Welcome to the New Year. I pray, as we have concluded the Jubilee Year of Hope, that 2026 will build upon the grace of hope that has been shared with you and that the peace of Christ will always remain in your heart throughout this year. May you receive abundant blessings throughout this year.
This year our nation will celebrate its 250th anniversary, the semi-quincentennial! Perhaps in this New Year you can spend time with the saints and the holy women and men of God who have reminded us of the blessings of liberty and the role that we play to be voices of justice throughout the land. Our saints, and others, who have called this land their home, include the following.
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton converted to Catholicism after the death of her husband. She subsequently established the first Religious community of Women – The Sisters of Charity – in the United States. Her feast day is today, 4 January
- St. John Neumann was a member of the Redemptorist community and the fourth Bishop of Philadelphia. St. John’s feast day is tomorrow, 5 January
- St. Andre Bessette was a member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross. St. Andre worked in the United States as a mill worker for four years before joining the Holy Cross congregation. His passionate devotion to St. Joseph led to the establishment of the Oratory of St. Joseph in Montreal. St. Andre’s feast day is 6 January.
- St. Damien de Veuster and St. Marianne Cope engaged in a specialized ministry of health and hope to the lepers of Moloka’i. St. Damien’s feast day is 10 May; St. Marianne’s feast day is 23 January.
- St. Katharine Drexel was born in Philadelphia, and she used her sizable inheritance to organize educational institutions for Native Americans and Black Americans. St. Katherine’s feast day is 3 March.
- Pope Leo 14th is the first American born individual to be named as the Holy Father of the Roman Catholic Church. The anniversary of his election is 8 May.
- Pope St. Paul 6th in 1965 became the first Pope to visit the United States. His feast day is 29 May.
- St. Junipero Serra was a member of the Franciscan community who ministered to the native population in California. St. Junipero established the mission system in California stretching from San Diego to Sonoma. St. Junipero’s feast day is 1 July.
- St. Kateri Tekakwitha was a member of the Mohawk tribe who accepted the invitation of the French Jesuits to embrace the Catholic Faith. St. Kateri’s feast day is 14 July.
- Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos was a member of the Redemptorist community who served as a parish priest with St. John Neumann at a Pittsburgh, Subsequently, Blessed Francis Xavier became a missionary during the American Civil War. Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos’ feast day is 5 October.
- St. Isaac Jogues was a French Jesuit who ministered to the Native American population is New France. St. Isaac, and his companion Jesuit martyrs are celebrated on 19 October.
- Pope St. John Paul 2nd visited the United States on seven occasions including a treasured visit to Philadelphia in 1979. Pope St. John Paul’s feast day is 22 October.
- St. Frances Xavier Cabrini ministered to the Italian immigrant community. St. Frances Xavier established sixty-seven institutions including schools and hospitals. The feast day of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini is13 November.
- St. Rose Philippine Duchesne served the Potawatomi community and established schools for Native Americans west of the Mississippi. St. Rose’s feast day is 18 November.
- Mass Readings and reflection questions – Epiphany of the Lord – 4 January 2026 Cycle A Isaiah 60:1-6 – How bright is the light you are radiating? Are people able to walk in its radiance? / Describe the riches that have been emptied out before you. How well are you using those riches? Responsorial Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 – What is profound peace? How is it related to justice? / In what ways are you serving the Lord? Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 – What did God pick St. Paul’s generation to make known the Paschal Mystery? The 2000th anniversary of the Paschal Mystery is in 2033. What are the mysteries that God is making known in our generation? Matthew 2:1-12 – Do you enjoy star gazing? Why or why not / Are you good at following directions? What landmarks do you follow? Are you good at giving directions? / How has your encounter with Jesus this Christmas season encouraged you to follow another way?