Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

For the World Day of Peace 2026, which is on New Year's Day, Pope Leo XIV calls for an "unarmed and disarming" peace, urging rejection of violence and preparation for war, focusing on love, justice, dialogue, and disarmament as he emphasizes the vulnerable Christ Child as a model for world leaders and individuals to build a more humane future, building on themes from his first year as Pope. 

Let us pray for peace as we enter the New Year, 2026.

In an 1870 Christmas Sermon, Servant of God, Father Isaac Hecker, CSP, founder of the Paulist Fathers connected our desire for peace in the celebration of Christmas:

“O sweet infant Savior,

give to us that peace which you came to bring to the earth.

Peace to the young and the old, peace to the poor and the sick, peace to the sick and the sorrowful, peace to all who are in need. Peace on earth to all nations and

especially to your holy Church and to the Holy Father.

Peace to the world at war that your kingdom may begin!

Peace to all of good will, enlighten their minds to the truth,

unite them in your love that You may reign Lord,

in and through and overall. Amen.”

The Christmas Season continues this Sunday with the Epiphany, the feast of the Three Kings.

There is still time to participate in our parish’s Annual Christmas Appeal. The appeal allows our community to extend Christ’s love, compassion, and hope in the present day. No gift is too small. Every offering is a meaningful expression of gratitude and faith, enabling us to continue the mission entrusted to us: to welcome all wherever they are on their faith journey.

You may make your gift online at www.sp-apostle.org. We are deeply grateful we are for your kindness and commitment to our parish community.

Merry Christmas and Happy & Blessed New Year filled with peace!

Father Gil

HFor our immigrant sisters and brothers living in fear of deportation, may the Lord accompany them through the ministry of the Christian community:

For the healing, comfort, and peace of the sick, for Shirley Ruess, Sister Irene Wright, Melinda Nadres, Greg Tinsley, Jack & Vicki Phillips, Tel Ramon, Mary Pat Cooper, Todd Wiench, Bernadette Tee, Estrella and John Monzon, Charles Candel, Joan Doyle, Marisa Kavanau, Carol King Wolcott, John Wolcott, Angel Appleton, Clark Gassan, Lohriena Lohrie Counts, Nora McCormick Heinen, Weldon Tilley, Paul Lannan, Eileen Gaffney.

For the eternal rest of our beloved departed, Rich Puppione, Christie Farmer, Alfred Ruess, Christohper Hudlin, Alan Culver, Laura James, Anne Marie Hannick, Father Greg Goethals, SJ, Ron Schuster, Bobby Burks, Father Jack Lynch, CSP, Arlene Havel, Phil Duncan, Michele Kearin, Father Brad Schoeberle, CSP, Mary Tokuza, Haruko Hiromura, Donny Kie, Cesar Robeniol, Nellie Scholar, may they rest in peace.

For peace in every nation: may the light of the Holy Spirit transform hearts so that all may seek the way of peace together and comfort the wounded and grieving, let us pray to the Lord: