May the grace and peace of God the Father and of Jesus, our Savior, who was born in Bethlehem, whom we celebrate and in whom God makes himself visible to us, be with you.
Dear brothers and sisters, it has been my wish, my prayer, and my hope that you have been well and have had a joyful Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve celebration with your loved ones. And may you continue to live and celebrate this liturgical season of Christmas, which is now drawing to a close with the Feast of the Epiphany.
We have reached that moment when we look back and reflect on the past year, the things we did, the things we couldn’t do, the things we wish had been different, and perhaps also rejoice in the things we know were a blessing to us and, in many ways, we were a blessing to others.
But we are beginning a new chapter: the year 2026. There are things all around us that tell us we must be prepared for this year because new challenges and blessings will come. But this Sunday’s Gospel reminds us that there are different ways in which God prepares us so that we can bring good news to everyone.
As we begin this year, I ask God that everyone may find the wisdom, strength, and peace they need to see how God is present in their lives, in their ministries, and how they can be a presence of God, a light to all nations, for the people they encounter along the way.
The story tells us that the three kings, or the Magi, or the wise men who are called by different names in the Gospel, returned by a different route; they were no longer the same. And I believe this means that you and I, like them, in encountering God made flesh in Jesus Christ, are transformed and empowered to face the challenges of this life, uniting our dreams and our hopes in the One who can give us life, who can give us hope, and who can show us the way.
My prayer is that you will have a year full of blessings and a peace that surpasses all understanding, and that, more than anything, the love of God dwelling in your hearts will cast out any fear you may have, and give you the freedom to be who God called you to be — His sons and daughters, witnesses of God’s love in the world.
Thank you for all the support you have given throughout 2025. Thank you for your prayers, your presence, your trust, and your love. I thank God for you, for the leaders of this intercultural community, for our staff, and for the many volunteers who dedicate their time, talents, and love to the various ministries we have. Thank you, God, for the things that we do not know that this year will bring, and for those things we do know that God will give us, because God always surprises us with His grace.
May the peace of the Prince of Peace be with you, my brothers and sisters. We will see each other in 2026, walking together as one family, one intercultural Catholic community; we are Mission San Luis Rey Parish.
Fr. Lalo Jara, OFM
Pastor, Mission San Luis Rey Parish
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