Dear Parishioners,

Rise up in splendor, St. Anne!  Your light has come! (cf. Is. 60:1). Yes! At Christmastime we put up our lights about our house, inside and out. For most of our culture, they have either already been put away or will be this weekend.  But, wait! Christmas isn’t over. No! We have one more weekend where we will conclude with the Baptism of the Lord. Christmas isn’t just a day or even twelve days. It’s a season! 

The lights we hang around our homes is intended to remind us that Christ, the Light of the world, pierces the darkness of sin. Yes! We are being called to bring into the light that which is in darkness. Know and have confidence that our Lord wants to forgive our sins, but not just ours, but everyone’s sins.  Yet, we so often prefer to keep our sins hidden from God. Do not be afraid! Seek out the Lord like the Magi who knew that a newborn king had been given to our world. Remember that they had to traverse difficult and dangerous terrain to reach the Christ child. And so do we. Our terrain isn’t that of literal hills and valleys, but that of our fears, shame, and egos. Do not let anything keep you apart from Him who loves you so very much. Just as the Magi were overjoyed to see the guidance of a star, we, too, can know that the Church guides us to the Morning Star who is Christ our Lord.

Once you have encountered Him who came to us in a manger, make a gift of yourself to others. Give away your anxieties and share your love with those around you. Be joyful and radiant in the knowledge that you have personal knowledge of God. Share that blessing with others, for that is our calling as Christians. That is our vocation to the world. 

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor