Dear Parishioners and Friends:

Monday, January 21, we celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King (the actual date is January 15). Dr. King was a prophetic voice in a troubled time who constantly reminded us that injustice anywhere was a threat to justice everywhere; and that while we have learned to swim in the sea like the fish and fly in the air like birds, we have just not yet learned to walk the earth as brothers and sisters. Isn’t it tragic that fifty one years after his death, those words are still ever so true. Let us pray for our Country, that we might recognize the other as brother and sister, not the enemy. 

Tuesday, the 22nd, is the Anniversary of the Roe Vs. Wade decision. Let us pray on that day that all will recognize that life is the most important of all values, and while it cannot be proven that there is viable human life from the first moment of conception, since the opposite cannot be proven, we, as Catholics, hold to the position that the baby in the womb, in whatever form, has a right to life.

We are in the time of special prayer for Christian unity. hopefully that has been and will be the intention of your daily prayer. The Church, the people of God, the body of Christ.....divided by historic moments.... but one church! If only we could overcome our divisions and truly be one. Let us pray for that every day. Oh, how much more effective we would then be as we strive to do what the church is challenged to do in our pluralistic society....make room in the public argument for the moral dimension.

“If you allow yourselves to discover the rich teachings of the church on love, you will discover that Christianity does not consist of a series of prohibitions which stifle Our desire for happiness, but rather a project for life capable of captivating our hearts.” These words of Pope Francis addressed to the young are valuable, I believe for all of us.

Remember Baptisms are celebrated in Lent only in case of an emergency. This year Lent begins on March 6th and ends with the celebration of Easter on April 21st. 

We assist at the Riverside Nursing Home, bringing Communion every Wednesday to the many who dwell therein. Would you be able to help in this effort? You will be properly prepared, and it is my hope, that if about eight people would be willing to help, we would be visiting no more than twice a month or so. 

A word of congratulations to Justice Eileen Bransten (Simpson), one of our Eucharistic Ministers and faithful members of this community, who retired after twenty-four years on the Bench of the Supreme Court of New York State. I had the privilege of being present at her retirement. What a treasure she was the Bench and what a treasure she is to us.

Thinking about this Government shutdown and the pain so many are undergoing, I think we are challenged to really make a difference. Perhaps you are saying, like myself, what can we do? Words come back to me…I wonder what you think of them. At the end of the Second World War, the Dominicans of Parish asked Albert Camus to come and speak to them about the rebuilding of Europe, and Camus, who described himself as a non-believer said: “It may not be possible for us to create a world in which no innocent children suffer. But it is possible to create a world in which fewer innocent children suffer, and as we try to do that, if we look to believers, and don’t find hep, where else will we go?” Believers…that is what we are it seems to me…with all the darkness that surrounds us we have to bring light…any thoughts? One of the great quotes of Dr. King haunts me, his words: “I will not stand idly by.”

January 21st is the Feast of St. Agnes. The Pope will be blessing the Pallia, the great symbol worn by Archbishops as sign of their unity with the Bishop of Rome. Those Pallia are made from the wool of baby lambs, that recall the innocence of Agnes. For my part, I always remember on this day the poem by John Keats, the Eve of St. Agnes, and the legend that on this day, one would dream of their true love!

Catholic Schools week begins next Sunday, January 27th. Join us at the 10:00am mass to help kick off the week and celebrate Catholic education.

As always pray for peace.

Father Duffell

PS. This Monday, the rectory will be open from 9am - 2pm in observance of Martin Luther King Day. The church will be open from 7am - 3pm.