A Word from Your Pastor - January 5 Epiphany

Dear Parishioners:

The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!

This Blessing to be given by Aaron the brother of Moses was given as a start to the New Year, on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.  It was a favorite of St. Francis, and so some know it as a Franciscan blessing.

Notice the three phrases:  about you, about God, and about God and you together.  The LORD bless you and keep you!  Blessing is an offering from outside, keeping is a gift of sustaining grace.

The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!  Opening His Face to us means seeing us for who we are and being gracious is allowing Mercy to triumph over justice.

The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!  Looking upon us kindly means allowing what is Best in Him to enter us and giving us Shalom is bringing us to the fullness of Life He wants to share with us.

In the womb of Mary, the Son of God took our flesh and became a human being.  As we honor the Mother of God, we acknowledge the Gift God has given.

I suggest we make two simple resolutions this year:

• To be confident in our Faith in Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Mary,
  and to speak from the heart about Him.
• To share the Joy of our Catholic Faith with the world in concrete and practical ways.

On this Solemnity of the Epiphany and throughout the year ahead, may we allow the glory of the Lord to move us beyond where we have been in order to follow our Good Shepherd where He leads.

A Word of Gratitude

Many Thanks to all who have sent cards and gifts to the priests and staff of St. Timothy Church for Christmas.  It is a great joy to serve in this parish and your kindnesses will not be forgotten.  May God reward you for your generosity.  Happy New Year!

Focolare Word of Life for January 2014

Christ, the Church’s one foundation. (cf 1 Cor 3:11)
http://www.focolare.org/en/news/category/parola-di-vita/