Christ is our Hope and Hope does not disappoint!

Merry Christmas, everyone!  Christ is our Hope and Hope does not disappoint!  While the worldwide Jubilee Year of Hope concludes this weekend, our Hope goes on!  I pray that this Holy Year has been an opportunity for you and your family to grow in this great virtue.  We are on our way to heaven.  Our true and lasting Hope is eternal life!  However, we live this Hope each day.  I pray that the New Year 2026 will inspire us to bring Hope to more and more people!

On this Feast of the Holy Family, we are so blessed to have an active Marriage and Family Life ministry that provides Holy Hours for parents and children and special events speakers throughout the year.   We are so blessed that Father Carlos serves the Movimiento Familiar Cristiano Católico - a movement of thousands of Hispanic families to grow their hope in Christ as good husbands, wives, and parents.  We are so blessed that our Deacons Chris Kennedy, Matthew Brend, and David Talafuse offer hope throughout the year to both engaged and newlywed couples, as well as to families in crisis. And we are so blessed to have an enduring partnership with Catholic Charities and Saint Vincent de Paul Society to help families in need.  

I recall what Bishop Golka wrote to renew the mission of married and family life in his beautiful Pastoral Letter:  Christ our Hope. “Marriages and families need our prayers and support. I ask the faithful of the Diocese to pray for marriages and families that they may have the courage and strength to be a witness of Christ's love for his Church in our world today. When we see families with children at Mass, encourage them and welcome them, as these families are the future of the Church and are the first seminaries for all vocations.  Marriage and family life should be strengthened by ongoing formation and catechesis so couples can better know and live out their vocation of life and love.”  

We do all that and more here at Saint Francis!  Keep up the great work!  May Jesus bless you with Hope in the exciting New Year!

CORRECTION:  While the Jubilee Year of Hope officially concludes January 6, 2026, the Closing of the Holy Doors around the world, including ours here at Saint Francis, occurs December 28, 2025.  In fact, at this time, all Holy Doors close with the exception of Saint Peter in Rome.  You may still, however, obtain the indulgences associated with the Jubilee Year thru January 6.  We apologize for any confusion. 

Fr. Mark Zacker 

Pastor