? Surely, if anything merits Haste -so the evangelist is discretely telling us - then it is the things of God” (page 79 of his book Jesus of Nazareth - The Infancy Narratives). When as Christians, do we "make haste" for the things of God? When was the last time you had such haste as the shepherds to encounter God? Are we "making haste" when going to church on Sunday? Are we driven by the Joy of encountering Jesus at Mass? Are our resolutions for the New Year to do with things of the world or things of God?

Will Pope Benedict XVI be remembered as the first Pope to resign in 600 years? Will he be remembered as Professor Joseph Ratzinger, one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century? Will he be remembered as Cardinal Ratzinger the longest and closest associate of Pope St John Paul II? Will he be declared a Saint and be remembered as Pope St Benedict? Will he be remembered as a Doctor of the Church? How will you remember him?

Since last weekend, we have prayed for the repose of the soul of Pope Benedict XVI. We will continue our prayers this weekend. Pope Benedict had a great devotion to Mary. We will pray for his soul as part of our First Saturday Devotion at OLHOC. You are all invited to join us for a special Mass of Remembrance at 9 am this First Saturday, January 7. We will begin with a Holy Hour of Adoration at 8 am in our main church. Right after the 9 am Mass, Father Jan will speak about Pope Benedict and his legacy.

We wish you all a most blessed ending of the Christmas Season with the celebration of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord followed by the Feast of His Baptism. May we all join the three Kings in adoring Jesus and giving Him all He desires to receive from us! May the Joy and Peace of this Christmas Season remain in our hearts throughout the entire New Year 2023 and beyond!

One in Christ,

Fr. Alain