Some 20 years ago at the end of 1999 many people foretold that the turn of the new millennium would mean the end of the world. As we all know here we are at the end of 2019 looking forward to all the adventures that 2020 might bring to us and the end of the world has not happened though many things in our daily lives have changed with many people gone from our lives and the lives of those around us. We remember with thanks all that has been as we look forward to all that will be in the year that lies ahead
On the 1st of January we celebrate two things the feast of Mary the Mother of God as well as world day of prayer for peace in the world. While we exchange the new year greetings with each other we should try to lend a Christian understanding to this custom making of these greetings an expression faith in that regard there is no better teacher of faith than Mary the Mother of Jesus.
Mary teaches us that being a disciple of Jesus is a matter of the heart: contemplating Jesus and allowing his presence to transform the thoughts, words and actions of our lives. There is a mosaic in the Rosary Basilica in Lourdes which tells us through Mary to Jesus and that is what Mary is all about pointing all of us in the right direction towards Jesus her Son .On this feast we ask a special favour of Mary our mother and intercessor: that the love we have for Jesus her son will Grow in our hearts and lives!
Also we continue to pray for peace in our own lives in our countries and in the world. We live in a world where so many people are at war and we ask god to bless his people with peace of heart mind and soul during 2020. As We thank God for all that has been over the last year we pray through the intercession of Mary mother of the Church that God will be present with us in the good bad, happy and sad times we might encounter in the year that is ahead and give us the strength to continue our faith journeys wherever they may lead us.
Fullerton T 