Dear Parishioners,

Last Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This feast is the liturgical conclusion to Christmas Time. The liturgical time that follows the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is known as Ordinary Time. This is the time between Christmas Time and Ash Wednesday, and between Pentecost and the First Sunday of Advent. The use of the title “Ordinary” is a reference to the numbered Sundays   during these periods. Ordinary Time presents to us through  biblical texts and prayers of the Mass, an invitation to focus on faithfully following the Lord as His disciples, learning from his teaching and finding strength in his wonderful deeds. Ordinary Time encourages us to live more fully from the graces of our recent celebration of the Nativity and Epiphany of the Lord. As we begin this new period of liturgical time, may we resolve to hear more fully the Gospel of Jesus and pray with his Church for a greater fidelity to this Gospel in our Christian lives. Monday, January 17, 2022, is Martin  Luther King Day. This federal holiday commemorates the civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. and his achievements. This holiday in many places is also an opportunity for people to give service to others. For all of us, this holiday is a reminder of the necessity to rid ourselves and society of any type of racism. Racism continues to raise its ugly head in so many circumstances. May this year’s observance of Martin Luther King Day speak to all of us to examine our own conscience in regard to racism with the firm purpose of eliminating it from our mind and speech. This is the first step in eliminating it from society. The annual March for Life will be Friday, January 21, 2022, in Washington D.C. The March for Life is a response to the January 22, 1973, decision of the Supreme Court to legalize abortion in the United States.  Legalized abortion continues to be a scourge on our land and allows for the legal disregard for the protection of all life. If possible, you are encouraged to join the thousands of Catholics who will be in Washington this Friday. If you are unable personally to join the March, then you can do so  spiritually. Come to our Parish Liturgy. Here is the Schedule: 7:30 a.m. Eucharistic Adoration, 8:15 Rosary and 9:00 a.m. Mass. Pray for those marching in Washington DC and the intention of the March. Ask Our Lady, with her holy Rosary, to bring an end to the senseless taking of innocent human life in the womb. Thank you to all our parishioners and    visitors for your goodness and generosity to Saint Benedict the Abbot Parish on Christmas Time. Your support of the Parish and its many ministries is overwhelming. Thank you so very much.

God bless you,

Father Jose Elias