Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

My Dear Parishioners,
 
We gather to celebrate the Lord’s Day on this final day of the 2017 civil year and the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.  Today we look intently at the Nazareth home which is the model for all Christian households.  From this home we can find the virtues and attitudes which make strong family life and which serves as a school in transmitting the ways of holiness.  Saint Joseph, the head of this family, along with his beloved spouse, the Blessed Virgin Mary, jointly nurtured the Child Jesus surrounding Him with love and faith.  Their influence formed the Lord Jesus so that He would be prepared to undertake the work of salvation for which He was chosen.  Like all families, this family too experienced challenges and sufferings of which only some are described in the Gospels.  Because of their love and faith these forces were defeated.
 
Today there are also powerful forces which are trying to erode family life.  Our secular culture and its endorsement of “unholy things” make this time an especially concerned one.  Christian parents must work hard each day to reinforce holiness in the home.  Everything our young people encounter can destroy faith from peers to the entertainment industry.  Parents must be on guard everyday to guard against the destruction of a child’s faith.  Parents must model for their children the Christian life by their spirituality and the virtuous way in which they conduct themselves.  Parents need to establish guidelines and rules which will keep out of family life the satanic forces which will lead to darkness and death.
 
Let me take advantage of this feast and this pastor’s article to ask for some help from you, my dear parents.  I ask you to remind you son and daughter about the manner in which they conduct themselves even here at church.  Many times I will get reports from our priests and lay catechists regarding the disrespect and misbehavior which is shown at our religious education classes.  I am depending on you to regularly remind and reinforce the good behavior which should be the hallmark of all our lives.  Your guidance and supervision are crucial in forming your child spiritually, physically and emotionally.  YOU ARE THE KEY!
 
Today the Church points us to the Holy Household of Nazareth.  Let’s pray each day that the Lord will provide us with the strength and determination to build up one another in love and faith.  Family life is the key component of human society.  I am praying for your family and all the families of our parish that the Lord will bless you today and in the New Year!
 
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Father Zig