Happy New Year! As we thank God for the blessings of 2009, including survival through the ice storm, we look forward to the gifts God has planned for us in the new year. We already know that we will be blessed with a new bishop, and I sincerely hope and pray that we will finally begin the Restoration and Renewal work in the Church. Above all, we pray that this will be a year when we grow closer to God and that the bonds of love and unity in our families are deepened.
As you know, last Saturday was the feast day of St. Stephen. I was delighted to receive an email from Bishop-elect Medley on Saturday morning in which he said “Happy Feast of Stephen to you and all the Cathedral family!” Plans are progressing for his ordination on February 10th. It will be at the Sportscenter at two o’clock in the afternoon. I hope you will make plans to attend.
Many, if not most, of our Christmas decorations have been stored away for another year. However, the Church continues to celebrate the wonder of the Incarnation. Today’s feast of the Epiphany antedates the Church’s celebration of the Nativity on December 25th. The Christmas season comes to close next Sunday with the Baptism of the Lord.
Congratulations to those chosen to serve on the Parish Pastoral Council. Our four new members are: Laurie Hicks, Rita Roberson, Sandy Carden and Rose Ann Payne. Thanks to them and to the other ten who offered themselves for service.
I enjoyed a few days in Paducah last week with Mother and my family. I was not there on Christmas day, so I did not get to see some of my nieces and nephews who live in other places, but I did have time with mother and my four siblings and some of their children.
Love, Fr. John
