Dear Friends,

On this feast of the Holy Family, God shows us what it means to be in relationship with one another, caring and loving. I have never heard of the perfect family – only the human family. From the beginning, being a part of the human family has always been a "mixed reality." More so, in these complicated days, there is a great struggle to expand the definition of what "family" means and entails. Yet, with all of the pull and struggle that is currently going on, God reminds us that we are all intimately connected because we are all "children of God." As God's children, none of us are exactly the same – much like any particular family. As God's children, all of us share a common ancestry that is due to God's intimate love. As the saying goes, every human being "bleeds red." Jesus, who also bled red, shows us how to be the best of what it means to be fully human and fully alive. It is His presence that makes Holy the family of Mary and Joseph. It is His presence that makes Holy the family of the world. When Christ is the center of any and/or all of our relationships, holiness in the power of the Spirit will manifest itself for all to see.

It is hard to imagine what it would have been like to have Mary and Joseph as parents. Yet, by the grace of God, we do have them as the best spiritual role models that any child could experience. With open heart and open mind, they listened to the call of God who asked them to expand their set way of thinking and acting. By grace, they show us how to live our lives by allowing Jesus to be firmly planted in the center. By grace, Mary and Joseph show us how to trust in the Word of God though the path ahead appears to be unclear and blocked. By grace, they show us that God's wisdom and plan for life is far greater than our limited understanding. By grace, Mary and Joseph show us that the power of God's love, in the course of our human relationships, will overcome all earthly power and obstacles. And, by grace, the Holy Family models for all of us that love, truly rooted in Christ, is "the way, the truth and the life."

"Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence in God and receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as he commanded us."

My friends, on behalf of all your servant staff here at St. Hilary, may God bless you and your loved ones on this great occasion and at the start of this new year. I ask you to pray with me for the family community of St. Hilary, that we will all grow together more deeply in the love of God for each other and for those whom we serve in ministry.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Tarantino
Pastor