Fr. Aidan Writes:
The New Year brings with it the tradition of New Year’s resolutions. Let’s be honest, most of us somehow or another fail to keep them! Often they are resolutions such as, “I must lose weight”, or “I must stop eating so many candies, etc.” I think the reason we give up on them is because they are formulated as negatives. Perhaps we could reformulate them and, instead of them being about material things, they could be about our spiritual life in 2023. Maybe, “I will work on developing this particular virtue”, “I will be more regular in my bible study” “I will be more merciful and forgiving”, “I will return to regular Sunday Mass after being on Livestream so long!”
As a parish, we will be focusing on the Eucharist as part of the national revival of our understanding, devotion and celebration of this sacrament at the heart of our Catholic lives. I want to set a “homework” for us all in 2023; it is a simple regular reflection, “How is the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist real for me?” In other words, “what is my relationship with Jesus who comes to me so powerfully and truly in the Eucharist?”
May our good Lord bring you many blessings this New Year, and may our Blessed Mother intercede for us along with our patrons, St Louis, St Anthony and San Ramon. May St Joseph protect and guide your families.
Fr Aidan-Peter CJ
May God bless you, your families, and the week ahead,
Fr Aidan Peter