Dear friends,

As we continue on with the new year, many of us may have already taken time to reflect on our lives, on our priorities, and our relationships. We may have made some resolutions based on those. For instance, we may have made resolutions to improve ourselves, our health, our finances, our connections with others or to break bad habits. Those are all great, but for our parish, I want to call you to something more, something deeper: I want to call upon you to make a resolution to nurture a deeper relationship with our God this year.

This is essential because, in today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, especially its material aspect, and lose sight of what truly matters. It is a reality that we are bombarded with worldly concerns and priorities daily. Countering this by making a conscious effort to deepen your relationship with God is not only the right antidote but also actually the best option. If you do so, I assure you that you will find a great sense of purpose, comfort, and guidance that will stay with you throughout the year.

So this year, particularly as we near the completion of our beautiful Divine Mercy Perpetual Adoration Chapel and embark on the journey of Perpetual Adoration, I want to invite you to make a resolution that will transform your lives as individuals and as a parish forever. I want our collective resolution as a parish for this year to be: Growing closer to God through Perpetual Adoration.

Yes, the Eucharist is at the heart of our Catholic faith. It's the source of our strength and the source and summit of our faith. It is the sacrament that unites us most intimately with Christ, who remained continuously present in the Blessed Sacrament when it was instituted at the Last Supper to date and will be so forever. In the Eucharist, we receive the very Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus. We are nourished by His love, forgiven by His mercy, and transformed by His perpetual presence in the Blessed Sacrament.

So, how can we resolve to grow closer to God through the Eucharist this year? Here are a few suggestions I would like to make for you.

1. Spend time in Adoration*: As we begin Perpetual Adoration, commit to spending a regular hour with Jesus in the Adoration Chapel. Sit, kneel, or stand in silence, and let His presence transform you.
2. Attend Daily Mass: Whenever possible, attend Daily Mass to receive the Eucharist and be nourished by God's Word.
3. Reflect on the Mass: Take time to reflect on the Mass readings, prayers, and rituals. Meditate on the mysteries of the Eucharist, and let them sink deeper into your heart.
4. Read Eucharistic Scriptures: Read and reflect on Scripture passages that reveal the beauty and power of the Eucharist, such as John 6, Luke 24, and 1 Corinthians 11.
5. Pray Eucharistic Prayers: Recite prayers like the Anima Christi, the Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas, or the Divine Praises to deepen your devotion to the Eucharist.

As we embark on implementing this resolution of growing closer to God through the Eucharist, we can expect the following transformations to permeate every aspect of our lives:

• A deeper sense of peace and joy
• A stronger sense of purpose and direction
• A more profound understanding of God's love and mercy
• A greater desire to serve and love others
• A more intimate relationship with Jesus, our Lord and Savior
• A greater improvement in our relationships in our marriages and in our families

Finally, as we complete the construction of our Adoration Chapel (which will be blessed by Bishop Nevares on March 30, 2025) and begin Perpetual Adoration, I invite you to sign up as an adorer to ensure that once we begin the perpetual adoration, the Blessed Sacrament is never left alone. To sign up, please contact Deacon Chito and his lovely wife, Bea, via the parish offce. Together, let us resolve to deepen our devotion to the Eucharist and to allow its power and beauty to transform our lives.

May this new year bring us closer to the Heart of Jesus, and may our resolve to grow in Eucharistic devotion bear fruit in our lives, our families, and our parish. I love you!

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