DAY ONE OF OUR NEW YEAR; THE EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS; DAY OF PROMISE, DAY OF HOPE...........

The human spirit has an inherent desire to hope, to look fforward to the future with optimism and confidence, thus the beginning of the New Civil and Calendar Year is for most people, an occasion to exercise a celebratory and hopeful disposition that the coming year will be a good and better experience for us, our loved ones, and others.  Just as keeping the prescriptions of the Jewish Law, eight days following His Holy Birth, Mary and Joseph were loyal in taking the Infant Christ Child to the Temple for Circumcision and to being given His Name Jesus, meaning, 'God Saves Us From Sin'; so too do the World's citizens mark this 1st Day of the Year of Our Lord, 2011 A.D., with festivities of Faith, Family, Fellowship, be it by attending Church to break the bread of God's Word and the Eucharist, albeit, in lower numbers than on almost any significant feast of the year - or in the parades, football games, foods and drinks, - and yes, even shopping they do.  After presiding at our 37 parishioners present 10:30 am Mass and going to breakfast with Father Tony, I kept the day quietly resting, relaxing, re-grouping for Sunday's 2 Masses and the Solemnity of the Epiphany Christmas homily; and watched TCM day's offering, a series of movie newsreels from the 1930's and 1940's, which fed my historical spirit going into another year of life.  Then they featured yesterday classic films starring the legendary actor of the silver and small screen, Walter Brennan.  A number of the movies (and they made 5 films together) were with his fellow actor and friend of the era,  Gary Cooper.  They included, "My Darling Clementine"; "The Pride Of The Yankees"; and "Sargeant York".  My favorite New Year's Day dinner of Baked Ham, was surprisingly made possible by a parishioner, who came into the sacristry before Mass this morning with two plates : one for me, one for Fr. Traynor, saying they were a perishable New Year's treat.  Upon opening it up at the lunch hour I found it was a plate of baked ham, which I enjoyed immensely during the afternoon and evening.  Here's hoping your day was a happy and invigorating day of hope for the 365 days just before us.  Happy New Year To You In The Promise And Hope That Is 2011...........Fr.  Troy