Pastor's Notes - 01/07/2019

As we celebrate the Feast of the Three Kings and their gifts on this Feast of the Epiphany, we are reminded of our blessings given to us by God.  We have been given the gift of faith.  A faith in Jesus Christ our Lord that we profess. 

We live in a time where our government does not want to include all people, religions and customs, thus, there is a watering down of religious values in our society.  Satan is very much at work in our society and very much present in our lives.  There is a force of evil and you must believe in it, otherwise you will be overcome by it and lose your faith.

It starts with the little things, and you may say that it does not matter.  Our respect for God in our lives, for example.  Does your language show respect for the name of Jesus or God?  We talk about faults of others and their shortcomings, but we fail to recognize our own and really do not do anything about them.         
 
A bigger issue for so many Catholics is missing Mass on weekends and holydays.  It is still considered a serious sin and one needs to go to confession before receiving Holy Communion.  This is what the Catholic Church teaches in the catechism.  It has not changed except for the practice of it.  We, as priests, have not preached much about it.  I bring this topic up  because of a question that was addressed to me about New Year’s Day and the obligation to attend Mass.  It is the Solemnity of Mary, which is one of the five remaining holy days of obligation, along with Christmas, Immaculate Conception of Mary, All Saints and the Assumption of Mary into Heaven.  

This instruction will hopefully challenge us all to be better disciples of Jesus Christ.