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January 14, 2021

Vicar’s Corner

+JMJ+
Dear Friends,
You're probably fed up with COVID-19. So am I. Cases are up. There is another variant running rampant. Even those who have received the vaccine are getting sick. Some are dying. COVID-19 is not going away. It may seem like all we have done to "stop the spread" and "flatten the curve" was all for nought. What will 2022 bring for us? What does it mean for our health, our country, and our faith? Is there any hope going forward?

When I say 'hope', I do not mean to say 'optimistic'. Hope is something far different. On the one hand, hope does have a sense of optimism but only in part. It is more than just 'wishful thinking' - it is a virtue. As such, it is defined as the state of being on the way. So, now, hope, in its definition, intends for us to be heading in a certain direction. We define virtue as a habit of choosing the good. What is the ultimate good or the highest good of all? God. Hope, therefore, is the state of being on the way to God.

The state of being on the way is the journey of life. It is met with all sorts of ups and downs, conflicts, joys, and sorrows - including COVID-19. Yet the journey is not defined by the things that come up along the way, the journey is defined by God, the end, by the direction in which we are headed. We are all in search of meaning in our lives, of something that gives an explanation of reality - this is where hope fuels the journey because God becomes that which defines everything.

Friends, COVID-19 is NOT the enemy, fear is the enemy, the devil is the enemy - who uses every trick in the book to make us define our lives by fear. We have allowed COVID-19 to define our lives over the last 2 years now. The fact is we cannot add nor subtract any length of days to our lives. We are all in His hands. It is about time we look to Him with trust, confidence and love. It is time we allow Him to direct the course of our lives, make our decisions based on how it pleases the Lord and forms us in His love. Our faith - over fear - lived in this way, is altogether liberating because it is fueled by hope ... not in wishful thinking but rather in the joyful anticipation that God sees us through every difficulty and conflict. He sees us and walks with us in all aspects of our lives. Our focus ought to be staying with Him, grounded in His presence and love. In such a way that rejoices in the hope that we are indeed walking in His direction, toward the eternal life He promises - whenever that may come.
God bless you,
Fr. Jon
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Highlight Our Faith

What Is Hope and Why Do You Need It? (5:07)

Parish News

Christmas Concert: Originally planned for this past Sunday, the concert was canceled due to the inclement weather. We have rescheduled it for Sunday January 30, 2022 at 2pm! A little delayed but we will keep the Christmas Spirit alive!
Coats for Kids: Holy Family Parish Knights of Columbus Council distributed 55 new coats via the "Coats for Kids" initiative to various local schools and charitable organizations last month.
CCD: There is NO CCD this Sunday January 16, 2022.
Office Closed: On Monday January 17, 2022 the parish office will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr Day.
Dollars for Babies: The Alternatives Pregnancy Center is collecting donations in order to help women and families in crisis pregnancy situations. All proceeds go to help support families with basic needs such as formula and diapers. Baby bottles are located at the Sugarloaf St entrance of the church. If you are able please take a bottle, fill it with coins/cash and return to the office by February 27, 2022.
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