Pastor's Weekly Message

Second sunday in ordinary time, 17-18 jan 2026

My Beloved Fellow Saints-in-the-Making,

Greetings in Jesus Christ, Who promises us eternal life through Baptism!

This Sunday, we celebrate the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time. The Christmas trees, poinsettias, and creche have all been removed from our sanctuary and placed in storage for next year. The wreaths and bows and bunting are all put away. And the same is likely in our homes. It seems pretty ordinary.

But let us not think that there is nothing to celebrate and that “ordinariness” is devoid of the sacred. Quite the opposite. Does not the Angel Gabriel come to the Virgin Mary in the ordinariness of her daily living to invite her to be the Mother of the Son of the Most High God? Does not the Angel of the Lord come to Joseph in the ordinariness of his sleep and dreams and encourage him not to be afraid to take Mary and the Holy Child she is bearing into his home?

And aren’t we challenged to love God and neighbor, family, friends, and even our enemies in the ordinary, daily routine of our Christian discipleship? Just because it is Ordinary Time—which simply means the liturgical time outside of Lent / Easter; Advent / Christmas—does not mean that we may relax our fervor for the Faith. Quite the contrary, we should be even more fervent as we emerge from the Christmas Season to live the joy and Good News of the Birth of Christ.

And to look for and value the ordinary miracles that occur every day. The theme song to the 2006 movie Charlotte’s Web entitled “Ordinary Miracle” encouraged viewers to do the same. Here are the lyrics: 

It's not that unusual /  When everything is beautiful / It's just another ordinary miracle today / The sky knows when it's time to snow / Don't need to teach a seed to grow / It's just another ordinary miracle today / Life is like a gift they say / Wrapped up for you every day / Open up and find a way / To give some of your own / Isn't it remarkable? / Like every time a raindrop falls / It's just another ordinary miracle today / Birds in winter have their fling / But always make it home by spring / It's just another ordinary miracle today / When you wake up every day / Please don't throw your dreams away / Hold them close to your heart / 'Cause we are all a part / Of the ordinary miracle

Miracles are all around. Just look in the mirror or in your family, and you will see one.

God love you! I do.

Fr. Lewis

PS: A reminder that our annual Parish Trustees elections will take place at all Masses next weekend, January