Pastor’s Message: January 28, 2024

Dear Parishioners,

In the Gospel this weekend we are reminded of the power and authority of Jesus. He has the ability to heal and to cast out evil spirits. It also highlights the importance of recognizing Jesus as the Son of God. The unclean spirit knew who Jesus was, but the people in the synagogue were amazed at Jesus’ teaching and authority.

As we reflect on this Gospel passage, we are called to deepen our relationship with Jesus and to recognize him as the Holy One of God. We are also called to seek his divine healing and protection in times of distress and overcome any challenge that comes our way.

May we be open to the power and authority of Jesus and may we always turn to him in our times of need. Remember we are not alone in our struggles and that the power of prayer can bring about incredible transformation and healing.

God Bless,
Pray for Peace,
Fr. Cyrus

Pastor’s Message: January 21, 2024

Dear Parishioners,

We hear in the Gospel this weekend that we aren’t alone. When Jesus called those fishermen, they weren’t alone when they left the lives they knew. They had company. They went in pairs. Simon and Andrew, James and John.

The Gospel reminds us also of the importance of love, compassion, forgiveness, and service to others. These values are just as relevant today as they were in the time of Jesus. In fact, in a world that seems to be increasingly divided and polarized, the message of the Gospel is more important than ever before.

We are challenged to examine our own lives and to strive for personal growth and spiritual development. We are reminded that we are all called to be disciples of Christ and to live our lives in accordance with his teachings.

Let us take some time to pray and meditate on its message. Let us ask for the grace and strength to live our lives in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ, and to be a light in the world for others to follow. Remember Jesus is always with us.

God Bless,
Pray for Peace
Fr. Cyrus

Pastor’s Message: January 12, 2024

Dear Parishioners,

On the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, we are reminded of the importance of following Jesus and living a life of faith.

In the Gospel reading for this weekend, we see John the Baptist pointing out Jesus to his disciples, who then follow Jesus and ask to stay with him. This passage teaches us that we must be open to recognizing Jesus in our lives and be willing to follow him. We are invited to reflect on our own faith journey and to consider how we can deepen our relationship with Jesus. Let us pray for the grace to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and to follow Jesus with joy and dedication.

God Bless,
Pray for Peace,
Fr. Cyrus

Pastor’s Message: January 7, 2024

Dear Parishioners,

CHALK + BLESS YOUR HOME FOR EPIPHANY

As the Christmas Season draws to a close, Holy Mother Church celebrates the great Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. “Epiphany” literally means a manifestation or a showing forth.  As the original Christmas, this was the day more highly regarded and celebrated because, while the birth of Christ brings great joy, on Epiphany he was made known to the world, represented by the Magi. Traditionally this is the day on which gifts are given, in imitation of the gifts given to the Child Jesus by the Magi. Marking our doorways or front porch steps with chalk is a centuries-old Epiphany custom and a visible way to dedicate our homes and the New Year to God. The inscription this year is:  20 + C + M + B + 24 

This Epiphany tradition is a way of blessing all who enter, exit, and dwell in your home or church. You simply write the number of the new year and the letters C, M, and B in chalk on your door or doorframe. The letters stand for the three traditional names of the Magi in Matthew 2: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. The letters can also be a Latin acronym for “May Christ bless this dwelling.

This outward sign of our celebration of Epiphany is a visible sign to all who enter our homes that they are entering the home of faithful Christian, one who rejoices in the manifestation of Christ in the world as its King and Savior, and one who proclaims year-round the joy that is the message of Christmas.  As we have all been marked with the sign of the Holy Spirit in Baptism and Confirmation, this marking of our homes lets it be known to the all the world. The chalk mark will fade with time, but we permit what the sign represents—our Faith—to sink more deeply into our hearts and mind, that it may be manifested more fully in our thoughts and actions.

Below is a very brief Blessing for Epiphany, and I encourage all our families at some point this week to take a moment to gather as a household, to offer this prayer, and to “chalk the doors” in celebration of Our Lord’s Epiphany.

Epiphany Blessing Gathering near the main entrance to the home.  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.  May peace dwell in this house and in all who live here.

O God, by the guidance of a star you revealed your Only Begotten Son to the nations. Grant that we who know you by Faith in this life may come to live in your presence in the next. Amen.

Bless this home, Almighty God, that it may be a dwelling of grace, love, peace, happiness, forgiveness health, humility, goodness, mildness, and obedience. Amen.

God Bless,
Pray for Peace,
Fr. Cyrus

 

Pastor’s Message: December 31, 2023

Dear Parishioners,

On this last Sunday of the year, we celebrate the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. We are reminded of the importance of family in our lives and the role that each member plays in supporting and nurturing one another. The Holy Family is a model for all families, showing us the virtues of love, sacrifice, and obedience to God.

As we reflect on the past year and prepare for the new one, let us take time to appreciate and cherish our own families, and pray for God’s blessings upon them. May the Holy Family guide us in our daily lives and inspire us to be better spouses, parents, and children.

Blessings in this Christmas Season and in the New Year

Pray for Peace!
God Bless you,
Fr. Cyrus