Beginning this Tuesday, January 11th at around 1:00 pm the lights in the main dome will no longer be functional. This will enable the electricians to disconnect wiring and begin to run new wiring to the main dome in preparation for the installation of the new lighting in about 7 weeks.  The installation is predicated upon the on-time arrival of the fixtures, for which I am praying there will be no delays.

We have installed some supplemental lighting, and ask for your continued patience as this project is completed.

Dear Parishioners,

In his encyclical, Caritas In Veritate,  Pope Benedict the XVI addressed issues related to life:

  “When a society moves towards the denial or suppression of life, it ends up no longer finding the necessary motivation and energy to strive for man's true good. If personal and social sensitivity towards the acceptance of a new life is lost, then other forms of acceptance that are valuable for society also wither away. The acceptance of life strengthens tmoral fiber and makes people capable of mutual help. By cultivating openness to life, wealthy peoples can better understand the needs of poor ones, they can avoid employing huge economic and intellectual resources to satisfy the selfish desires of their own citizens, and instead, they can promote virtuous action within the perspective of production that is morally sound and marked by solidarity, respecting the fundamental right to life of every people and every individual (no. 28, 4).”

As we draw near to the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States, let us renew our prayer and efforts to support the dignity of human life.  We are saddened by losing more than 60 million children to procured abortions.  You are invited to take part in the Annual Memorial Mass on the 49^th Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Decision on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at 10:00 am at the Cathedral Basilica.   Following Mass, there will be a Rosary Procession to Planned Parenthood.  

On this Sunday that follows the Solemnity of the Epiphany, we are celebrating the Baptism of the Lord. This was the first act of his public life, recounted in all four Gospels. Having reached the age of about 30, Jesus left Nazareth, went to the River Jordan, and, in the midst of a great crowd of people, had himself baptized by John. 

Mark the Evangelist writes: "And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; and a voice came down from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; in you, I am well pleased'" (Mk 1: 10-11). These words, "You are my beloved Son" reveal what eternal life is: it is the filial relationship with God, just as Jesus lived it and gave it to us. 

Now our celebration of Christmas concludes.  The Child, who the Magi came to adore at Bethlehem offering their gifts, and our attention now will be drawn away from this scene to discover Christ among us. The eternal truth of Christmas we take with us:  That God so loved the world that he gave us his only begotten Son.   

Msgr. Breier

Fr. Marco will not be available this week for Spiritual Conversation and Confession.  He will return next week.