Fr. Tom’s Letters

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. With the conclusion of today’s feast, we return to Ordinary Time on the church liturgical calendar. The Christmas Season concludes with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and we take up the procession of weeks that are marked by the Sundays. With tomorrow, Monday, January 12, we are in the first week of Ordinary Time as there is no first Sunday of Ordinary Time, next Sunday, January 18, is the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time.

Ordinary Time will continue until Wednesday, February 18, Ash Wednesday. During Ordinary Time we will hear gospel stories describing Jesus’ public ministry. Note how the gospels of the beginning of Ordinary Time very much focus on the healing ministry of Jesus. Along with the call to repent, the proclamation of the presence of the Kingdom of God, the healing work of Jesus forms the essential building blocks of Jesus’ ministry. As a Church and parish we seek to remain close to these foundation stories that Jesus created and set forth for the Church.

Of course, the Baptism of Jesus allows us to reflect on our own experience of the Sacrament of Baptism. Baptisms are such significant and happy occasions. Baptism marks the beginning of our Christian life, removes the stain of original sin and the grace of the sacrament helps prepare us for the journey of life ahead.

Baptism is a sign of growth both for a family and the church and a parish. The choice of godparents, Catholics, one male and one female, is often an invitation given in love and respect for the godparent. Customarily, there are two godparents, both Catholic, and when two are chosen, one male and one female. No two same gender godparents. Only one godparent is required; Catholic, baptized and confirmed, and living a life in accord with our Catholic faith.

We baptized 117 persons in 2025 at St. Anne’s. The babies range from a few weeks to two years. It is advisable to schedule a baptism within six months of a child’s birth. I was baptized on March 21, 1954 at St. Thomas the Apostle. I remember the first Baptism I celebrated as a priest on May 27, 1991, an emergency Baptism at Winthrop Hospital. The baby was my newborn nephew who recovered from this illness. I was both baptizer and godfather!

CHRISTMAS GENEROSITY

Our Christmas collection continues to increase. Our collection is now at $240,401, which surpasses last year’s total of $238,027. Many thanks to all the parishioners who were exceedingly generous this Christmas. As noted last week, this exceedingly generous spirit was expressed in all sorts of ways through the Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas seasons. Thank you very much!

RETREAT

I am away from the parish this weekend for an annual retreat at Eastern Point Retreat House in Gloucester, Massachusetts. I will pray for the parish and our parishioners in a most intentional way during this retreat. I am blessed to be here as a priest; we are very blessed as a parish.

Just prior to leaving for retreat, I learned that Father Richard Donovan passed away. Father Donovan served as a priest at St. Anne’s for many years in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. Many of his retirement years were spent at Our Lady of Lourdes, Malverne. As I write this bulletin letter this past Monday, the arrangements for Fr. Donovan’s funeral are not yet complete. Grateful we are Fr. Donovan’s priesthood and his years of service at St. Anne’s. May he rest in peace!

Have a Blessed Week!