Dear Parishioners,

Since the year 1300 the Church has inaugurat- ed Jubilee years every twenty-five years. A Jubilee Year is when the Church focuses on the divine life given to us by God. It is a time of spiritual renewal. This year began with the opening of Holy Doors at St. Peter Basilica in Rome on Christmas Eve and will conclude on the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6th) next year when the doors are closed. Crossing through the Holy Doors provides a special in- dulgence for all pilgrims who do so.

Pope Francis has made the theme of this Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope.” We are pilgrims because we are journeying in faith toward God. Hope is the theological virtue by which we trust in God and all that He promises. Like the Israelites in the wilderness, we see signs of God’s glory but we do not receive it yet until Our Lord returns. In the meantime, our hope spurs us on to follow the will of God in our lives and to ask Him for help.

This year in particular, we should dedicate ourselves to learning about our faith, prayer, works of charity, pilgrimage and sharing the faith with others. The Holy Father has given us the following prayer to say as well:

Father in heaven, may the faith You have given us in Your Son, Jesus Christ, our bother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of Your Kingdom.

May Your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, Your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth. To You our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever. Amen

God Bless!

Fr. Carter