Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

    Now that the hectic but joyful celebration of Our Lord’s birthday has passed we can take the time to reflect more deeply on the immensity of God’s love for us.  Happily, Christmas is not over in a day but the days between Christmas and Epiphany afford us the opportunity to, like Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the wise men, to contemplate the truth that God became man for our salvation.  What wondrous love is this!

    Perhaps these recollections move us to ask the question of what is love.  There are so many misconceptions about that little but powerful word.  Certainly it goes beyond the “feeling” and “emotional ” connotations so often attributed to it.  Rather we might comprehend love as a dynamic, constructive and affirmative action that seeks to advance the well-being of others even if they do not realize it.  Just as the employment of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit produce fruits so too love is designed to produce good fruit. As we bid farewell to a year that has been short on producing good fruit, maybe in our recollection we can determine to make the effort always to produce the good fruit of real love. Pray that the New Year will fare better than the past as we ardently beg God’s gift of peace in our hearts and in the world.

    Several the beautiful manifestations of love have been exhibited in those who, thinking not of themselves but of God and others, include the distribution of food and meals for those in need in our community; the outreach of bringing the gift of song to our nursing home residents by our youth; and the time and talent that goes into  preparing our churches so beautifully for Christmas.  We are grateful to all who have devoted themselves to these holy works.   God knows, and He, of course, will dispense His blessings upon you. 

 Blessings of Good Health, Joy and Peace Upon All in the New Year,

Father Langan