The Solemnity of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, our parish patronal title, is celebrated this Sunday. We are blessed to have the ‘big three’ to lead us closer to God the Father in the Spirit – Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Together and individually, they show us the perfection of love of God and love of neighbor. They show us the sanctity of marriage and family. They show the need to sacrifice for one and for all. They are never far and always encouraging of us in our Christian walk and way of life.
It’s worth remembering that God created family. It is not a mere ‘social construct’. And while it has taken on many forms, at its core, it is rooted in God’s created natural order. It flows from the natural gift of generativity between man and woman in children for the whole of life lived in intimate love and community. Without solid, sound, sacred families, our world will only ever face greater and greater difficulties. No government or other institution could ever fully take its place. And while many lack good experiences of family in a world of sin, we must each do our part to invite and cooperate with God’s grace through the Cross and Resurrection to make our family holy, like that of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
Holy Family Parish turns 70 in 2024! How far we’ve come. I wonder if Monsignor Marchino would even recognize his beloved parish? He’d probably be surprised that we have offices in his old rectory bedroom, that our school is over 330 students, that we have 650 families and 1500 souls that call us home, and that our annual budget is over $3.3 million. How the times change. The First Mass was said here at Holy Family on 19 May 1964. To the left is a picture of the front cover of the first parish bulletin. Thank you for being part of the Holy Family family!
On behalf of the entire staff of Holy Family Catholic Parish and School, we pray you receive the tremendous gift of gratitude and joy this Christmas. May your family be enriched and encouraged by the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. May you experience Peace this day and throughout the whole of the New Year. May you draw ever closer to Christ and His Church. Blessings and prayers for you.
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
