Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy New Year

After the reverie of ringing in the New Year, today will be spent in various ways, with any of a number of traditions. For some there will be a levy, perhaps hosted by the mayor of the city, or by some other promenent personality. If you're invited to such a soirée, go ... enjoy, meet new people, and wish them health, prosperity and all things good for 2010.

Greetings are being broadcast today from the Prime Minister of the country, from the Governor General, and other civic authorities. In Rome, the focus today is on the World Day for Peace. In addition to his homily spoken during the Mass today, and his traditional Angelus greeting, the Holy Father has published a printed text specifically focused on the value of protecting creation as a concrete sign of our commitment to promoting peace.

As we bid farewell to the decade that was, let us look forward in hope toward that which will be. January 1 is the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, a day of obligation in many parts of the world, a time for looking to the Mother of Jesus who is our example of discipleship. May she protect us throughout the coming year, and help us to grow ever closer to the heart of her Son.

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