New Years Day Message, 2022
On this fresh new years day, with joyful anticipation we greet the new year that is 2022. We welcome its newness, hope, opportunity, potential and possiblities. This new years day is a time to dream, plan, make resolutions. A time to make way for novel blessings from God our creator.
Brendan Keneally, who returned to God this Autumn captures much of the hope of this time of beginning in an abbreviation of his his peom Begin.
“Begin”
Begin again to the summoning birds
to the sight of the light at the window,
…
Every beginning is a promise
born in light and dying in dark
determination and exaltation of springtime
…
Though we live in a world that dreams of ending
that always seems about to give in
something that will not acknowledge conclusion
insists that we forever begin.
Past and Future
The past few days of 2021 have been a time for looking back on the year gone past with gratitude in our hearts for the good times and also to salute the major challenges that we had in the course of that time.
Highlights of 2021
2021 has been another challenging year, yet again, with the Corona Virus dominating our landscape.
The past 21 months have shattered so many aspects of life and normal routine for so many. We remember those we have lost or have suffered greatly because of that. We salute the many who have heorically looked after us on the front line and behind.
Looking forward to 2022
Today however, we look forward with anticipation to the new year and pray that God will journey side by side with us and grant us and those in need good fortune and many blessings and most especially a gradual return to normal human interaction with healing from the global pandemic.
Blessing Time
Religiously we have been in the company of the Holy Family for the past week. The Child Jesus, born in Bethlehem on Christmas morning. Today, World day of Prayer for Peace is the feast of Mary Mother of God.
One of the best books I read this year was from Pope Francis, an inspiriging book looking to the future with spirit filled hope. The title being: Let us Dream. In our Church comunities we have begun a synodal pathway, journeying together in the name of Jesus Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit. I look forward to being on that journey together in the near future, this new year and beyond.
Prayer for the New Year
A special prayer for the new year runs:
Lord
As I quench the lamp
And close the door on the past year
May I find the words of gratitude
To honour this passing time
The gift of your design
For all that’s come and gone
For decisions right and wrong
For unsung songs
I offer words of thanks
For days when life had plenty
For nights when hearts were empty
For undiscovered plans
When all was ventured but nothing gained
Through struggle and through pain
May we learn to rise again
Now at this threshold time
Make our hearts refined.
Blessings for 2022
May the blessing of peace, happiness and contentment be yours and the lot of your loved ones in 2022 and always. Happy New Year! Bliain nua faoi shéan is faoi mhaise agus go mbeirimid beo an t-am seo arís agus gura seacht fearr a bheas muid ar an lá seo sa bhliain úr 2022 amach anseo!