Dear Parishioners, It’s not your imagination that both the Advent season and the Christmas season have been very short this year. We only had three full weeks to the Advent season (plus a day) and we only have two full weeks of the Christmas season, (from Christmas day) which ends tomorrow with the Baptism of the Lord. Time passes quickly and these short liturgical seasons this year remind us to make the most of every day! Our faith needs to be renewed each and every day!
But before we leave this Christmas season, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany this weekend. The Three Kings, or the astrologers, had been watching and waiting. The people of Israel had been doing this as well for centuries, but many missed the signs. Yet, this Christmas Star was different than anything else seen before. This was just the start of the many signs and wonders that would change the world. As we finish this Christmas season, sometimes we forget to appreciate how rich of a tradition of faith that we have! This event was life changing for the Three Kings. They recognized the hand of God in the birth of a child. The birth of Jesus should be life changing for us as well, reminding us how special and how important our life of faith can be for each one of us. The Christmas season may be ending, but if we allow it, the Christmas season renews our faith.
Of course, in Europe, and in some other countries around the world, Epiphany is a time for the exchange of gifts. That’s not the tradition that we have here in the United States. But, I do have some good news to share! After a couple of years of working on this, we finally are able to turn our attention to renovating the Marian Hall bathrooms. We have the funds to do this project and the diocese has approved our plans. I’ll have some additional information about this project in the coming weeks.
As this season renews us and strengthens our faith, may we never lose the wonder and awe that the birth of Jesus reveals to us!