New Year ~ New Covenant

Dear friends on the journey,

Merry Christmas, Blessed Solemnity of Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, and Happy New Year!

The first of January ushers in a new year, a fresh beginning, and a time when we resolve to improve ourselves. Typically, these resolutions are focused on improving our body, our physical well-being through new diet and exercise routines, or perhaps we desire to expand our minds by trying a new hobby, reading more, or expanding our knowledge base. All good and necessary, but this year I invite you to consider a spiritual resolution, a commitment to attending to your spiritual life with the goal of deepening your relationship with God, understanding your Catholic faith better, seeking ways to encounter Jesus, and living as an intentional disciple here at church but in your daily living.


According to a New York Times article, resolutions will be successful if the SMART principle is used. They need to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. If you choose to include a spiritual resolution for 2023, I think you’ll find we have just the tool to assist you.


Today as we usher in 2023, our Pastoring Team is happy to share a new parish covenant. Three years have passed since our last one so I’ll refresh your memory. Our annual parish covenant between the Pastoring Team and parishioners is meant to draw us into discipleship by committing to a level of engagement in a Catholic way of life and a closer relationship with Jesus. The document you received this weekend is the result of collaborative efforts between our Parish Council and Pastoring Team who spent the last six months brainstorming and crafting a fresh new document. Know that the Pastoring Team is committed to our promises, our guiding principles. And I hope you find the proposed parishioner promises to be just - simple, practical, yet challenging. Growth happens when we step out of comfort into the new, different, or unknown.


Please read the covenant prayerfully, sign it, keep a copy to post on your fridge, and return next week. I pray this new covenant will be a helpful aid in living your new year’s spiritual resolution all year long.


Our first reading from Numbers offers these beautiful words for the new year: 

The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!



​Siempre Adelante,

Teresa Runyon
Pastoral Associate 

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