We Are Blessed with Opportunities to Embrace Faith and Service in 2022

A new year is often the perfect time to take an inventory of our life, evaluate what we do well and when we are the happiest, and consider the ways we can improve ourselves. Here at St. Francis Xavier, a new year is an opportune time to do the same thing as a faith community.

“2020 and 2021 will go down in history as difficult times for our parish and many families and individuals in our community,” says Fr. Brian O’Brien. “But with God’s help, we made it through and things are looking brighter.”

Indeed, with over 30 people initiated into the Church, dozens baptized and dozens of couples married, 2021 was an exciting year of celebrating the sacraments at St. Francis Xavier. Our community continues to serve those in need through Catholic Charities, Love Thy Neighbor, and supporting the Center of Family Love. Through these examples of service, we encounter the Lord and grow with Him. In turn, we will only grow closer to the Lord as we continue to serve in the parish and community this year.

“Looking ahead to 2022, I am most excited for our January parish-wide Marian Consecration, the continued growth of RCIA, summer activities, and moving our stained glass window project forward,” Fr. O’Brien says. “In fact, I would not be surprised if we pass the 1,000-household mark in registered families by the end of this year.”

There are so many opportunities for parishioners to participate in ministries and other parish offerings in both English and Spanish. The Marian Consecration this month was facilitated by Jessica Petter, our new Director of Evangelization and Formation. Fr. O’Brien will also be offering a short series on The Gospel of Life, St. John Paul II’s 1995 encyclical on life issues. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament continues to grow, as do the Xavier Kids and Xavier Teens programs, and our ECDC.

Engaging in these opportunities and more in-person activities like Bible studies will foster further growth and participation in our faith. Although it is sometimes too easy to become stagnant in our routines, let us take this new year as an opportunity for each of us to add something new to our faith lives.

“Dive in!” Fr. O’Brien says. “There is nothing more important than our relationship with the Lord. Ask yourself, ‘Do I take my relationship with Christ seriously?’ If not, something needs to change. We must encounter Him over and over again. 2022 is the time!”