Dear Friends in Christ,
As we begin a new year, the Old Testament Book of Numbers 6:24-26 provides us with words to
reflect on:
“The Lord bless you and keep you!
The Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!”
The Catholic Bible Dictionary tells us that in a blessing, God bestows “good things upon His
creatures.” The text goes on to remind us that “all goodness, all blessings, come from God.”
Importantly, we learn in the same text that “the blessing is fundamental to prayer; it is our
gratitude for God’s heavenly gifts. Prayer is a thanksgiving for the blessings from God and a
recognition of God’s love. We bless God for having blessed us.”
As the new year begins, let us thank God for all the blessings He has given us as well as ask for
His heavenly protection, guidance and well-being in 2023. We might also begin the new year by
sharing with each other the blessing we find in Numbers 6:24-26 so that we may, together,
rejoice in God’s goodness and care.
I ask God to bless our parish with joy, peace, good health, well-being, heavenly protection
from evil, abundant faith and much growth in 2023. On behalf of St. Peter’s Parish Staff, I wish
you all a blessed New Year 2023.
In Christ, Fr. Michael