Looking Back: 2023

Winter 2023

Blessing of the Epiphany Water
January 5 , 2023

"The voice of the Lord strikes fiery flames ....
...the Lord is enthroned as king forever."
                         ~  Psalm 28, Blessing of Epiphany Water

Epiphany celebrates the three-fold manifestation of Jesus as God: the revelation to the Gentiles as prophesied in Scripture, represented by the visit of the three Magi, the baptism of the Lord, in which the Holy Ghost descended upon Him in the form of a dove, and the turning of water into wine at the marriage feast in Cana. On the eve of the Epiphany, salt is exorcised, then the exorcised salt is used in the exorcism of the water, in an extensive and powerful liturgy against the devil and his deceptions. Water is essential to life and this ceremony exhibits our Christian belief that fallen creation is saved through the Incarnation.

During the Octave of the Epiphany, priests bless homes using Epiphany water, chalk and incense. Since the priests cannot visit every home, families are provided with blessed chalk that they too can do the ceremony in their homes. Families either fill a small bottle with Epiphany water after the Jan. 5th liturgy or bring their own water to be blessed during the liturgy. 

Ceremony for Blessing Homes, click here.

Photo Album:
2023 Blessing of the Epiphany Water
 
 

Solemn Requiem Mass for Pope Benedict XVI
January 3, 2023


Photo in public domain, courtesy of Tadeusz Gorny

Click here to see photos of the Solemn Requiem Mass at our parish. To read the Communique issued by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, click here.
 

Here We Come a-Caroling!
January 1, 2023

‘Tis our 2nd Annual Christmas Caroling Celebration! After the evening Mass, families gathered for Christmas caroling, marshmallow roasting, s’mores making, chili eating and food noshing to celebrate the birth of Our Savior and the joy of being together!

Photo Album:
2023 Christmas Caroling Celebration