A Blessed and Happy Epiphany!
“Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you!” Thus, the prophet Isaiah proclaims in the first reading for the Solemnity of the Epiphany. Jesus is manifested as the light for all people as the Magi come to adore the Infant and offer him gifts. For many people, this is the day when gifts are exchanged in families. This day continues to affirm that Jesus is God’s greatest gift to us. Let us accept this gift with gratitude and be thankful for what God has done for us.
Tomorrow, Monday, January 9, we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord and this concludes the Christmas season. Hopefully, this Christmas season has strengthened your faith.
I am happy to announce that St. Francis Church’s 2017 Pilgrimage will be November 1 to 11 and will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Apparitions in Fatima. We will be visiting Fatima in Portugal and Coimbra, Santiago de Compostela, Salamanca, Avila, Madrid in Spain, ending in Lourdes, France. The cost of the pilgrimage is $2,749 which includes round trip flight from NewYork, $700 in government taxes and airline surcharges, hotel accommodations (doubles), most meals, sightseeing, admission fees and $100,000 flight insurance. Brochures are available by email:areitz@stfrancisnyc.org and at the reception desk. A deposit of$400 and a copy of a valid passport are required to reserve a place. Single rooms are available at an additional fee. Last November, we had a full bus for the pilgrimage, so don’t wait too long to sign up.
-Fr. Andrew Reitz, O.F.M.