Happy New Year! Today we begin a new Church year with the first Sunday of Advent. This is our time to prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas. As much as we buy and receive gifts the ultimate gift we all share is Jesus. Two thousand years ago the long- awaited promise from God to send a Savior was fulfilled as Jesus, the Son of God, came into our world. A good thought to contemplate as we get ready for Christmas is how much of a gift is Jesus to me personally, to us as the Church communally, to our nation, and to our world. We are challenged to focus our thoughts on the ultimate meaning of Christmas when we get too caught up in all the activities of gifts, cards, presents, and gatherings. Christmas is the birth of Jesus. He is the ultimate source of our hope, life, and peace.

I thank all who have listened to the appeal I made with the help of our Parish Finance Committee and trustees concerning our financial situation as the Parish of St. Patrick the past three Sundays. Your response has been very encouraging and inspiring. I thank you for thinking about your contributions and whatever you are able to give financially. As we share our time, talents, and resources together we continue to nurture the faith of one another, offer hope to one another, and grow in our love for God and one another. In other words we are the Church. How blessed we are for and with one another.

I thank you for your patience, concern, and receptiveness the past two weekends and today as we are speaking about our parish financial condition. I thank you for whatever you can do to help us keep all we are doing in our parish family as we pray together and share who we are and what we do with your financial support.

The Gospel today (Luke 20:27-38) speaks about life after death and most importantly heavenly existence. We do not anticipate life after birth when we are in the womb but are truly grateful for the gift of life and all those who have enriched, guided, and sustained us with their love. This Gospel passage calls us to trust that God will take care of us and we will be at peace with Him and one another.