The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Dear Friend of St. Jude,
Our New Year opens with the beautiful celebration of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, on January 1st. As we look forward to all that 2019 brings, I want to thank you for supporting our Pallottine priests and brothers and wish you many blessings.
Mary is known worldwide by many titles, but the most important one is Holy Mother of God. Through Mary, God became incarnate and took on our humanity forever. This truth brings us much comfort – knowing that all human life is precious and sacred to God.
In preparation for this wonderful Feast Day, please join me in a reflection on a reading from Luke 1:26-38.
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Mary’s message is simple and speaks to us today: follow the Will of God and trust Him in all things.
We ask Mary to teach us to trust with our whole heart and soul. We also ask her to teach us wisdom and love – the wisdom to know that all humanity is precious and sacred to the Lord… and that God’s love is everlasting and unconditional. How powerful these words are when offered in the silence of our hearts.
When we listen, as Mary did to the Archangel Gabriel’s message, we can hear God’s voice leading us to walk with Him and trust in His word. Let’s take time each day to do as Mary did and follow the Will of God.
Thank you for walking with our Pallottine priests and brothers as we celebrate Mary’s Motherhood. Her simple words “be it done unto me according to your word” made her the Mother of God and changed the world forever.
As Pallottines, we strive to bring a message of hope to people who are struggling around the world. From delivering food and spiritual care to people in isolated villages in Peru. . . to offering an education to orphans in India. . . to providing shelter and emergency relief to refugees in Nigeria, our priests and brothers work on the front lines, caring for the poorest of the poor.
We rely on your donations to support these works of mercy – and pray that you will continue your generosity. Your gift this New Year will help us spread hope where this is none.
Our Pallottine priests and brothers will be honored to remember you and your loved ones in prayer. We will call upon St. Jude’s powerful intercession for those in your life who need help and hope – perhaps a relative is battling an addiction…a child is facing unemployment…or a dear friend is fighting a serious illness.
I invite you to send us your intentions. Your prayer petitions will be lovingly remembered in prayer and all our good works. Please continue to help us by supporting our ministry with a New Year’s offering.
Our deep appreciation goes out to you for all you continue to do for us. Thanks to your prayers, sacrifices and financial support, we are able to do the work God has called us to do.
May Mary bless you and your family in the New Year,
Fr. Peter Sticco, S.A.C.
Novena Director
P.S. This New Year, please give the most precious gift of prayer. Send us your prayer requests, including your own needs and intentions, so we may pray for you and those you love. I will make sure your prayer requests are remembered in the prayers, Novenas and Masses at our Shrine.