Fr. Tom’s Letters

Happy Epiphany! Blessed 2026!

The Solemnity of the Epiphany includes the themes of journey and gifts. We are very familiar with the gifts of the Magi: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Each has a symbolic meaning. The gift of gold is a recognition of his kinship, gold a traditional gift of royalty. Frankincense, an aromatic resin was used in worship and symbolizes Jesus’ divinity, and his role as high priest making sacrifice and representing humanity before the Father. Myrrh is a burial spice and foreshadows Jesus’ suffering, death, and burial pointing ultimately to his resurrection

I want to thank the parish for your many gifts and expressions of generosity these past weeks of Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas. The outpouring of food, Christmas gifts, and financial support for both the Sponsor a Family efforts for Thanksgiving and Christmas was phenomenal. Our efforts in total supported more than 1500 families during this special time of the year. Thank you to all the donors and all those who organized the effort. Collecting food, storing it, packaging it, delivery to different locations all demonstrated a very strong collaborative and communal spirit. It is edifying, humbling, and encouraging to be part of such a large and successful effort.

Thank you also to those who prepared the Church for Christmas. New trees, noticed by many, the bright red healthy poinsettias, the outdoor decorations, the manger scene takes many hours to prepare and set in place. A very special thanks to all those who create such a beautiful Christmas environment that enhances all our Christmas celebrations.

Thank you also for the wonderful generosity for the Christmas offering and collection. Already the Christmas collection is at $158,229. and will continue to increase in the weeks ahead. All through the year, parishioners continue to be very generous. We are able to provide all our services, ministries, activities, and support to those in need because of your generosity. I am very grateful for your generous giving.

Advent and Christmas is a special time in the Church. It is also a very busy time for all who serve, minister, and work at the parish and school. Combining both the parish and school, St. Anne’s employees 70 people. This includes college students who have just started their employment here and people who have been working here for 40 + years. We have a great team and together all the various staff with various responsibilities combine their efforts to “pull it all together”. I am very grateful To work with such a dedicated group of people and I encourage parishioners to join with me in gratitude for all the parish and school staff.

On this Solemnity of the Epiphany, we realize that the Lord has gifted us with a beautiful parish and parishioners! Thank you all!

THE EPIPHANY JOURNEY

In the spirit of the magi, I will journey on Monday to Eastern Point Retreat House for an annual eight day retreat. I have shared with you before how much I enjoy the prayer and the quiet, the reflection, and the silence, the reading and the chapel time during these eight days in Gloucester. It is a highlight of the year and I am looking forward to being on retreat as we celebrate the concluding week of the Christmas Season before celebrating the Baptism of the Lord next Sunday, marking the end of the Christmas Season. I will pray for the parish and parishioners during these days and appreciate your prayers.

It has been a blessed Christmas Season and we look forward to a peaceful and healthy 2026!

Peace and Blessings!