Pastor's Corner

Back in September of 2019, Pope Francis declared that the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time would now be known as Word of God Sunday. On the heels of celebrating the “Word made Flesh” at Christmas, the Holy Father wants to drive home the message that the Lord continues to dialogue with His people through the Holy Scriptures. It's always great to read passages from the Old Testament and to see how they are fulfilled in Jesus. Sometimes the Gospel writers make it clear when in narrating the story they will say, “all this happened so that the words of the prophets might be fulfilled…”  This past week, the Letter to the Hebrews reminded us that we have been given the gift of hope as an “anchor for our soul,” through the gift of God’s Word and Promises fulfilled in Jesus.

It made me remember the Jubilee Year and our call to be “Pilgrims of Hope.” The logo for the Jubilee shows the pilgrims holding on to the anchor, which is also the cross. The anchor has long been a symbol of hope for Christians. Just as the anchor keeps the boat fixed in place despite the conditions of the sea, so Jesus is our anchor who keeps our souls secure when the storms of life cause us to be afraid and make us doubt. 

Good to remember Pope Francis’ invitation to us this Year of Jubilee: “Jesus is our hope. He is the path to be followed. He is the destination of our pilgrimage. Let us walk together toward Christ in love.” May this Word of God Sunday remind us to open our Bibles to read God’s promises fulfilled in Jesus, and continually discover the “anchor of hope for our souls” that leads to our inheritance of God’s promises in heaven.

This week we celebrate Catholic Schools Week. Throughout the nation, parishes and schools will be celebrating Catholic education. This year marks 33 years of Catholic Education at Nativity School.  From the founding of the parish 39 years ago, our Catholic School was part of the plan. Our school and the Catholic education of our youth continues to be a primary mission for our parish today!

We are excited about the steady growth we have experienced in our school over the past five years. The Day-School model for Early Education has proved to be a primary feeder, excellent preparation, and seamless transition for children to begin their elementary education in Kindergarten at Nativity. Our afterschool care is a bonus for working parents. We are blessed to be a STEM accredited school with a strong commitment to a 21st Century Learning model.

Congratulations to our students, teachers, administrators, staff, and parents as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week. Thanks for making Nativity School the wonderful place it is! Special thanks to all Nativity parishioners for your support of the parish which enables us to continue the legacy of Nativity Parish School.

“May it always be known that Christ is the reason for our school. He is the ever-present teacher in our classrooms, the inspiration of our students, the model and example for our faculty. His Gospel the first text, His values the first lesson!” Nativity School is a place where our kids learn to grow in friendship with Jesus and put their faith into practice, loving and serving in his example.

Thanks for all the ways you are “Doers of the Word” in our community.
Have a great week!
Fr. Mike  

Last week, President Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor, with distinction, to Pope Francis. In presenting the award, the president called the pope, “A loving pastor, he joyfully answers children’s questions about God. A challenging teacher, he commands us to fight for peace and protect the planet. A welcoming
leader, he reaches out to different faiths. His mission of serving the poor has never ceased. He is the People’s Pope. A light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly
across the world. " As I read the announcement, it was a realization that people in the Church make a difference in the world! It made me appreciate the Holy Father’s leadership even more. Good to note that in 2004, President George W Bush gave this honor to Pope John Paul II. And in 1963, President Lyndon Johnson bestowed the distinction upon Pope John XXIII, posthumously.

People in the Church (all of us) are called to make a difference in the world around us. Jesus commissioned us: “You are the light of the world.” He called us to let our light shine brightly, and hopefully through our good works of love and mercy, the Father is glorified. As St. Francis prayed, “Lord, make me an instrument.”

St. Paul drives home the point in our 2nd reading from his 1st Letter to the Corinthians. We will continue hearing passages from this letter on Sundays until Lent begins. It’s a wonderful letter about the Church, who we are as the Body of Christ, the unique gifts and talents of individual members given by the Spirit for the vitality of the Church, working for the common good, and daily Christian living. In teaching about the Church, Paul will use the image of the human body and
compare it to the Body of Christ – the Church. In Paul’s mind, since each of us makes up part of the Body of Christ, if we are not participating, using our gifts, sharing of ourselves for the good of the Church and the common good of society, then we are not all that we can be! Each Member is so important. You make all the difference! Thanks for the ways that your presence, your prayer and worship, your gifts, talents, abilities, energy and financial resources are shared so generously for the good of Nativity, the greater Church and community!

January 18 begins the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. For over 100 years, Christians around the world have taken part in an octave of prayer for visible Christian unity. By annually observing the WPCU, Christians move toward the fulfillment of Jesus' prayer at the Last Supper "that they all may be one." It’s also a week to be in solidarity with Christians who are persecuted for their faith.

Monday, January 20th is the Inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America. Let’s pray the Lord’s blessings upon President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and their cabinet, asking the Holy Spirit to empower them to be good leaders for our country. Let’s pray for healing in our nation and the ability to work across party lines for the common good. Monday, January 20th also celebrates Martin Luther King, a National Holiday in the USA. The Church reminds us that it is a good day to pray for an end to racial discrimination wherever it exists.
Wednesday, January 22nd marks the 52nd anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision which legalized abortion in our country. This anniversary reminds us again of our call to proclaim the Gospel of Life – to cherish, protect and care for all human life from conception until natural death. For a greater respect for human life in our world, for an end to all atrocities committed against human life, and for the grace to see the image and likeness of God in every human person – We pray.

January is the month dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. Growing up at the Cathedral, I always remember the way Archbishop Strecker ended Mass invoking the Name of the Lord. Let’s pray this solemn blessing upon ourselves and the events of this week.
Blessed be the Name of the Lord – Both now and forever.
Our help is in the Name of the Lord – Who made heaven and earth.
And may the Blessing of Almighty God, + Father, Son and Holy Spirit descend upon you and remain with you for ever and ever. Amen!

Love and Peace,
Fr. Mike