Prayerful Hope For The Future - 2016

In Gratitude and Thanksgiving for the Past and Prayerful Hope for the Future

As we bid farewell to the eventful and memorable year of 2015 and welcome 2016, let’s take a moment to sit back and reflect on the past year. There have been moments of joy and sadness, success and failures. Let’s ask ourselves what have we learned through all the events that have come to pass.

If we see the hand of God guiding us, showing us the way throughout 2015, then we can forge ahead as a people of Joy to take on 2016! How can we be joy-filled amidst the clouds of uncertainty that we know will yet hover above us into the New Year? Essentially, it is because we know that Jesus IS in our midst! He is with us if we lose ourselves in Him, get out of our selfish lifestyle and let Him move and live among us. It takes an act of faith, of mercy as we reach out to others in need.

Soon we will be doing the registration for the catechism students. We encourage parents to register your children. Our children are capable of understanding deep teachings and profound mysteries. All the wonders and joy mean nothing, if we fail to let our little ones   experience the wonder of God in their lives. The Church wants them to experience the wonder of a tiny baby born long ago, a baby who was the Son of God made man. It is our catechism teachers’ duty to educate them gradually so that they may express their Christmas proclamation, “The Word Became Flesh and Lived Among Us” and tell the story of Jesus who walks with us in their own words. They are doing their best to help your children learn,  in the simplest of ways, the mysteries of the Child-Jesus, Church teachings and traditions.

As an outflow of God’s mercy towards us sinners, we can  confidently stretch out our hands to grant mercy and forgiveness to our brothers and sisters. When we do not hold grudges against others but forgive, then only can we be reconciled with one another and with God. First of all, we need to learn to be patient. Patience is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (cf Gal 5). In fact it is the key to focusing on the goodness that dwells within. Recognizing and believing this will move you in the right direction to enrich and prosper your life in unprecedented ways.

So, with a heart filled with thanksgiving and gratitude, I as your Parish priest, humbly implore God to bless you and your families with ten-fold blessings – with all that is good, righteous, beautiful and true! In the Year of Mercy, let us fire up our hearts for Christ and be determined, through prayers and works of mercy, to live and share a life that is happy and at peace with one another.

As we start the New Year 2016 we ask ourselves how we can be different than before! Will you enthusiastically say “yes” to God’s love and plan this Year of Mercy?

The New Year brings hopeful expectations to many of us. Perhaps this is the year that we allow God to radically change us ever humble, patient, kind and zealous to build up His Kingdom on earth. 

We, Catholics must be comfortable in sharing our Faith start with our own friends and families, and then go to the people who are little distance.

For the Jubilee of Mercy, we might consider these commitments as Catholic Christians to witness Jesus through works of mercy.

1 Pray daily and meditate on the mercy of God, “be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful." 

2 Go to Confession regularly to receive God's mercy deeply.

3 If you are caught in an addiction of any kind, get help!

4 Go out and demonstrate the mercy of God. Start with your own friends and family, and then go to the people of other faiths.

God is saying, “I am going to do a new thing," and He is going to open doors that you never even dreamed possible. 

Mary, Mother of God is perpetually interceding for our transformation into Christ.

Have A Blessed and Spirit-Filled New Year!

“Gloria in Excelsis Deo!”

We are in the light of the Nativity. We want to be home at Christmas, not because Christmas experience tells us we should, but because home our sweet home is where Jesus is, and at Christmas, we long to be with Him. We want to be in a place where love lives forever.

We want to be home for Christmas, because our hearts belong there, the whole families can be together, joyfully and triumphantly, singing wholeheartedly... “Gloria in Excelsis Deo!”

Christmas is such a beautiful time of year because we celebrating the most amazing mystery of our faith, the Incarnation, the Word became flesh on Christmas Day. During this time of the year —the glow of the lights, the decorated Christmas trees, the carols, and the extra kindness and charity people show to one another – everything about it has a way of lifting one’s spirits and bringing joy to the heart. 

Isaiah is the prophet of Christmas says, “Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel, (Is 7:14). "For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace, " (Is 9:5).

This is one of the most wonderful times of the year and many are waiting with anticipation to see what gifts we get this Christmas. The gift of God - the birth and life of Jesus offers us the perfect gift, "You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, " (Lk 2:12).

God gave us the ultimate gift of His Son so that we may all cherish this gift as we take the time everyday to unwrap it in our lives.

The Word Became Flesh on Christmas Day!

We had a wonderful and meaningful Advent. For some of you Advent was experienced as a little Lent – a trial and test of faith whereas for some of us it was just another liturgical season and it is over.

Now we are in the season of Christmas. We shall be celebrating this season till the feast of Baptism of the Lord (10/1/2016). Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year and many of us are filled with joy and hope. It is a time where we enjoy family gatherings and parties. Most of all Christmas season gives us beautiful liturgies, nativity scenes, exchanging of gifts, cooking, socializing and sightseeing the magnificent decorations in the surrounding neighborhoods. I hope that this will become a reflection of the beauty of the Child Jesus who ignites our human hearts.

At the start of the Jubilee Year of Mercy and our own Parish’s 2nd Mission – “Witnessing Jesus Through Works of Mercy,” let us keep the spirit of Christmas, Spirit of Joy of Christ being born in our hearts and homes. Yes! We shall bear witness to faith in Jesus Christ always and everywhere.

When you have meals together during this time of celebration with your families and with your loved ones, I believe that you do say grace before and after meals. Do add a line or two in your prayers remembering those who have little and nothing to eat. What more we can do? How can we be more charitable to them in this Year of Mercy?

Having experienced the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day let us continue to experience the tender mercy of God and as we pray patiently and fervently. We, as Christian Catholics, shall always keep Christmas holy, peaceful and joyful as a continuous commemorative to the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ – the greatest gift to us and to our families.

During this season I invite you to take the time to listen and read the Infancy Narrative of the Christ Child from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. We must impact our lives and set fire to our hearts with the one who with such tenderness was made flesh for our sakes! The word became flesh…. Our Emmanuel.

Merry Christmas to one and all.
Be at peace with each other and radiate love always.
I wish you a joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Enjoy your Turkey this Blessed Christmas.

Home is Where We Live Together!

Feast of the Holy Family

Without family, all humanity is homeless. Home is where we live together, where we share each other’s joy and weep each other’s tears. 

The devotions to the Holy Family was born in Bethlehem together with the Baby Jesus. In order to make us realize what family all about is, Jesus was born into a family.

The story of Jesus, Mary and Joseph going to Jerusalem is powerful story of family life with its joys, celebrations, tensions, and heart pain all rolled up and covered with a blanket of love. Even Mary and Joseph did not escape the tensions, anxieties and worries which are the ordinary ups and downs of family life. 

What kept the family together in the midst of all their tensions, anxieties; uncertainties? It is by their love - life giving, life sacrificing and life sharing.

When we celebrate the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we also celebrate our own families. As families, we are called to listen to each other intensely and to strengthen each other for strong family life. Each of us must take the responsibility for the family’s values.

On this feast of the Holy Family, please give us Lord grace and courage to practice the virtues that leads us to be in peace at home. Let us also remember to pray for families that we know especially for those with serious family problems!

The Epiphany Awaits Us

In today’s Gospel (LK 2:1-12), magi “from the east” ask, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” 

The Gospel tells us that the wise men had followed “his star” from “the east” in order to adore the newborn “King of the Jews.” 

The Magi are mystery precisely because God is a mystery. God is mystery but he has shown enough of Himself to us and said “God with us” and we still yearn to see more. 

Those who are sincere of heart will see God in their life. In the case of the Magi, their sincerity is shown by what they are willing to sacrifice to attain their goal. The journey required abandoning the comforts of their homeland, family members, and the pursuit of wealth. The intention was pure, for it was nothing less than the desire to encounter God’s living presence. 

We must put aside all but Him and let His hand lead us to that definitive encounter with His divine presence.

Every day we need to seek out the God who gives unconditionally so that His giving may impact us. Be it at Mass, in prayer, or in the works of mercy. Every day a necessary epiphany awaits you. Surely, we will see God! The Epiphany will be ours!

Towards A Truly Spiritual Christmas!

Today is the last Sunday of Advent. The season is about to end and we are closer to Christmas. 

From the first week of Advent, our ears were bombarded with Advent and Christmas songs everywhere we go.

Our celebration of Christmas is not a yearly birthday party for Jesus; it is the celebration of Him who once came in the flesh but who continuously comes. With Christmas around the corner, the days of Advent waiting are almost over. The Lord is coming very soon. 

A special attention is given to Mary. Mary has become more prominence on this last Sunday of Advent because, no one can help us to understand the meaning of Christmas better than Mary.

Mary is truly the model of Advent. God the Father prepared her from the first moment of her conception to be the worthy mother of His Son. Her “fiat”, her wholehearted “yes!” to the Archangel Gabriel, launched the immediate preparation for the birth of Jesus, the Messiah.

Today's Gospel is a story of Mary visits Elizabeth, (LK 1: 39-45). By going to Elizabeth’s aid, Mary was carrying the tiny Jesus in her womb and She became the first missionary, the first bearer of the Good News that would change all of human history. 

To bring joy to others this Christmas, we really have to bring Christ to others. He is the greatest gift we could ever bring to someone we love or to someone we meet. Without sharing Jesus, we are not giving our loved ones anything that is truly lasting. Bring Christ and you bring everything into someone's life.

In this Year of Mercy and as the day of Christmas quickly approaches, is there someone in my family or among my friends who is lonely, who is sick, who is estranged or alienated from me? How my presence can make a difference?

“Come Lord Jesus, come, through Mother of Mercy!"

It’s the first day of the Church's New Year – the very first Sunday in Advent - and as you’ll see, everything is a bit different today. The colours are different, the hymns are different, and there’s a sense of love and festivity in the air.

Advent and Christmas times are always busy with merrymakers around us. They come and go so quickly. But we should give more time and effort to our spiritual lives by living at our full potential is finding strength through Christ, the real meaning of these important liturgical seasons. Advent and Christmas are all about Christ coming to us.

Advent is a wake-up call – Advent confronts and wakes us from our dream. Advent is a time to wake up to Christ in our lives. We are invited to quietly prepare our hearts for His coming on Christmas so that He can be received by us with warmth and joy.

The “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” is what we should really prepare for. Christmas is about Our Saviour, Our Emmanuel and it begins in our hearts.

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is fine. The gifts, the shopping, the family gatherings are wonderful.

Pray that the Lord will help us during this Advent Season, which begins today, to see that the priorities in our lives, is preparing ourselves and those around us for a truly “spiritual” Christmas. Let us begin by opening our hearts to God, and humbly asking him, in the quiet of our hearts, for the grace to live this Advent better than the one before. 

Have a Jolly, Merry Advent & Christmas everyone!