FATHER JIM'S JOTS ~ Feast of the Holy Family - December 31, 2023

Feast of the Holy Family

December 31, 2023

 

FATHER JIM'S JOTS

Greetings!!

This Sunday we will have an evening Mass for Peace at 5 p.m. to celebrate the vigil of the Feast of Mary, Mother of God.  We will have a potluck afterwards.  So far, we have had many people sign up.  I am looking forward to seeing all of the wonderful dishes!  If you have not signed up to bring a dish yet, you can do so by clicking on link in my Jot in the E-Bulletin.

January 1st marks the World Day of Peace for the Catholic Church.  This tradition started with Pope Paul VI in 1967 and continues on to today.  On this day, the Holy Father shares a special message inviting all people to reflect on the important work of building peace.

In the second appendix of the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we find the "Formulas of Catholic Doctrine."  In these, a common theme of peace can be found.  The second commandment of love is "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  In the Beatitudes, we hear, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."  One of the twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit is Peace.  We are called to forgiveness, patience and kindness, through the spiritual works of mercy.  These are just a few of the many ways that we are called to be examples of peace for the world around us.

We read in Sacred Scripture that, "The work of justice will be peace; the effect of justice, calm and security forever." (Isaiah 32:17)

Let us now pray for God's blessing in the new year.

Remember us, O God;

from age to age be our comforter.

You have given us the wonder of time,blessings in days and nights, seasons and years.

Bless your children at the turning of the year

and fill the months ahead with the bright hope

that is ours in the coming of Christ. 

You are our God, living and reigning, forever and ever.

Amen.

Blessings to you and yours,

Fr.Jim, Pastor

(Prayer from usccb.org)

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