Father Bill says...Holy Family Sunday

to: all of my friends
from: Father Bill Muench

for Holy Family Sunday


What a wonderful celebration Christmas was this year – both Churches were decorated so wonderfully – and each of the Masses was filled with simply wonderful music – I was so blessed to have so many great helpers – from the decorators to the musicians to all those who assisted at the liturgies – I just sat back and enjoyed the whole celebration – God has been so good to me to have such great people to work with.

Again, this year I used the same story over again – it has been twelve years (how old are you, William?) since Susan and Paul invited me to the birth of their second child – and I still remember each and every detail – I was so totally impressed with the dedication and love of these two young parents – in the homily I remembered the sharing of hopes and dreams for this new born child – and I am certain that such was the same sharing about the new born Jesus on that first Christmas night – the children’s Mass this year was filled with many babies and little ones – seemed like more than usual – I don’t usually notice the various noises that come from them during the Mass – but I did notice during my homily when a little voice cried out – “Father Bill, I love you” – talk about a “you made my day” moment.

Holy Family Sunday


The Sunday after Christmas is always dedicated to the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph – it is a time for family renewal – a time for prayer for all families but most especially, families that are having problems or difficulties, for broken families – I will not indulge in all sorts of advice in my homily – but I do have one reminder that I like to repeat – and that comes from the Marriage Encounter people – “a Father loves his children best by loving their Mother” – that importance of the relationship of a husband and wife, a father and mother is of so basic and necessary – it makes a family all that it should be – and I remember well and more than once – a grown child telling me the reason their family was so close and loving and wonderful was the true loving relationship of their father and mother.

I also plan to remind the people of my parishes that we should and must be a family as a parish. This means that our community must be characterized by love and concern – that we truly care about each other – and that we really get to know each other. I will mention the importance of greeting each other at the grocery store or in the school parking lot – or wherever – and as a family that we are even concerned about visitors or strangers who join our family at Mass.

Holy Family Sunday is a very special day – I pray that your family will always be blessed with love and peace – I pray that we – although separated by a distance will be family to each other – and may all be united every closely as a part of the family of Our God.

LET US PRAY

Almighty God, my Father – I pray that you will touch me with you love – and make me part of your family – watch over my family – and watch over all the families of my parishes – this is my prayer. Amen.

Please join me as we say together the Lord’s Prayer.