As we step into the New Year, I pray God's blessings will fill your heart and homes with peace, joy, and abundant hope. Each new year, we are reminded of God's enduring love, and the fresh opportunities God gives us to be beacons of hope and instruments of peace. Let me suggest a few ways we can live this out in the coming year.

Deepen your Prayer Life. Set aside daily moments to connect with God. Prayer strengthens our trust that God is with us and fills us with peace.

Practice Gratitude. Begin each day by thanking God for the blessings in your life, no matter how small. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to the good things we have.

Embrace Forgiveness. Let go of past hurts and extend grace to those around you. Forgiveness brings healing and peace to our hearts.

This weekend, we celebrate The Epiphany of the Lord and will hear these words from Isaiah, "Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you." Isaiah 60:1 We are reminded that Jesus brought light to the world. Our faith in Jesus now becomes that light too. It's not just personal but meant to be shared in life together, life in community. This is an important aspect of our faith to remember as we continue to build the Catholic Community of Oak Park and our Neighbors.

Let us worship and live as people who care for each other, who help each other, and who watch out for each other. Jesus came for all of us, and now we are brothers and sisters, the family of God! With His light to guide us, let us build a community that reflects Jesus living in and through us. To do so is to bring HOPE to those around us and to the world.

With you a Christian. For you a priest.

Father Carl Morello
Pastor
Ascension and St. Edmund Parish
St. Catherine of Siena – St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish