HAPPY 2011 !!!!!!!!!!!...........THE OCTAVE DAY OF CHRISTMAS HAS MULTIPLE DESIGNATIONS FOR US WHO ARE CATHOLIC-CHRISTIANS...........

2011 Is Here !!!!!!!!!!!  Fifteen minutes ago we ushered it in with Fanfare and Fireworks.  New York City's Times Square New Year's Eve tradition began in 1904, when 200, 000 attended.  Tonight, 1 million persons are gathered in Times Square New York, and 1 billion people Worldwide, are viewing the 39th annual Dick Clark's Rock'in Eve '11, With Ryan Seacrest, on ABC-TV.   Kudos to the now 81 year old, seven years post stroke sufferer, the venerable American music and entertainment icon, Mr. Dick Clark's continuing perseverance to appear annually on this New Year's broadcast.  He has firmly established himself as, "Mr. New Year's Eve in America"...........New Year's Day on the Catholic-Christian liturgical calebdar, historically has multiple designations of celebration.  The Circumcision of the Lord, denoting the Jewish Tradition of boys being circumcised and named on the eighth day after birth; thus the Christ Child is brought to the Temple by Mary and Joseph, and named Jesus, meaning He Saves Us from Sin.  Since the 4th Century A.D., and the Council of Ephesus, when Mary was defined as, The Mother of God, "Theokotos", in Greek - we have celebrated this 1st Day of the New Year and 8th Day of Christmas, as the Solemnity of the Motherhood of Mary, as the vessel chosen, who cooperated with God in being the Christbearer of God the Son, Redeemer of Humankind.  In 1968, His Holiness Pope Paul VI, declared January 1, "World Day Of Prayer For Peace", so today, for the 44th consecutive year, we especially pray for God's Peace everywhere, that eradicates War and establishes Justice and Harmony, on the Earth.  All of these themes and aspirations are a vital part of our New Year's Day 2011.  So if you need reason to truly celebrate the New Year's Day, you will find in the meaning of these feasts and purposes, every reason to keep this day in a God centered way...........Happy 2011, Everyone,   Fr.  Troy