January 8, 2023
Dear Parish Family:
Happy Epiphany! Today we celebrate the manifestation of the Baby Jesus to the world by the star and the three kings who searched for and found him. Traditionally, the Epiphany is on January 6, the 12th Day of Christmas. But in many parts of the world it is moved to the first Sunday after January 1.
While Christmas Day always occurs on December 25, the date of Easter changes each year. After much debate, the Church decided that Easter would be the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox (an association with Jewish Passover), which means Easter can fall on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. From that date, many important feasts of the Church year are then scheduled for the year.
Before yearly calendars were printed—and way before Google and Outlook calendars— there needed to be a way to let people know when these “movable” feasts would be. So on the Epiphany, the important dates for that year were “proclaimed” at Mass with a formal announcement. Here is the Epiphany Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts for 2023.
Know, dear brothers and sisters, that, as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, so by leave of God’s mercy we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection, who is our Savior.
· On the 22nd day of February will fall Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season.
· On the 9th day of April you will celebrate with joy Easter, the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.
· On the 18th day of May will be the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
· On the 28th day of May will be the feast of Pentecost.
· On the 3rd day of December the First Sunday of the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Think about what the important dates of your life will be this year. What are the birthdays, anniversaries, memorials, etc. that you will celebrate. Allow God to be part of them. May this year be a good one for all of us.
Love, grace, peace, and joy to you.
Father Neil Sullivan
P.S. For important dates coming up in our Parish, look on page 9 of this week’s bulletin.