Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child
and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.
(Matthew 1:20-25)
As we celebrate the joy and wonder of Christmas, the coming of the Christ Child as Lord and Emmanuel, to be forever “God with us”, may we, like St Joseph ‘do as the Angel commanded him and take Jesus and Mary into our homes, our hearts, our humble lives.’ Pope Francis has declared 2021 as a Year dedicated to St Joseph. As the Universal Patron of the Catholic Church, St Joseph is a model of fatherhood and a key intercessor in modern times. Pope Francis said the year will be an opportunity for all of us faithful to follow St. Joseph’s example and “daily strengthen their life of faith in full fulfillment of God’s will.” St Joseph, pray for us.
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This weekend our parish celebrates its namesake feast – the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. May we look to their peaceful, intentional, self-sacrificial, domestic home of life and love as a model for our own. While we can’t be Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, God still desires ours to be Holy families giving Him Glory.
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Upcoming Parish Mission by Fr Louis Guardiola, cpm
Last Lent’s Parish Mission was canceled, but we have been blessed reschedule the Fathers of Mercy for this coming year. Mark your calendars now to go deeper in your faith. Fr Louis will challenge us to live out our Adoration of the Christ in the Eucharist over a five nights. It will include conference talks, confessions, and Eucharistic Exposition. It is sure to reignite your Catholic Christian faith and challenge you to be a better Christian disciple. Plan to be present each night Sunday through Thursday, February 6 to 11, 2020.
May the Lord God bless you and yours this Christmas and New Year.
Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Pray for us.
~ Fr Jeremy M. Gries