This Wednesday, January 1st, on the first day of the New Year, the Church will celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. The honoring of Mary as the Mother of God can be traced back to the Council of Ephesus in 431.The feast is a celebration of Mary’s motherhood of Jesus. The title “Mother of God” is a western derivation from the Greek Theotokos, which means “God-bearer”. On this day, we are reminded of the role that the Blessed Virgin played in the plan of our salvation. Through the Holy Spirit, God the Father prepared Mary to be the dwelling place where His Son and His Spirit could dwell among men. Christ’s birth was made possible by Mary’s fiat - “Be it done to me according to thy word”. Calling Mary “Mother of God” is the highest honor we can give to her. Just as Christmas honors Jesus as the “Prince of Peace”, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, honors Mary as the “Queen of Peace”. New Year’s Day is also designated as the World Day of Peace, further acknowledging the role of Mary in our hearts and in our world.

With Fr. Brandan and the entire Staff of St. John’s parish, I wish you all a blessed and healthy New 2025 Year. May God fill your hearts with faith, hope, peace, joy, and abundant graces. Please remember that Masses on Wednesday, January 1st, will be at 9:00 and 11:00 am in English and 1:00 pm in Polish. 

God bless, 
Fr. Gregg