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"Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime." – Martin Luther King Jr.

At this special time of year, we have books to inspire and delight you. Accompany your little ones 'On the Road to Emmaus' or through 'Via Lucis: The Way of the Light'. Or perhaps, reflect with Fr Michael on the Gospel resurrection narratives in 'Alive'.

A message from our Provincial on the Feast of the Epiphany

A message from our Provincial on the Feast of the Epiphany

Posted: Wed, 6 Jan 2021 14:30

A message from our Provincial on the Feast of the Epiphany

Feast of the Epiphany 2021

Arise, shine out Jerusalem, for your light has come,
the glory of the Lord is rising on you,
though night still covers the earth
and darkness the peoples.
Is 60: 1-2

The first reading of the mass of the Epiphany contains this passage from Isaiah. The sentiments it expresses, seem appropriate as we move towards the end of the Christmas season and into a new year.
The dawn seems to be coming up earlier and brighter each morning. Despite the remnants of snow and ice in some parts of the country, the Winter sunshine is streaming through in bright, clear, crisp mornings offering us warmth and succour; the daylight hours are lengthening imperceptibly; the nights are slowly drawing out; the darkness is gradually receding.
This is very much in tune with Isaiah's vision that God's chosen people will experience better days, after their traumatic exile, including the rebuilding of their place of worship, the re-sanctification of the sabbath and more favourable economic conditions.

As we enter another period of lockdown, I am sure that many of us will be suffering the same feelings of disorientation and disconnection that we experienced in the first lockdown. Disconnection from our places of worship, as well as from our families and our communities, can be painful and cause us significant anxiety.

One of the highlights of the past eighteen months, for me, was the visit of the Rector Major, Don Angel Fernandez Artime, to Great Britain in November 2019. His light, as the successor of Don Bosco, certainly burned brightly during his time among us. It was also clear that he himself was deeply touched and animated by the those he met on his journey around the country, especially the young people. His strenna (motto) for 2021 is:

Moved by hope:
"See, I am making all things new" (Rev 21:5)

Let us renew our hope, on this great feast of the Epiphany, that he who was promised can help us transform our world, following the invitation of Oscar Romero, echoed by Pope Francis, that 'we aspire not to have more but to be more' and, in so doing, ultimately build a better world.

Can I wish you and your families a peaceful new year?

Happy Feast day.

Fr Gerry Briody SDB

Provincial GBR

Image by Sebastiano Iervolino on Pixabay

Tags: Homepage, Salesian Sisters, Salesian Youth Ministry, Salesians of Don Bosco