Sometimes people forget that our faith tradition, which is called the Judeo-Christian Tradition, is based in history and is the story of the experiences of God and human kind. The written words which are in the Bible that we call Sacred Scripture tell the various stories or “narrative” of this experience. We are not what are called a “nature based” religious tradition. We do, however, include within our experiences nature and all its wonder and power.

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Mary Parish,

I hope this past week was a little easier for you as we continue to negotiate our way through the overall lessening of the Pandemic and the necessary protocols and rules which we follow out of concern for others and also for ourselves. I think the much longer days of sunlight and the increasing outdoor temperature help all of us to adopt a better attitude about life. We still are weighed down by the terrible situation of death, injury, destruction and violence in the Country of Ukraine. We must earnestly pray for the end of all this war-like violence and that all governmental leaders will actively pursue peace. May Our Lady intercede at the Heavenly Throne to bring peace to everyone who suffers from war or violence.

We have learned from the teachings of Pope Francis that God’s middle name must be “mercy” and also that for us to be His people we must rely completely on His mercy which he offers to each one of us. Indeed in many ways our motto in life could be the singular word “mercy”. Mercy must be the sign and hallmark of who we are who claim to walk in the Way of Jesus Christ. We must work hard to make mercy an everyday reality in our lives. This does not mean we simply feel bad for people and have a good thought for them, rather it is living in and loving our world with all its good, its flaws, its successes, it struggles, and in the very end of it all showing kindness to anyone whether we believe the person merits it. Mercy does not measure kindness, mercy is simple kindness itself.

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Mary Parish,

Daylight Saving Time gives all of us a beautiful benefit of additional sunlight in the evening. Life simply changes for the better when we have evening daylight. The burdens and problems may be the same, but we find it easier to carry or solve our concerns or problems. Please enjoy the growing evening light and twilight.

In the verses from the Book of Genesis just before those of today’s reading, Abram has come near to the end of his rope. He is so disappointed and frustrated that he and Sarai have not been able to have Children. Surprisingly, God responds to Abram’s searBh for an answer from out of the night sky. In the starlight of the night, God makes a Covenant with Abram. This is very different from the usual Covenant of the weak being obliged to the powerful, rather in this Covenant the powerful, namely God is obliged to the weak, namely Abram. In it, God makes it very clear that Abram does not have to do anything to earn God’s generosity of descendants and land. In fact, all Abram has to do is have faith and trust that God will act on his behalf. In a sense it is quite simple: God promises, Abram trusts, and the Covenant is fulfilled.

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Mary Parish,

On Wednesday of this coming week, we will be gathering in our church to receive our ashes as we spiritually prepare ourselves during Lent for the Great Feasts of Holy Week culminating with the Feast of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus on Easter Sunday. On Ash Wednesday Mass and the Distribution of Ashes will take place in our church at 7:00am and also 7:00pm; there will also be a Simple Distribution of Ashes at Noon in our Church. We will be approaching the sanctuary to receive ashes as a symbolic action to mark our desire to try to live a better life as a follower of Jesus Christ. The ashes on our foreheads are to mark our inner heart of repentance for our wrongdoing and our desire to live a better life in Jesus Christ.

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Mary Parish,

In following the Directives of the State and of the Archdiocese, we will be changing protocols and policies for in-church attendance starting with Ash Wednesday. (FYI: the real effective date is two days before on February 28th.) In light of the Cardinal’s decisions and promulgation, our procedures going forward for this Parish for the foreseeable future are based upon advice from the Pastoral and Ministerial Staff, Health Care Experts, Eucharistic Ministers, involved Parishioners and some common sense.

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Mary Parish,

During this past week I read in two articles in unrelated journals that a distinctive element of English culture is that the English people can chat forever about weather. I guess as a New Englander who obviously is indirectly influenced by that originating dominant culture, I clearly share that characteristic as my weekly letters often chat a bit about weather! To break the pattern or mold, no mention of weather this week!

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Mary’s,

Last week’s mega-storm certainly showed us that we do live in a climate that has extremes. I am glad that people were sensible and stayed in on Saturday as the storm raged and very cautiously emerged on Sunday. I am also glad that so many folks thought it was good common sense to close the church building all day last Saturday. The Storm clean up took a few days and our Town DPW worked very hard to make our roads and sidewalks as safe as possible. Thank you. Our private crew who does our property worked an unbelievable amount of hours to get things cleared as much as possible. Between using plows, front end loaders, shovels and ice melt our property got cleared. I hope you were able to get your driveways and sidewalks in good shape.

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Mary Parish,

This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday in ordinary Time in our Church year and so we can tell by that number 4 we are stepping along in our year and in our life. It is wonderful to see strong daylight after the 4 PM Mass each Saturday. Bit by bit we are progressing forward. Winter is probably more than half over at this point. Most likely we have pushed by halfway mark for ice and snow. We do have to wait for our famous groundhog to appear and gives us the prediction for the full length of winter! Just remember each day we step one day more forward to the end of winter and the final day Pandemic Emergency. All journeys begin with the first step and happen step by step. Thus we need to step into each day with faith and strength.

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Mary Parish,

Not only does our response to the COVID Pandemic keep us closer to home, this winter weather of bitter cold, snow, and ice also motivate us to stay inside and hibernate. Later January and all of February really are the times when our homes are our sanctuary. About 60 years ago a famous Monsignor in our Archdiocese once said: “the snow always melts.” This quote can be very helpful for all of us. It can keep us going and enduring and also help us get to better times.

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Mary Parish,

During this past week or so the season of winter has arrived in full force. The snow storm last week was a dramatic reminder that we live in New England and that winter does happen here. These days we are enduring the bitter, bitter cold. We sometimes forget that our winter really takes full shape and force during the months of January and February. So, all of us may need to wear an extra layer when in our houses because heating systems are not designed for almost zero degree outdoor weather and also when we go out, hats, gloves, scarfs and multiple layers of clothes are the only way to go. Our four season weather helps influence our underlying philosophy of life here in New England. We need to be prepared and then as they say in today’s idiom: just lean into it.

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Mary Parish,

This past week I had some minor surgery which has laid me for most of this week and keeping me from my regular duties and tasks. Thus this letter is to wish you and those you hold close in your hearts “a Blessed and Happy New Year” and next week I will return to my regular more informative letter. I have, however, prepared and written my Weekly Pastoral Reflection.

A Blessed New year!

Father Brian

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Mary Parish,

This past weekend we celebrated the beautiful Feast of Christmas, the Nativity of the Lord Jesus. Our mangers scenes, both outside and inside the church show us that Mary, Joseph and the shepherds are all looking at Jesus in wonder and awe. Their gazing at Jesus should help to remind us that we too need to always be looking for Jesus in our lives. In the coming days as we return to our more usual pattern after the New Year’s, remember that our faith is about Jesus and do not get distracted by other matters.