January 7, 2024

We begin a new year every year by returning to a simple and yet incredible reality. The name of Jesus. Our devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus is Biblical in every sense. The Angel Gabriel, having been sent by God to the Virgin Mary, was sent with a name, and a request:  

“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” – Luke 1:31-33 – 

Mary responds: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” – Luke 1:38 

Joseph too receives a message from an angel: “She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21 –  

Together, they follow through with the naming of the Christ: When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. – Luke 2:21 – 

Saint Paul tells us: “God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:9-11 – 

Saint Luke also tells us: “There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” – Acts 4:12 –  

With that we pray: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

In Gratitude to:  

· The Sweatmons, the Amshoffs, Becky Able, and all of those who helped decorate for our wonderful Christmas celebrations! 

· Jeanie Noltemeyer and all of our choir members for sharing their talent with us especially through these most holy days!

· Jane Crawford, for organizing the breakfast celebration at Saint Benedict for my 8th anniversary of priestly ordination, and for all of those who came out to celebrate; it was a blessing to share the morning with you all!  

· Jose Cubero and all the Bounty of Hope Volunteers for their hard work in providing meals for the less fortunate.

•Those who have been able to come out for the Coffee & Conversation group on Wednesday and Friday mornings at Saint Aloysius. It has been a pleasure to share the time in fellowship and learning.

Two Parishes, One Heart,

 Fr. Adam