Beloved Parishioners,

The Jubilee Year of 2025, also known as the Ordinary Jubilee of Hope, proclaimed by Pope Francis, ends on January 6, 2026. It began on December 24, 2024, with the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. What this means is that we stirred the course of 2025 in the context of the Jubilee Year of Hope!

That was significant to our day-to-day affairs and that alone could be the reason we drew strength to carry on all through 2025.

As we close the Jubilee Year of 2025, a time set aside for mercy, forgiveness, and renewal, we stand at the threshold of 2026 with clear eyes and steady resolve. This past year invited us to release grudges, reconcile broken relationships, and realign our lives with God’s grace—challenges we met with varying success, but ones that sharpened our faith, nonetheless. Now, entering 2026, let us commit to a year defined by trust in God. Life’s uncertainties—health struggles, financial pressures, global unrest—will persist, but so will His faithfulness. This is why the Bible in Lamentations 3:22- 23 assures us that: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.“ May this be our source of trust and absolute abandonment of ourselves, our plans, and our move to God.

Trust means acting on His promises daily: seeking His guidance in decisions, leaning on His provision amid scarcity, and resting in His sovereignty when outcomes elude us. Scripture reminds us in Proverbs 3:5-6 to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

As the new year sets to roll in, I would recommend that you make this your practice: start each day in prayer, end it in gratitude, and face trials with the quiet confidence that God holds the future. 2026 can be a year of steady growth, not through our strength alone, but through unwavering trust in Him. Draw from Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This verse reminds us that earthly challenges do not derail divine purposes, offering assurance amid economic uncertainty and social unrest. May we strive to imbibe practical steps rooted in faith: daily prayer for wisdom in finances and relationships, community service to counter division, and gratitude practices to shift focus from scarcity to abundance.

I want us to frame 2026 as a year to rebuild hope through forgiveness and unity; this will mean actively practicing what we have learned during the Jubilee Year of Hope. Let me assure you that an absolute trust in God’s sovereignty and providence fosters resilience and doggedness which are prerequisites for a successful 2026.

During the course of last year, we Americans faced significant economic pressures, including persistent inflation and rising costs of living that strained household budgets across the country. Healthcare affordability remained a top concern, with many struggling to cover medical expenses amid high out-of-pocket costs. Immigration issues dominated public discourse, fueled by border policies and asylum surges following political shifts. Political polarization and distrust in government deepened divisions, while worries about corruption in business and politics rose sharply. Drug addiction, violent crime, and gun violence continued to affect communities, though perceptions varied by political affiliation. Homelessness resonated locally, and emerging fears around AI’s impact united concerns over jobs and regulation. Education faced ongoing gaps from learning disruptions, chronic absenteeism, and funding uncertainties tied to federal changes. But regardless of all that, we prevailed in and with Christ. This brings to mind Saint Paul’s classic exhortation in Romans 8:37 where he declares, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Invariably, this particular verse captures the triumphant hope we must embody as we embrace 2026.

Happy new year to you all and don’t forget to always pray and plan!

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