We are Family

Dear friends on the journey, 

When our children were young, we taught them that everyone in the household had to help. In a house with two full- time working parents and three kids, the only way to keep a house running was for everyone to have age-appropriate chores. While my husband and I did the bulk, the kids learned early on how to take out the trash, do their own laundry (mostly polyester uniforms that couldn’t be ruined), straighten their rooms and bathroom, unload the dishwasher, set the table and mow the lawns. We felt this same philosophy that we grew up with and served us well would be beneficial in the formation of our children. Today they will tell you that they are better for developing actual household skills and growing in responsibility and confidence.


Today is the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and, while there are options for the readings, they all focus on the importance of family. The first reading tells of the wisdom and justice in honoring fathers with the alternate first reading we hear of God’s promises that Abraham and Sarah will have a son. The second reading tells us how to live together as families and in the gospel Joseph and Mary take the infant Jesus to Jerusalem for the ritual of purification. There they meet Simeon and Anna, who both speak about Jesus' future. Afterward, the Holy Family returned to Nazareth, where Jesus grew strong and wise, with God's favor.


The Holy Family stands as a model of the virtues of obedience, faith, patience, and humility. It offers a model for Christian families in living a life centered on God. The final verse of the gospel, mentioning Jesus growing and becoming strong, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God being upon Him, emphasizes the importance of growth in virtue and grace. It is a reminder that spiritual and moral development is a lifelong process nurtured within the family.
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This feast that happens to fall this year on December 31 is an ideal backdrop for our 2024 parish covenant. The document you will receive today is two-sided, the first side being the promises made by the pastoral team to you, our parishioners and the second is a list of ideas for you, individually and/or as a family to commit to this new year. The commitments listed are all new this year and are suggestions designed to help you grow as Jesus did in his family: strong, wise, and with God’s favor and in discipleship responsibility, confidence, spirituality and most importantly in relationship with our good and gracious God. 

Take it home and prayerfully consider what you will commit to this year then return it to the altar next week. Imagine how our parish will grow together, stronger, and closer in our domestic churches and a church
family, as we strive to encounter Jesus and be his disciples.


Siempre Adelante,
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Teresa Runyon
​Pastoral Associate 

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