Bishop Solis’ New Year’s Message

Friday, Dec. 27, 2024

Greetings of Christ’s peace and love! I join the people of God of our diocese as we Catholics join the rest of the world in ringing in the New Year 2025. On the first day of the year we fittingly give honor to the Blessed Virgin Mary for her distinct role in God’s plan of salvation, giving birth to Jesus, the promised Messiah. The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, is a holy day of obligation that recognizes the Church’s teaching that Jesus Christ is both true God and true man. It means that his divine nature and his human nature are inseparably united in what our faith calls the hypostatic union.

In God’s divine design, Jesus brought joy and peace to a sinful and broken world. He came as a light to illumine the path of humanity wallowing in the darkness of violence, confusion, hatred and suffering. Today, Christ comes to a world that has lost its moral compass and fallen under the spell of a materialism and individualism that denies and pushes away the notion of God, of heaven, and of eternal destiny.

So, amid all tribulations, confusion, and misery, we approach the new year with confident hope and joy. God never abandons us and never tires of reaching out to us. We can run away from him but not from his grace. He manifests his abiding presence and infinite love in Jesus, the Prince of Peace, the Light of the world, and our Good Shepherd who laid down his life for us.

In God’s providence, let us celebrate the New Year as “Pilgrims of Hope.” Our Holy Father declared 2025 a Jubilee Year. It is a time of prayer and grace to encounter the Lord’s boundless mercy and bring about renewal of faith and conversion of heart so we can live the Gospel fully. Pope Francis reminds us that our Church is a community of believers journeying toward God. He encourages us to pin our hope in God, a hope that does not fade nor disappoint. 

Furthermore, we have yet another reason to celebrate as we ring in the Year of Our Lord 2025. Our diocese welcomes the SEEK25 retreat, where thousands of Catholics, clergy, religious and laity will gather Jan. 1-5 at the Salt Palace as an evangelizing witness to the love given by Mary, our mother, and the peace that is Jesus. I encourage you to participate in the various events and activities planned within our diocese.

Let us begin the new year with hope and gratitude that God will fill our hearts with the gifts of his love, joy, and peace. Wishes of a holy and Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!