X

January 5th, 2020, The Epiphany of the Lord

Dear Friends

Entering the New Year of Grace 2020 fills us with Joy and Gratitude. Perhaps a good way to enter this new year could be with this confidence: “I don’t know what the future holds for me; but I do know who holds the future.” We are privileged to be people set apart who have their Lord and God as Emmanuel, God with us; God who walks with us at every moment of our lives. So, do not be afraid. He’s got it all in place. All we need to do is to trust him completely. He is our faithful navigator.

I am greatly indebted to you for consistently being such caring and giving people. The recipients of our Giving Tree had been simply awestruck by your response. Thanks to you for taking the trouble of picking up a tag and shopping religiously to bring the gift items suggested in the tag. This has become a religious ritual for us where in we not only give something to those vulnerable and those in need of sharing in the joy of Christ’s Birth but we do it accompanied by prayers. This unique attitude changes the whole perspective on things. Just to say how much they appreciate our giving, let me quote a line from Patty Hurst of Devereux: “What amazing gifts from your congregation.” I take this opportunity to thank Susan Answay who helped lead this operation  and all those who helped her (Al McKenna, Thomas Buddington et al) with the humongous task of dealing with the logistics such as preparing the tags, hanging them up,  gathering the gifts, storing them and finally delivering them to their respective destinations with love. You could imagine the joy and the smile your gifts had brought to the recipients.

I have to say something about that spectacular, serene and prayerful experience that the Stations of the Crib provided for all those who joined us on Tuesday, 17th December 2019. I am grateful to Heidi Pranzoni for getting this organized with the help of some wonderful and talented singers and the lovely lectors. I am quoting JoAnn Filipe, a very grateful visitor who happened to take part in that most beautiful experience: “Dear Father John. I am a visitor to your church whenever we are in Florida visiting our friends who are parishioners. I love your church. I was lucky enough to be here this week and tonight to be able to attend the Stations of the Crib. I cannot put into words what a wonderful experience it was for me. The music was awesome and so where the speakers. I went with wondering what it was all about and left with joy in my heart and a feeling I cannot put into words. Thank you to all those involved in the Stations of the Crib tonight.” If you are one of those who did not make it, you now know what you missed.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, a day in which all nations are invited to sing the Lord’s praises for they have been called to hear the good news and worship the long-awaited Messiah and King with the gift of their lives. Let us today join the wise people of the earth who have identified with the real Savior and surrendering to him all that they are. How blessed are we to be counted as copartners in this new initiative of God: “that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (Ephesians 3: 6).

Have a Blessed Week!

With Love, 

Fr. John