Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
The bells ringing out the old year and ringing in the New Year remind us of how quickly time passes. Even since this time last year all our lives have changed in one way or another: we’ve seen new faces and places, met new challenges, embraced new opportunities, and encountered new problems. The turn of the year brings with it a mixture of sadness and hope, memories and dreams, regrets and resolutions. Some people won’t be sorry to leave 2016 behind; others will face the New Year with uncertainty in terms of family, health, relationships and financial pressures. They ask: Will 2017 be a good year?
At Masses on New Year’s Day, the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, the beautiful Blessing of Aaron from the Book of Numbers is read. Although it is two and a half thousand years old, its verses invoke a timeless message which is perfect for today:
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord look upon you kindly and bring you peace (Numbers 6:22-27).
To begin the New Year blessed by the presence of God is to hold on to hope, courage and trust even when we might be inclined to fret, fear or be anxious about the future. Our resolutions to change or do better are born out of the conviction that a fresh start is always possible and that conversion is achievable and good for us. Faith in God’s presence enables us to say: 2017 will be a better year. With the Lord’s face shining upon us in 2017, we can be more present to each moment, each person, every cry for help, every gifted opportunity that awaits us; every day, every hour, every moment can be truly blessed by the love and presence of God.
During the Christmas season, many of us have had the opportunity to be with family, to spend time in worship and to reach out in charity to those less fortunate than ourselves. Might these Christmas instincts inspire our resolutions for the year ahead – to spend more time with family and friends; to strengthen our relationship with God; to reach out to those in need?
May we always be a people of hope, and may we ask for the Lord’s blessing of each day of this New Year. Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Peace, Pray for us!
Fr. Robert T. Cooper
Pastor
St. Benilde Catholic Church
The bells ringing out the old year and ringing in the New Year remind us of how quickly time passes. Even since this time last year all our lives have changed in one way or another: we’ve seen new faces and places, met new challenges, embraced new opportunities, and encountered new problems. The turn of the year brings with it a mixture of sadness and hope, memories and dreams, regrets and resolutions. Some people won’t be sorry to leave 2016 behind; others will face the New Year with uncertainty in terms of family, health, relationships and financial pressures. They ask: Will 2017 be a good year?
At Masses on New Year’s Day, the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, the beautiful Blessing of Aaron from the Book of Numbers is read. Although it is two and a half thousand years old, its verses invoke a timeless message which is perfect for today:
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord let his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord look upon you kindly and bring you peace (Numbers 6:22-27).
To begin the New Year blessed by the presence of God is to hold on to hope, courage and trust even when we might be inclined to fret, fear or be anxious about the future. Our resolutions to change or do better are born out of the conviction that a fresh start is always possible and that conversion is achievable and good for us. Faith in God’s presence enables us to say: 2017 will be a better year. With the Lord’s face shining upon us in 2017, we can be more present to each moment, each person, every cry for help, every gifted opportunity that awaits us; every day, every hour, every moment can be truly blessed by the love and presence of God.
During the Christmas season, many of us have had the opportunity to be with family, to spend time in worship and to reach out in charity to those less fortunate than ourselves. Might these Christmas instincts inspire our resolutions for the year ahead – to spend more time with family and friends; to strengthen our relationship with God; to reach out to those in need?
May we always be a people of hope, and may we ask for the Lord’s blessing of each day of this New Year. Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Peace, Pray for us!
Fr. Robert T. Cooper
Pastor
St. Benilde Catholic Church