The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord signals the end of the Christmas Season. But does it truly end there? Well, liturgically speaking, it does. However, if we keep the coming of Christ into the world as a starting point for the indwelling of Christ in our hearts, then Christmas never ends. God’s gift of His Son — his “beloved” in whom He is “well pleased” – is God living forever in us. When Jesus is baptized in the Jordan, he is commissioned to go out to the world and spread the Good News. Our own baptism is the starting point of grace that helps us to accept the challenge to go out into the world and live the Good News. May God’s beloved Son give us the grace we need to draw closer to him this year and bring him to those in need of Good News!
There are so many in our parish community who made Christmas a true celebration of God-with-us. Here’s a list with some words of thanks and love, and an up-front apology if I left someone off the list:
To God who gave us his only begotten Son, the greatest gift the world will ever know…To Mary whose “Yes” brought Jesus, the Christ, to a waiting and weary world and who taught us that “nothing is impossible for God”…To our Holy Father, our Bishop, and all who lead us in faith for encouraging us to find the hope that is in the Incarnation…To Father David, Father Franklin, Father Bob, Father Tim, Deacon Bill for their generous hearts in ministry throughout the year…To Dr. John Michniewicz and our amazing musicians for gracing us with heavenly music to enhance our worship…To Michael Musilli, our faithful sacristan who prepares our sanctuary for worship and cares for clergy and faithful alike before during and after Mass…To Johnny Osterndorf, the master of live-streaming technology – for bringing church to home each day…To Willie Roeder for his care of our church (and every other building on our campus): you make it shine so we can experience the light of Christ…To Kevin Richardson and Angel Dominguez who assist in the care of our campus …To the amazing office staff and other partners of Saint Aloysius: Danielle Balsamo, Sr. Donna Brodman, Rita Ferri, John Grosso, Susan Kiernan, Allison McCarthy, Mark Murphy, Jerry Murray (and his great team of weekly collection counters), Marie Osterndorf, Chris Otis, John Palma, Danielle Sibilia, Lynn Turiano, — for their creativity, flexibility, and endless dedication throughout yet another challenging year…To Elizabeth Auda, who has partnered with me in my responsibility as chancellor of our diocese and does so much for us in the parish as well…To our weekday Mass servers who rise early to help make Mass happen…To Trisha Albus who, along with Gregg’s Garden and Landscaping (and help from Willie, Michael, Kevin, Angel, Sue Scannell, Debbie Dewey and Bob Albus), created a truly festive and beautiful Christmas environment throughout our church and gymnasium…To Loretta Buzzeo, her family, the Knights of Columbus and the rest of the crew who create the beautiful nativity scene on the corner of Cherry Street and South Avenue…To our many ministry leaders, the pastoral council, finance council, ushers, linen washers, readers, extraordinary ministers, weekend altar servers, and to my brother Knights of Columbus for their works of charity all year and their helpful service in the parking lot at Christmas…
And to every one of you who came to celebrate the newborn King in church or on-line…
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Welcome to the Saint Aloysius! Our parish was founded in 1896 to serve the Catholic families that were settling in the greater New Canaan area.