** Scroll to the end to see how you can read the Catechism in a year! **
There’s a story about a son who called his parents to wish them a Happy New Year. When his dad answered the phone, the young man asked, “Well Dad, what’s your New Year’s resolution?” His dad replied, “To make your mother as happy as I can all year,” When his mom got on the phone he asked her the same question and she replied, “To see that your dad keeps his New Year’s resolution.”
We stand on the threshold of a new year. In doing so, we remember the events of the year just past and reflect on the year lying ahead of us. The beginning of a new year gives us a special opportunity to reflect on the gift of time. Part of that should be to express our gratitude to God for all the good things that happened, being aware of the sad and painful experiences, acknowledging and repenting of the sinful realities in our lives and resolving not to repeat missed opportunities to do good. But most of all we look upon the promise with the upcoming months of potential, even as we deal with the uncertainties that accompany them. And, as Christians, we remember to include a prayer for God’s blessings when making our resolutions.
A good one comes from the Old Testament book of Numbers (6:24-26) in the “Aaronic blessing” first offered by Moses and repeated countless times in the three thousand years since:
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!
A REMINDER
Please keep in mind the following liturgical changes at Visitation starting January 2019
- Recitation of the Prayer to St. Michael, for healing in the Church, immediately following the final Blessing at all Masses (for your reference, the prayer is printed on the back cover of the Missalette)
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, for healing in the Church, immediately following the Friday 7:30AM Mass in the Rectory Chapel
- The Sunday 12:30PM will be discontinued
As we continue our celebration of the mystery of the Incarnation during the Octave of Christmas, and about to begin a new year, please be assured of my prayers for all of you!
** READ THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN A YEAR!!! **
It's easy: just click this link:
https://app.flocknote.com/ChurchoftheVisitation/ReadtheCatechism
(you may need to "Show All Groups" so that you can join) and you'll get an e-mail each day that gives a brief explanation of the paragraphs and articles of the Catechism to browse at your leisure!
The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul.
Our FORMED Recommendation for the Week
Movie (59 minutes) - The Story of the Nativity
https://formed.org/watch/56be71286ee44c241e9caefb
The story of the birth of Jesus is often misunderstood. But this fast-paced, thought-provoking look at the true story of the Nativity clears away widespread misunderstandings of Jesus’ origin. Join top scholars, inspirational speakers, and popular authors as they explain the story behind the story of the birth of Jesus. The Story of the Nativity also includes stunning works of art depicting the biblical story, from Fra Angelico to Rembrandt, and footage from the Holy Land showing the places where the Christmas story actually took place. Explore the true story of Mary and Joseph, Jesus’s miraculous conception, the birth of John the Baptist, the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, the Star of Bethlehem, and the birth of Jesus. This is an invaluable tool for believer and unbeliever alike to learn more about Jesus of Nazareth and about the truth of Christmas.
Movie (59 minutes) - The Story of the Nativity
https://formed.org/watch/56be71286ee44c241e9caefb
The story of the birth of Jesus is often misunderstood. But this fast-paced, thought-provoking look at the true story of the Nativity clears away widespread misunderstandings of Jesus’ origin. Join top scholars, inspirational speakers, and popular authors as they explain the story behind the story of the birth of Jesus. The Story of the Nativity also includes stunning works of art depicting the biblical story, from Fra Angelico to Rembrandt, and footage from the Holy Land showing the places where the Christmas story actually took place. Explore the true story of Mary and Joseph, Jesus’s miraculous conception, the birth of John the Baptist, the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, the Star of Bethlehem, and the birth of Jesus. This is an invaluable tool for believer and unbeliever alike to learn more about Jesus of Nazareth and about the truth of Christmas.
If you haven't done so already, go to https://visitationrcchurch.formed.org/, click on the REGISTER NOW button. Enter your e-mail address on the registration screen and you're good to go!
Do you find these weekly eCommunity mailings useful and think that family members or friends could benefit? Invite them either by having them text VisitationBrick to 84576 on their smartphone or by signing up on our parish website at http://visitationrcchurch.org/ - we'd love to have them join us!