Dear Family of Immaculate Heart of Mary,

On Tuesday, February 2nd, we celebrate a wonderful feast in the Church, the Presentation of our Lord in the temple. This feast is also called, Candlemas, or little Christmas. It is a moment when tradition recognizes that Jesus, the Light of the World, has entered into public ministry and into the world. Jesus’ light begins to transform human life, human history, and the darkness of the world. When Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to Anna and Simeon in the temple, they presented Him to the world. It is another Christmas because Christ the Light has entered into the darkness of light. In honor of that moment, the Church invites people to bring candles to church on February 2nd to have them blessed and bring his light into our personal lives. I encourage those of you who can attend, to join us at the 6:30 am mass or 8:30 am mass and bring your candles; we will bless them after these masses.

Jesus’ light begins to shine ever more brightly in the world through the many miracles He performed in His early ministry. As He walked among the people healing them, opening the eyes of the blind and forgiving their sin, He demonstrated how important the light of faith truly is. In today’s world, that light needs to continue to burn brightly. We live in a world touched by darkness. The darkness is caused by natural tragedies, such as in Haiti, or the darkness caused by hatred and war, in such places as Iraq and Afghanistan, or the darkness caused by life itself when a loved one dies, when a person discovers they have a terminal or chronic illness, or when they suffer from anxiety or depression. So often there is so much darkness that we wonder how to make it through the days or weeks ahead. However, faith reassures us that for those who have a deep abiding relationship with Jesus, that darkness will never completely overwhelm them. I find it fascinating that the survivors of the tragedy in Haiti, survived days of absolute and total darkness. Imagine their fear and anxiety as they lay trapped beneath the rubble of their lives. Without food, water or medical help, without knowing when, or even if they would be rescued, what sustained them? It was Jesus! It was a light that burned brightly in their hearts and minds. It was the fact that Jesus was present to them in spite of complete and absolute darkness. That light comes from faith. That light comes from the whole understanding that for those who know Jesus will never be alone or in darkness. That light, which sustains people in every type of darkness, comes from the realization that we are each created with a divine light within, in the image and likeness of God Himself. For people who truly believe that, and who know it first hand, they will never be trapped in darkness. They know His light, feel His love and are sustained by Jesus Himself, even in the darkest of moments.

On this feast of the Presentation, come and have your candles blessed, stop and light a candle in church, and as those lights begin to burn offer a prayer for those in darkness. Pray that Christ’s own light will radiate in that darkness, penetrate that darkness, and inspire those without hope. If we use our candles to remind us of the need all people have to hold onto a light that cannot be extinguished, then Christ’s light will be presented to them in a divine and mysterious way, just as Jesus was presented in the temple.

Thank you for your generous response to the tragedy in Haiti. I am not sure any of us know how terrible their situation really is. So, PLEASE KEEP GIVING! We are currently focusing our relief efforts on two possibilities: St. Gerard’s school in Port-au-Prince and the town of Gaunthier where the church, school, and many homes were destroyed. Both would be worthy efforts and are in dire need. It is still difficult to know what exactly we can do. David Pipp has made contact with priests working with both of these causes, and while it is unimaginable to hear their stories, we are confident we can assist them. I look forward to giving you more information as it comes to us. These people are still simply recovering their loved ones, searching for food, and trying to find shelter. In the coming days or weeks, we are planning on holding a community meeting where all our concerned parishioners can have a voice in how best we can respond. Please pay close attention to the bulletin and announcements, and please keep donating your charitable offering. The money will be essential if we are truly serious about carrying His light to those in darkness.

In Jesus, Fr. Greg