January 11, 2026

Dear Friends,

I’m thinking of a song Carol Burnett sang to close her weekly television show. Part of the song would go like this, “it seems we just got started and before you know it, comes the time to say so long.”

The Christmas season comes to a liturgical end this weekend. For me, it does seem like we just started and here we are ending the season celebration with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

This weekend at our masses we will renew our own baptismal promises and be blessed with Holy Water. As the baptism of the Lord is noted in each of the Gospels, it signifies the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. For you and I this weekend, it is a time to acknowledge our own baptism and how we share the Good News of Jesus Christ by our “public ministry.”

How do we live out our baptismal commitment in witnessing to the faith we profess? What do we acknowledge in the life of Jesus? What do we take hold of and live out as He did among all people?

I received many Christmas cards and well wishes these past few weeks. I am grateful for all your goodness to me, your prayers and support as we share our faith with one another. One card I received expressed these words, “Every time a hand reaches out to help another…that is Christmas. Every time someone puts conflict aside and strives for understanding… that is Christmas. Every time people forget their differences and realize their love for each other… that is Christmas. May this Christmas bring our world

closer to a spirit of caring, closer to the blessing of peace.”

These words remind me of what it is to live our Baptism among one another

We will conclude the Christmas season and begin the rest of the liturgical year. May we go forth living the life of Jesus Christ and find we desire being one, holy, catholic and apostolic.

Again, thank you for all your cards, gifts and most importantly, living our faith joyfully among each other.

Blessings,

Father Rob